The debate rages on: Should a job candidate name a salary number first, or wait to hear from the employer? Money is on the line and feelings are strong on both sides of the issue. Most experts suggest that applicants should keep their mouths shut and make the employer talk first. New research suggests, though, that this may not be the wisest approach. Naming a salary number might boost your earnings.
The fact is that most employers have a job title and a salary range pre-determined for each job in their company. They could, if you press them, tell you what their range is for the job you want and where you fit in that range, based upon your qualifications.
This new approach to negotations points out that the person who names a salary number first sets the tone for the entire negotiation. Referring to this first number as the “anchor,” a story on PsyBlog, “Ten Powerful Steps to Negotiating a Higher Salary,” puts forth that job seekers who offer the first number, and make it plenty high, improve their chances to earn well.
We here at PayScale are happy to hear this news. Why? Because we want you to earn what you’re worth. That’s our goal. We work day and night to collect salary data and organize it so that you can know what the market, today, is paying for your education, skills, experience and more. We can do this for almost any job, anywhere.
During your next interview process, make sure you have a strong sense of what your pay should be, by looking up the job on PayScale. Then, try naming the upper end of the range when asked what sort of pay you’re expecting. At least you’ll know you are asking for a fair (and generous) wage and you have evidence to prove it.
Beside having a number ready and stating it, what other advice does PsyBlog include in its top 10 salary negotiation strategies? If you are employed, try initiating a conversation with your boss about giving you a raise, rather than waiting for a review. Also, if you really want to earn the big bucks, don’t negotiate for the win-win. Aim for a win-lose situation, where you win and they lose. If you feel bad about that decision afterwards, don’t worry. That’s normal. Many people do, but they also make more money than the win-win types.
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i just read a different article that said to name a number at the LOWER end of the range, if pushed to give a number during salary negotiations…a different article from PayScale, i should say…(dated Feb. 3, 2014)