Negotiating salary: 6 expert tips to help you get more money

Unhappy with your salary? With these 6 professional tips, your salary negotiation will be a success. This is how you get more out of it!

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Are you dissatisfied with your salary? Instead of letting it drag on month after month and silently complaining about not being paid fairly, you should take action now. Because just arguing won't change your financial situation.

It is unlikely that your employer will approach you on their own initiative and offer you a raise. Your success is entirely in your hands - so now is the time to take courage and strategically prepare your salary negotiation.

We share six essential tips and tricks with you that will help you have a successful conversation with your manager. This is how you get the most out of it!

#1 Negotiate salary: The right time

Basically, you can say that you should negotiate salary every one to two years. First of all, it is crucial to choose the right time. It is advisable to either wait for an appraisal interview or to arrange an appointment with your boss yourself. It's best to choose a time when things are going well for the company economically. Then your supervisor will be in a better mood.

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Even if you have just successfully completed a project, it makes sense to start negotiating your salary. If things are not going well in the company at the moment and the numbers are falling or there are fewer sales, for example, it is better to wait before negotiating your salary.

#2 Negotiate salary: Preparation is key

Another important point for successful salary negotiations is preparation. You should first collect good arguments before you start talking to your boss. For example, if you were able to increase sales or were involved in a successful project, the chances of a salary increase are very good.

It also makes sense to research what the average salary is for your own job. It's worth finding out the industry average on job portals like kununu or exchanging ideas with colleagues who do a comparable job. However, there are also regional differences, some of which need to be taken into account.

#3 Negotiate salary: Formulate salary target

In addition to arguments in favor of a salary increase, you should also set a salary target. How much more salary are you aiming for? In addition to a maximum goal, you should also formulate a clear minimum goal for yourself. But how much more wages is there anyway?

The usual rate is around three to eight percent if you stay in your position and don't make a significant career leap or change jobs.

You have better chances if you give a realistic salary expectation. You should always keep in mind that you want to stay with the company for a while.

If you give an unrealistic or too high salary, it won't go down well with your boss. A gradual approach to a salary target, for example over one to two years, can also be a good way to end up with the desired salary.

#4 Negotiate salary: Stay professional in the conversation

Similar to a job interview, there are some important behaviors that you should adhere to when negotiating a salary with your boss. It's best to start with a little small talk before you start formulating your salary. If you state your desired salary too bluntly, it could come across as rude.

You should remain focused and professional in the conversation. Attitude in a salary negotiation is very important. You should formulate your salary requirements confidently and be aware of your strengths and abilities. When you sit opposite your boss, you have to keep your posture. It is important to maintain eye contact and not be shy or speak quietly.

It's best to remember a few important points to give the conversation a common thread. Notes are also allowed. Especially if your salary negotiation takes place online, it's a good idea to keep a few notes in sight. However, only the most important bullet points should be visible. Sometimes just knowing that the notes are within sight is enough to give you a good feeling. At the end of the conversation, you can take a quick look at your notes to check whether you addressed all the points that were important to you.

#5 Negotiate salary: Sleep on it one night

As with many important decisions in life, it's worth sleeping on it for a night after a salary negotiation. If you've received a counteroffer from your manager, ask him or her for some time to think about it. This especially makes sense if the salary negotiation relates to a new job.

Since you shouldn't constantly renegotiate and especially not during the probationary period, you have to be content with the money that was agreed upon for a while. Especially when it comes to an issue as important as salary, some time to think about it is extremely important. Sleeping on it for a night will help you make a decision with a fresh mind.

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#6 Negotiate salary: Request written confirmation

Regardless of how the salary negotiation turns out, you should insist that you put the result in writing. You can summarize all the points of the conversation that are relevant to you in an email to your boss. If you haven't reached your desired salary target, you should make a plan for when you will go back into the negotiation.

It's important to stick with it. If it didn't work out the way you expected, you can also think about what you can do better next time. You can also use the time to collect even more arguments. It's best to always write down your successes so that you can mention them in your salary expectations.

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We hope we were able to help you with your salary negotiation with our tips and wish you much success in the conversation with your boss.