"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle." - Steve Jobs
Lets play a Scenario:
Imagine you're a marketing professional who's been offered a job at a new company. You've done your research and you know that people with your experience and qualifications are earning around R300,000 per year. The company has offered you R250,000 per year. You could accept the offer, but you believe that you're worth more. You decide to negotiate your salary, and you practice your pitch before meeting with your potential employer (and having done interviews). During the negotiation, you explain your achievements, experience, and skills that make you valuable to the company, and you request a salary of R300,000 per year. The employer counters with R280,000 per year. At this point, you have a decision to make: do you accept the offer, or do you walk away? You thank the employer for their time, and explain that you appreciate their offer, but it's below your salary expectations. You politely decline the offer, and leave the door open for future opportunities. A few days later, the employer contacts you and offers you the salary you requested. Congratulations, you've successfully negotiated your salary!
Now this situation seems like unrealistic but can actually happen provided you know your market worth and have done the research.
Do Your Research Before you enter a salary negotiation
Find out what other people in your industry, with your experience and qualifications, are earning. Websites like Glassdoor or Payscale can help you get a good idea of what to expect. Armed with this information, you'll be better equipped to negotiate for a salary that matches your worth.
Practice Your Pitch When negotiating your salary
It's important to have a clear, concise pitch ready to go. Practice what you want to say, so you can present it confidently and persuasively. Remember to highlight your achievements, experience, and skills that make you valuable to the company. Be specific about what you bring to the table, and how you can contribute to the company's growth and success.
Be Willing to Walk Away Finally
It's important to be willing to walk away if your employer isn't willing to meet your salary expectations. This may seem daunting, but remember that you deserve to be paid what you're worth, and you should be doing something you love in the first place. If your employer isn't willing to offer you a fair salary, then it may not be the right company for you. Be prepared to negotiate, but also be willing to walk away if necessary.
