You wouldn’t haggle over the price of a used car without first referencing the Kelley Blue Book. And you wouldn’t want to talk to your boss about pay without first knowing what other people with similar responsibilities earn. Here’s where to start your research before asking for that raise.
Your phone calls go unanswered. The meeting you want keeps being postponed. When the other side sees no advantage to negotiating or following up with you, the person may stall, says negotiation expert Deborah M. Kolb. Her solution? Power moves.
“Pssst! Did you know that Peter is making $45,000?” Finding out that someone with your title and job description makes more money than you can rattle your nerves. Here’s how to handle it.
Want a quick route to the unemployment office? Just say “No” to your boss when he or she asks you to do something. Even if the boss’s command is unreasonable, defying authority immediately causes conflict.
Sherry Turner, Chicago, wanted to apply for a newly created position in her organization that combined three jobs and offered more management duties than her existing admin job did.
Even if you’re not in charge of purchasing, each day in the workplace tests your negotiating skills. Do you practice these tactics?
Delaying your decisions exacts a cost in both time and opportunity. Fail to confirm which venue you want for your next event, for example, and suddenly, both are booked. If you agonize over providing your “final answer,” push yourself to act, with these tips:
Signing a contract is always a hair-raising and nervous experience. But signing a hotel, convention center or other facility’s standard contract for your company could damage your organization’s financial well being. To protect yourself, ask to review the standard contract, but consider that as only a starting point.
The first rule of
negotiating a raise is to make it easy for your boss to say yes. That means anticipating objections and addressing them in advance. Smart negotiators rarely say, “I want more money.” Instead, they use facts to drive home their valuable contributions. Here’s how to prepare for your next salary review: