Welcome to CB’s work-advice column Emily Durhama senior recruiter based in toronto YoursPublic speaker and content creator known for her funny and add-on TIC Toc About all things work. Each month, Durham will answer reader questions on topics that affect our ability to thrive in our jobs, and she’ll offer her real-world insight into how to tackle even the most rock-and-hard-place conundrums. Is. Have a work related question? send it to editor@canadianbusiness.com,
Q: I’m in the middle of negotiating a salary at a new job and the hiring manager has offered me an amount that I’m comfortable with. How do I negotiate a higher salary without turning off the employer and potentially losing the offer?
As a recruiter, I see firsthand that conversations about money can be uncomfortable—especially with people early in their careers. Candidates often shy away from asking questions about salary for fear that they will be thought to be in it only for the money. But your compensation matters—after all, most of us wouldn’t be working if we won the lottery. (And, guess what: a really good recruiter.) Wants To talk about compensation.)
One of my top rules is that it is never too early in the interview process to talk about salary. As a first outreach to a recruiter or hiring manager, ask what the budget is for the role to make sure you don’t price yourself too high (or too low). do it Earlier You share your salary expectations. If the company insists on providing you a salary range first, it may be due to not knowing their budget internally. Although not a good practice, only tell them the starting point of your salary range—not the upper limit. Use language like, “I would need at least X-amount of money to consider a move.”
When recruiters ask you about your expectations, come prepared and confident. Candidates should always back up their Ask with data from sites like glass door And pay scale Salaries on average across various industries and roles. The ranges may also be specific to your geographic location—for example, a salary in Toronto may be different from a salary in Vancouver. I recommend writing down these numbers for easy reference in job discussions.
If you’ve done all of this and the salary you’re being offered is still too low, it’s time to negotiate. salary negotiation This is always best done over the phone, video call or in person whenever possible. This helps avoid the potential for misunderstandings that an email can bring. Begin the conversation with the recruiter or hiring manager by expressing your gratitude and appreciation for their time and consideration. Emphasize your passion and desire to advance your career by joining their company. Then, clearly communicate that you are looking for a salary in a specific range. Ask direct questions: “Is there any opportunity for us to align on this?”
“Salary negotiations are always done over the phone, video call or in person whenever possible”
Many people use this time to reiterate their skills and experience to push the case for a higher salary range. silence is one of them best conversation tool As research shows this forces the other person to absorb what you just said, coming up with a more meaningful response. After making your pitch, stop and see what the recruiter has to say.
Remember, negotiation is part of almost every job offer so do No Don’t feel guilty or ashamed for advocating for what you want. And know you’re not alone: Today, the percentage of job seekers willing to pay less than what they’re currently earning is at its lowest five years, On average, job seekers are expecting to make 34 percent more Compared to his current salary in his next role. The employer should be aware of this and be ready to make compromises.
After you’ve shared your expectations, it’s the hiring manager’s responsibility to go back to the company’s executive team to see what’s possible. Often, there are multiple decision makers who need to approve any adjustments to the proposal, so it may take a few days or more to receive a response. The employer may come back with the offer of your dreams… or they may not. If they haven’t been able to meet your expectations, however, they should never rescind your offer because you asked for more money.
Knowing when it’s time to walk away from a job opportunity is just as important as knowing what you’re willing to accept. If you are in a position to say “no thanks” to an offer, remember to do so with gratitude. Again, having these conversations in real time, such as over the phone, is ideal. You can use the opportunity to thank the employer for their time and express your desire to keep in touch – you never know when your paths may cross again.
Remember, negotiation plays a big role in the interview process, so any organization that doesn’t help you advocate for your salary is probably not the place for you. You can feel good knowing that you have given them the data and tools to provide feedback and feedback. After all, if you don’t ask, you’ll always wonder what could have been. Get behind it!
