Salary negotiations are not easy for most employees. With these eight tips, a salary increase doesn't have to remain a pipe dream.
Are you satisfied with your salary? If not, you should not accept this fact as unchangeable. If you are an employee who is not bound by collective bargaining agreements, you can take the issue of a salary increase into your own hands and actively bring about a salary negotiation. Read the following eight tips to find out how best to proceed.
Tip 1: Arrange an appointment for the salary discussion
Not every employer offers an annual salary meeting, where salary is almost automatically discussed. If your company doesn't offer one, ask your boss for an appointment. But don't barge in without an appointment, because you won't get anywhere with your wish for a higher salary if you try to catch him off guard. By the way, you should get into the habit of regularly asking for such an appointment with your boss every year. It should not only be about your salary, but also about your achievements and your development in the job.
Tip 2: Prepare yourself
You will only be successful with your salary demands if they remain within limits. So if you don't ask for disproportionately high salary jumps (e.g. 10 percent), but remain realistic (2-5 percent), you will have good prospects. Think about it: what is reasonable - 2 percent? 3 or even 5 because your company has been successful? Sometimes online research can also help. This is especially true for clearly outlined job descriptions and industries. Here, the search terms "salary check," "salary calculator" or "salary comparison" will often get you further.
The second part of the preparation is to remind yourself of the successes and achievements you have made. These are valuable arguments that can be used to support your demand for a higher salary (see next tip).
Tip 3: Cite your successes and achievements
Use your strongest argument in salary negotiation: The benefits you have provided or will provide to the employer in the future. Specifically, what benefits do you provide to your employer? Which colleagues did you cover for when you were sick or absent? What extra work did you do beyond what was contractually agreed? What additional duties have been added to your current work area or will be added in the future? You should cite all of this to justify why a salary increase is really appropriate.
Tip 4: Never argue with your financial needs
Your employer is not interested in higher rents, increased fuel prices, higher living costs or the additional expenses incurred for a child. The only thing that counts is your performance and success. Therefore, when negotiating your salary, never argue with your increased financial needs. This is guaranteed to fall on your boss's deaf ears. In his eyes, only one thing justifies a higher salary, and that is your commitment at work. This applies even to traders in personal area.
