How to conduct a successful salary negotiation

Beyond the pure purpose - namely to get more money transferred at the end of the month - a successful salary negotiation can also bring other positive effects. It shows you and your employer what value you contribute to the company. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to develop a clear strategy for your future career path. Find out how to achieve these goals in your next salary negotiation in our tips.

Tip 1: Careful preparation counts

Familiarize yourself with the current state of the market. Use various tools and websites to find out what other companies in your industry and position are paying. This can be helpful in getting a sense of a realistic salary range. Also, think about your own skills and the value you contribute to the company. What have you accomplished in the last year? How much work experience do you have and how have you grown? Feel free to make a list and use it as the basis for your salary request.

Tip 2: Find the right timing

Think carefully about what might be an appropriate time for the salary negotiation. For example, an appropriate setting for a salary discussion might be a performance review, a development meeting, or an annual performance review. Be sure to avoid surprising your supervisor with a salary negotiation. Your boss also needs the opportunity to prepare for the conversation and think about it ahead of time.

Tip 3: Finding the balance between self-confidence and respect

During the interview about your salary expectations, it is important that you appear confident and convincing. You should know your own value and represent it. At the same time, you should make sure to remain professional and respectful, even if you don't get the answer you were hoping for. Your focus should be on creating a win-win situation for all parties involved, from which both you and the company can benefit. In the best case scenario, both parties to the conversation will leave the salary negotiation feeling positive.

Tip 4: Demonstrate negotiating skills

Your employer may not agree to your demands despite good preparation and decisive arguments. Demonstrate your negotiating skills by coming up with some alternative proposals. It may be possible to agree on a staggered salary increase. In this case, the salary request could be achieved in two or more steps. Another alternative: instead of the desired salary, an extra vacation day could end up in your account. Think carefully about what would satisfy you and make concrete suggestions.

Bottom line: don't be afraid to talk about your salary. The next salary negotiation is not only an opportunity to get more money, but also to develop a clear roadmap for your career. Choose the right time for the salary negotiation and prepare extensively. If you also bring some negotiation skills and self-confidence with you, nothing will stand in the way of a positive outcome of the conversation for both parties.