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How To Negotiate a Salary |
Should I take this job?Salary discussions usually take place when an offer is being made by the employer. However, it may be brought up sooner, especially if the employer is concerned that the organization may not be able to pay what you expect. It is best to research what other employees in the organization are making. This can be done by contacting alumni who work there and sometimes by seeking out annual reports and other company background information. Unionized papers have standardized salary scales. In some cases, you will be asked about your salary requirements. You should always have an amount in mind. It can be figured by making a budget for yourself that recognizes the cost of living in a given area. Be certain to remember student loan payments which generally kick-in six months after graduation. Employers may also ask for a salary history. If you want to be making significantly more than you were at your last job, have a well-prepared explanation of why you believe you deserve it. It is much better to say how much you learned at Columbia and how much more you now have to offer than to say you really need the money because you are now in debt. When an offer is made, you should not decide on the spot. Express your interest in the offer and ask when they need an answer. This is the time to get all the detailed information: salary, benefits, start date, vacation, relocation, gas reimbursement, etc. You will need to know all of this to make the right decision. There isn't a standard amount of time an organization is required to give you to make your decision. News organizations tend to want an answer quickly, between a couple of days and a week. Deciding if you are going to accept an offer can be difficult. It is tempting to jump at the first viable opportunity that presents itself. However, you should evaluate the many facets of a position before deciding. You shouldn't just consider salary or the prestige of the news organization. You should think about what your daily responsibilities will be, your impression of the publication or show, your impressions of co-workers and supervisor, and the opportunities for growth. Will this position help you achieve your long-range goals? If you feel that an offer is very low and know that others in comparable positions at the organization make more, politely explain why you feel the offer is too low and ask for more. Make certain that you have some basis for what you are asking. A higher offer to a friend at another organization or in another part of the country should not serve as a gauge. Most employers have some flexibility to negotiate salary. Here are a few tips on negotiating salary from the authors of "Interview for Success": 1. Salaries are normally assigned to positions rather than to individuals. Your task is to negotiate a higher salary because you as an individual will perform better than the average person in the position. 2. Never immediately accept a salary offer. Sleep on it for 24-48 hours during which time you should consider your options. 3. In salary negotiations, you are doing business. It's your talent for the employer's money. It is best to treat it as a business transaction. 4. Your basic goal in salary negotiations is cash, not benefits. Benefits tend to be standard, i.e. they come with the job regardless of your negotiating ability. 5. If you can't reach agreement on a salary figure, try to negotiate other terms of employment, such as special benefits, new job description, promise to review your salary in six months rather than one year. It is okay to refuse an offer if you can't afford it or it isn't going to help you meet your career goals. Please seek out the assistance of the Career Services Office and the faculty if you need assistance with this process. Read more on negotiating... Read more on salary resources... Cost of Living Information and more sites to help you calculate salary Salary Articles |
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