Salary Negotiation | Salary increase | tips

Salary negotiation – 15 tips for your salary increase

Reading time: 15min |

You recognize the services you provide for your employer, but do not feel rewarded accordingly? A salary negotiation can help! Because with such a conversation you have the opportunity to ask your manager for a salary increase. There are a few things you need to keep in mind to ensure that the conversation takes a positive course. We at the Central German Institute for Qualification and Vocational Rehabilitation (MIQR) don't want to leave you alone. That's why we've put together all the important information and 15 helpful tips below to help you prepare for a salary negotiation.

What is a salary negotiation?

Salary negotiation is a conversation you can have with your manager to get a salary increase. This means that in the course of this conversation you will convince your boss that you get a higher income should. Such a conversation can be held at different times and at different intervals. It is important to show sensitivity and hit the right note so that you can emerge successfully from the negotiation. In order to make it easier for you to get there, we have put together practical information and tips for you in the following article.

Salary increase or salary adjustment?

In a salary negotiation, it is important that you use the right choice of words. It already helps if you don't ask your manager for a salary increase, but for one salary adjustment. That way, the signal isn't sent immediately that your boss needs to invest money. A salary adjustment, on the other hand, suggests that there is a good reason for the change in your earnings level. Something needs to be corrected in the area of ​​your financial reward. Although this is also aimed at getting you a higher salary, the term salary adjustment sends other signals that can have a positive effect on the negotiation. Therefore, try to talk to your boss about a salary adjustment. This is how you succeed in starting the salary negotiation in a more charming way.

How do you get a raise?

To get a raise, you need to talk to your manager. It is important that you take the initiative and ask for such an adjustment to your remuneration. It takes courage and courage, but you can do it. You should proceed cleverly and not simply ask for a salary adjustment. Instead, refer to your performance or upcoming contract changes - such as the end of your probationary period or a change of job. This already gives you a practical reason to eventually ask for a raise. In this way you express your concerns in a clever way without signaling that it is only about your financial reward. Especially in connection with completed projects and services, you show your value for the company and in this way remain positive in the memory.

When is the right time for a salary adjustment?

For a salary negotiation there is no predetermined times. However, some situations are common to request a salary adjustment. Here we give you a brief overview so that you know when a discussion about the amount of remuneration is often carried out.

However, you should always keep an eye on the economic situation of the company. Because if a savings plan is being implemented or if the sales figures have deteriorated, it can be assumed that a salary adjustment will not be good. Therefore, you should approach the matter with an economic sensitivity to watch for the right time.

Another tip from us: the best time to talk about a salary increase is between spring and summer. In this way, the higher salary can be factored into the business plan for the coming year. Meanwhile, the financial resources are usually already planned towards the end of the year, so that the chances of a successful salary adjustment decrease.

How often is there a raise?

It goes without saying that a raise not a few months in a row can be carried out. It is therefore important that you wait until a generous period of time has elapsed before asking for a salary negotiation. At the same time, this gives you the opportunity to increase your performance again in order to obtain a better basis for argumentation for your salary adjustment discussion. Basically, a salary negotiation is possible every 18 to 24 months. Because this gives your manager enough time to convince himself of your performance and skills and you don't come across as too demanding.

More on this topic: 

Self-marketing – 10 tips

15 tips for salary negotiation

So that you are well prepared for a salary negotiation, we have put together 15 practical tips that should help you to conduct a successful interview. We from Central German Institute want you to get important pointers before you have the salary adjustment conversation. Find out more about the following and internalize the tips to increase your chances of a positive negotiation about your remuneration.

Tip 1: Have the courage to ask questions

In most cases, your manager will not approach you alone. That's why you have to take the initiative yourself and ask your boss to make an appointment for a salary negotiation. A good time for this is the appraisal interview, which is usually held once a year. Your performance will be discussed here, so that the foundation for a subsequent salary negotiation is laid. Regardless of the appraisal interviews, however, show the courage to advocate for salary negotiations. Because by doing so, you will demonstrate self-confidence in your own abilities and initiative, which will make a positive impression on your manager.

Tip 2: Comprehensive preparation

Before you start the salary negotiation, you should prepare yourself thoroughly for the interview. It is also helpful if you know roughly how much your colleagues in similar positions earn. If you are uncomfortable talking to work colleagues about earnings, you can use various comparison portals. You can find these online from various application portals. A helpful resource here is step stone.

Tip 3: Put together suitable arguments

Prepare the right arguments before the interview. It also helps if you note each pointto remember you better. Above all, however, it is important that you think about it in detail before you start the salary negotiation. In this way, you can not only convince your manager more easily, you also ensure that you do not enter the interview situation too nervously. Appropriate arguments include your achievements in relation to completed projects and sales figures, etc., your contribution to the company's success and the average salary for your position.

Tip 4: Rehearse the salary negotiation

Once you have written down your arguments and have figured out what you want to say in the salary negotiation, you should practice the conversation. It doesn't matter whether you go through a possible course in your head or say it out loud. Try to prepare yourself mentally for the interview situation so that you are already prepared when it comes to the actual appointment.

Tip 5: Wait for the right moment

In order for you to be successful in salary negotiations, it is important that you wait for the right moment to have the interview. It is important that you make an appointment. Because for the question of a salary increase the right framework needed. It is not effective if you ask your manager about the salary adjustment at the inopportune moment. Therefore, do not ask for a salary interview during a company party, lunch, a meeting on a different topic, or in the elevator. You should take your time for a salary negotiation and not put your boss under pressure with an unfavorable conversation situation.

