For many people, the mere thought of negotiating a salary can be daunting. Still, you know you need to do it if you want to get paid what you’re worth.
Before you go in to negotiate, it’s a good idea to put together a game plan that will help you stay professional while you go after what you deserve. If you’re not sure where to start, discover eight important dos and don’t of salary negotiation to help you step into your interview with confidence.
Do Your Research
One of the most important salary negotiation tips is to ensure you research the job position thoroughly. For instance, make sure you know the average market rate for the job title and location you are in.
You’ll want to ensure that you use reputable sources for this part. Consider checking with industry associations as well as online platforms like Glassdoor, Indeed, and LinkedIn.
Consider the Climate
It’s important to take into account the current economic climate in your sector and the company you’re interviewing with. Ask yourself things like:
- Is there economic turbulence in your industry right now?
- Is this particular company experiencing a decline?
- Is this a smaller business with less room to negotiate on salary?
Answering these questions will help you determine whether negotiating your salary is worth it.
Know When to Address It
Don’t address your salary before you learn what’s expected of you in the interview phase. You may find yourself being asked to do more than the job description indicates. You don’t want to end up negotiating a salary that’s too low.
Don’t Accept the First Offer
Know that you are not obligated to accept your first offer, even if it’s what you originally wanted. And if you can’t get more money, you might still be successful in asking for more benefits, such as PTO days or childcare coverage.
Clarify Your Value
One of the best pieces of salary negotiation advice is to know what you bring to the table based on your particular experience, skills, and measurable results. This will show the employer that you are worth the salary increase because you can duplicate those same results (or better) for their company.
Understand the Trade-Offs
An employer may want to ensure they’re making a good investment when it comes to employee salaries. Consequently, if you ask for more money, they may want to add a few more responsibilities to your plate. If you accept this trade-off, make sure the offer will still be worth it for you, even with more items on your daily to-do list.
Keep a Paper Trail
One of the biggest salary negotiation mistakes employees make is relying only on oral discussions. Whether in an employment contract or an informal email, make sure you get the offer in writing. You need to be able to prove that you were offered a certain salary in case an employer doesn’t remember what they offered you or tries to backtrack.
Stay Professional at All Times
As a hospitality employee, you know how hard you work to make guests happy. Though you are likely passionate about getting paid what you are worth, make sure that you maintain a professional tone when you’re speaking with or writing to an employer. Doing so makes the hospitality salary negotiation process run smoother and keeps your professional image intact.
Remember That Asking Is Always Worth It
Negotiating your salary may seem challenging, but it’s likely that you will be glad you did it in the end. Even if you don’t get the pay raise you asked for, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you advocated for yourself.
If you’re a hospitality professional looking for a new position, One Haus has current job openings in your industry. We work closely with all of our clients to ensure their salary offerings are well-aligned with industry standards, and our professional staff will make sure you’re always treated fairly.
Contact us today to learn more about our open positions and how we can help you find your next opportunity.