- Your Ideal Number (This is the highest possibility that you are hoping for. Your best-case scenario. It’s not necessarily what you think they’ll pay, but you’re going to try anyway.)
- Your Target Number (This is the most realistic possibility that’s right in the middle range. This is the number that you are actually trying to get when all is said and done.)
- Your “Deal Breaker” Number (This is the lowest salary that you will accept. You’ll still accept the job for this amount, but this is where you draw the line.)
- Companies will expect you to negotiate. Most employers fully expect that you will negotiate your salary. They will probably be surprised if you don’t. Remember that this is process is completely normal. They aren’t going to revoke the offer just because you negotiated more money. Truly, the worst that will happen is they’ll simply say “sorry, but that is the best we can offer.” Then you just have to decide if you still want it.
- Consider the total compensation package. If they can’t meet you on salary, ask them about other benefits such as time off, telecommuting, etc. There’s more to a compensation package than just the base salary, so be sure that you are considering everything. Sometimes when companies can’t compete on salary, they offer other perks and benefits to make up for it. Additionally, if any of these other benefits are less than what your current position offers, use that as a negotiating point for the higher salary. For example, if they offer less PTO or a smaller 401K match, mention that as a reason for trying to negotiate that extra $5K in the base salary.
- Negotiate a 90-Day salary review. If all else fails, and the employer truly cannot (or will not) provide the salary you are looking for, but you want to accept, there is one more option that you have. Ask that there be a 90-Day performance evaluation with salary review. This means that you’ll sit down with your boss at the 90-day point and do a formal review of your performance and review your salary again. If they agree, be sure it is written into the offer before you accept. Some companies do this automatically. I think that’s a sign of a good culture as well if they do 90-day reviews of their new hires.