Tip 6: Reach out to your boss

In a salary negotiation, you should always include the personality of your manager account. Because on this basis you can build your argumentation structure.

In this way, you will more easily get your boss on your side and convince him of your points for implementing a salary increase. Because it is not beneficial if you want to convince your employer with arguments that he does not consider to be valid based on his personal opinion. However, if you take the character of your manager into account, you have the chance to respond to him individually.

Tip 7: Clarify your career plan

A salary adjustment is always an appreciation of the work you have done. However, it can also be an investment in your professional career. Because with a salary increase, your boss gives you the confidence to continue to make a good contribution to the company. In order to convince him of exactly that, you should be aware of what your plan for your career is. Then you have the opportunity in the interview to explain the individual stations and in this way to show how you will enrich the company in the future.

Tip 8: Know your worth

Know what you can do before you start negotiating a salary. This includes your participation in projects, your quantifiable achievements and your commitment to the company. In this way you create a well-founded argumentation basis for the course of the conversation. In addition, this way you immediately have points in your hand that speak for a salary adjustment and at the same time appear more self-confident if you are aware of what you have achieved.

Tip 9: Act self-confident

In order to be successful in salary negotiations, you should appear self-confident. Techniques are available for this self-promotion at. This means that you reflect on your strengths and emphasize them. By emphasizing your skills and knowledge, you leave a positive impression on your manager and can count on the success of the salary negotiations.

Tip 10: Make a concrete offer

When negotiating salary, be specific. Because only if you explicitly set one income expectations express, offer a basis for negotiation. You should be careful, if possible odd values to call. If you round up to a 1.000 or even 5.000, it can quickly happen that your manager goes down the salary faster. Odd totals, on the other hand, require going back in smaller salary increments, which ultimately means you can hope for higher rewards.

Tip 11: Refute counter-arguments

So that your arguments are not immediately refuted by your manager, you should do this in advance consider possible counter-arguments. In the actual conversation, you have the chance to anticipate these and dispel them with clever and well-founded objections. That way, you stay in control of the conversation and don't get discouraged too easily by negative comments. You should also be prepared for provocative questions. If your boss says that you are not performing satisfactorily, you should ask specifically what he means by that. This strategy makes it easier for you to negotiate and increases your chances of getting a raise.

Tip 12: Influence the conversation positively

In a salary negotiation, it's not exactly helpful if you set the tone for a charged mood. This means that you should always remain factual and sober. Negotiations are tough, but the climate must not suffer as a result. Therefore, influence the conversation positively by keeping a cool head in a heated situation.

Tip 13: Persistence pays off

In the discussion about the salary adjustment, you should not give in immediately if your manager does not immediately agree to your proposal. Be persistent and make arguments repeatedly, even if initially rejected. Always remain factual and sober without falling into a short-tempered tone. Also, you should not with the first offer to satisfy your boss. Because this will be lower than what would be financially possible. Therefore, it is advisable to be persistent in order to find the most satisfactory outcome for both parties.

Tip 14: Offer alternatives

If your manager doesn't agree to a raise, you should offer alternatives. Ask about special leave, a company cell phone, a company car or subsidies for sports courses, childcare or a vacation. There are numerous ways for companies to support their employees tax- and social security-free. Offer your boss a solution that you can be happy with.

Tip 15: Postpone the conversation

If your supervisor cannot be persuaded of a salary adjustment, you have the option of rescheduling the interview for another date. It is best if you suggest a specific date for this and arrange a meeting with your boss. After the interview, you should send your manager an informal e-mail with the agreements made so that the date can be set and you can be sure that salary negotiations will take place again. This not only proves your tenacity, but also shows that you are flexible and can adapt to a new situation.

learn negotiation skills

Salary negotiations are difficult conversations that initially require courage to initiate them in the first place. Therefore, you should definitely internalize the tips we have put together to improve your negotiating skills. However, you also have to carry out one retraining or Further Training at the Central German Institute the opportunity to work on these skills. Because with us you will be given the opportunity to work with our occupational psychology and socio-educational service. Together with you, our experts build up your negotiating skills, your self-marketing and your motivation in order to optimally prepare you for a successful career start. This means that you not only work professionally towards integration into the job market, but also deepen your skills and optimize your personal appearance. The negotiation skills that you will learn will not only help with the topic of salary increases, but with all aspects of working life. This way you will learn how to conduct a conversation better and you will be able to convince colleagues of yourself and your interests.

If you have any questions about our occupational psychology and socio-pedagogical service at the Central German Institute or are interested in retraining or further training, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will advise you comprehensively on our offer and work with you to find the right path for your professional career.

Simply register online using our inquiry form or by telephone on 0800 77 89 100.

Conclusion

Salary negotiations are never easy, but they can be done. We at the Central German Institute hope that we have been able to help you with our information and practical tips to improve your negotiating skills. You can learn this important skill even better in cooperation with our occupational psychology and socio-educational service if you complete a vocational training measure with us. In doing so, you will take your professional career on a new course and acquire skills that will continue to serve you well into the future.

If you have any questions about our offer, please contact us online using our inquiry form or by telephone on 0800 77 89 100. We will advise you comprehensively and together we will find the ideal path for your future.

If you find this post interesting and would like to be kept up to date with all the latest happenings, then give a “I like it“ for the official MIQR Facebook page. 👍