How to Negotiate Salary for First-Timers

Salary negotiation will be one of the most critical aspects of landing a job. Many candidates do not get it right, failing to maximize the available opportunity due to their lack of understanding of the process,

and this will be especially true for candidates with no previous work experience. Salary negotiation is a double-edged sword. It will be a step in the hiring process you will be very excited about in anticipation of the high pay you will receive and a moment you will regret forever if the pay does not live up to your expectations and you end up accepting the offer.

That is why you should not accept the salary offered without thinking twice. Recruiters will typically invite you to negotiate the salary offered. At this point, they would like to know more about your salary expectations.

Salary negotiation is also likely to be the last stage before you are hired. It means the decision to hire you has not been made until you and the company agree on one figure.

Based on several sources, there are several key considerations when negotiating a salary. Basically, you will want to avoid being too hasty during the negotiation in order to get the right amount of pay.

5 Tips for Negotiating Salary for the First Time

Research the Pay Range

After receiving the invitation for salary negotiation, first and foremost, you will want to find as much information as you can about the range of the salary you will get for the position you are applying for. Thanks to the internet, that information is a search away.

At the very least, you should know how much the mandatory minimum wage is for the region. You can also use the internet to find out more specifically about the salary range for the company you are applying to. This way, during the negotiation, you can have a more specific idea of how much the salary is so you can negotiate for the one that matches your expectations.

Do Not Say Yes to the First Offer

At this stage in the hiring process, recruiters usually have specific amounts the company will give you. However, they will put forth one at a time before you and the company reach an agreement.

That is why you should not say yes to the first offer made because the first figure will typically be the lowest one they can give you, you should negotiate for a higher number.

Let Them Know How Much You Expect

Every candidate has their own expectations about how much they will receive, especially if the company they are applying to is a big company that serves the whole country.

If this is the case, letting them know about your salary expectations becomes more important. Your expectations will also give them an idea of what you are looking for at the company and use these expectations to determine whether you are a good fit based on your qualifications and set of skills.

With the research you have done on the range, it will be easier for you to offer them the number you expect. You can think through the first offer they put forward against the information you get about the average salary for the position.

Show Them Your Strengths

You should base your salary expectations on the values you offer to the company because they determine whether you deserve that position.

Your values will also objectively inform the company about the compensation they should give you if they want to hire you.

Negotiate Confidently But Politely

Last but not least, with all the information you have about the salary range, you should negotiate with confidence. This will go a long way toward convincing recruiters that you deserve the salary you expect.

However, you will also need to keep it polite. Let them make the first move—do not give them the number if they have not. You should be tactful and clear when giving reasons for your objections regarding the offer.

Those are 5 effective tips you can use when negotiating salary for the first time. Remember that the way you negotiate will directly influence how much you will get paid. To earn as much as you would expect, be sure not to ignore the importance of this process!

After learning all these tips, it is time to find the right job opportunities at established companies like PT Serasi Autoraya.

Doing business as SERA, the company was founded on March 22, 1990, and has ever since become the leader in Indonesia’s transportation and logistics industry. Every year, this Astra Group’s company welcomes new members to fill various positions at the company.

SERA continuously provides opportunities for individuals qualified for positions at the company as well as at the subsidiaries.