It's Okay to Negotiate Salary During a Recession
The recession persists, people continue to lost their jobs and employers continue to try to find ways to cut costs without cutting their staffs. In the midst of all the uncertainty about finding and keeping a job, to many, it seems scandalous to negotiate for a higher salary ... but not to Liz Ryan.
In her article, The "Never Specify a Salary" Myth, Ryan says that it's okay to negotiate salary during the second interview. It has to be fefore the job is offered, she says, or the candidate runs the risk of receiving a job offer with a salary already in place - a salary that the employer would be reluctant to change, especially since it had to be approved by HR, the finance department, etc. In fact, Ryan advises that the job seeker be the first one to mention salary, letting the employer know how much is expected.
Salary coach, Jack Chapman, in his article, Tenth Commandment of Salary Negotiations: Honor Thy Wealth and Prosperity, recommends using this idea, "if you're not just a little red faced at your desired amount [Ideal Number], you're not thinking high enough."
He also recommends using what he calls the "laugh test." If an employer an offer and the candidate laughs, the employer failed the laugh test by making an offer that was ridiculously low. The same works in reverse for candidates.
In the current economy, job seekers may feel reluctant to negotiate salary, especially in light of so many recent college graduates who are struggling to find entry level jobs in their chosen fields.
Michael Hayes of Momentum Specialized Staffing, recently responded to a question about salary negotiation this way, "Everyone needs to make a certain amount of money to pay the mortgage, car payment, insurance, etc. When you are interviewing for a job, you should never be the one to bring up salary. But you should go into the interview with a good idea of what the position pays."
Though she has the opposite opinion of who should be the first to bring up salary, Ryan is in accordance with Hayes when it comes to a candidate's knowing how much her desired job usually pays. Ryan suggests researching for this information online or through a headhunter friend, if you have one. She adds that an employer is unlikely to reject a candidate for suggesting a salary that is out of his company's range. Instead, he will recommend an amount that he thinks is fair and go from there.
Negotiating salary, whether the economy is good or bad, requires that candidates be flexible and informed. Those who are aware of the average salaries of their desired jobs will be able to negotiate with confidence and protect themselves against being low balled.
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