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It can be a daunting task to negotiate a salary in your current job, but it’s important to remember that you have the right to ask for what you’re worth. 

If you think you deserve a higher salary, you’re probably right!

In this article, I’m going to give you 10 key tips to help you negotiate a salary in your current job, plus a few resources that you can use to hedge your chances of success at getting a higher salary.

10 Key Tips to Negotiate a Salary

Here are a few tips to help you successfully negotiate your salary:

1. Do your research. 

Before you even start negotiating, it’s important to know what you’re worth. 

Research salaries for similar positions in your industry and location. You can use online resources like Glassdoor or Salary.com to get this information.

2. Build your case. 

Once you know what you’re worth, you need to build a case for why you deserve that salary. 

Highlight your skills and experience, and explain how you continue to benefit the company. Be specific and use examples to support your claims.

3. Be prepared to compromise. 

It’s unlikely that you’ll get exactly what you want in negotiations. Be prepared to compromise and come up with a salary that’s fair to both you and your employer.

4. Be confident. 

When you’re negotiating your salary, it’s important to be confident in your abilities. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you’re not confident, the other party will be less likely to take you seriously.

5. Be confident but not arrogant. 

You want to show your employer that you’re confident in your worth, but you don’t want to come across as arrogant.

It’s a fine balance, but that balance is necessary for a successful negotiation!

6. Be clear about your goals. 

What salary are you hoping to get? You should have a better understanding of your worth once you’ve done some research, and don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Rather than simply asking for a raise, be specific about how much of a raise you’d like to see.

Psst… if you need a handy tool to help you build a compelling case as you work toward your salary increase goals, I recommend using ClickUp to help you keep track of your progress (sign up is free!).

7. Highlight your skills and experience. 

What do you bring to the table that makes you a valuable asset? Be sure to mention your accomplishments and how you can benefit the company.

Psst… if you’re not sure what skills you should highlight, you may want to read Strengths Finder, which can help you uncover your innate strengths. It also comes with a free quiz when you buy the book new!

8. Be prepared to back up your request. 

When you’re asking for a raise, be prepared to back up your request with evidence that you deserve what you’re asking for. 

This could include things like your performance reviews, recent analytics following a project or campaign, your contributions to the company, or your market value.

9. Be prepared to walk away. 

If you’re not happy with the salary offer, be prepared to walk away from the negotiation. This shows the other party that you’re serious about getting what you want.

If you do decide to walk away from the initial negotiation you’ll need to decide how to proceed. You can return to the negotiation at a later time, drop it entirely, or even consider getting a new role that will pay you your worth.

Carefully consider your goals before you decide how to move forward.

10. Be professional. 

Even if you’re not happy with the outcome of the negotiation, it’s important to remain professional throughout the process. Don’t get angry or emotional. Instead, focus on the facts and explain why you deserve a higher salary.

Following these tips will help you negotiate a salary successfully. Remember, you have the right to ask for what you’re worth. So don’t be afraid to negotiate and get the salary that you deserve.

Additional Tips to Negotiate a Salary

Here are some additional tips for negotiating your salary:

Timing is everything. 

Don’t negotiate your salary at an inopportune business time. If you recently were involved in an unsuccessful project, then it’s probably not the best time.

However, if you recently completed a successful project or are evaluating your performance review with your manager then it may be a great time to negotiate your salary.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

If you’re not sure how to negotiate a new salary, there are plenty of resources. Talk to a mentor, a career counselor, or a friend who has successfully negotiated their salary.

Ramit Sethi has a really handy guide to help you successfully negotiate your new salary.

Psst… I also recommend reading Negotiation Genius to learn about other valuable negotiation tools- I found it immensely helpful!

Ask for more than you want. 

When you’re asked to name your salary expectations, always ask for more than you’re actually expecting. This will give you some room to negotiate.

Be specific. 

When you’re negotiating, don’t just say, “I want a raise.” Instead, tell your employer exactly how much you want and why you deserve it.

Be positive and enthusiastic. 

When you’re negotiating, it’s important to be positive and enthusiastic. This will show your employer that you’re excited about your job and that you’re committed to the company.

Negotiating a salary can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that you have the right to ask for what you’re worth. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting the salary you deserve.

Think negotiating your salary will FIRE Your Life? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Products I recommend in this article:

ClickUp (my recommended project management tool)

Strengths Finder (book to uncover your innate strengths)

Negotiation Genius (book that provides handy negotiation tools)