Salary Negotiation Checklist

As you enter any salary talks with your new employer, make sure you have the basic information. This will include:

• What the salary range is for this position: what do other people earn doing the same job at the same company or in different companies across the industry?
• Where do you fit in that range: how much experience do you have to offer?
• Your salary package requirements: your last salary package, your minimum requirement and your salary aims.

In negotiating a salary, you will also need to be aware of what the company wants, and how you fulfil their needs. What will you bring to their company? Take a closer look at the following areas:

• What are the responsibilities of the job?
• How much experience is needed?
• What is the degree of technical competence required?
• How soon does this job have to be filled; what is its urgency?
• How many people does the post-holder have authority over?
• What size budget is the post-holder responsible for?
• Does this position contribute directly to profits?
• How does this position tie in with future expansion?

These factors may be used to give you extra negotiating power for a higher salary. For example, you may have a specific talent or skill that is not easily found or you may have particular experience in an area they are looking to develop in the future.