Salary negotiations. Everybody wants a higher salary for a million reasons.
It’s either you need extra funds for a dream vacation, you need to pay off your student loan debt, want to buy a house in a different state, need to save for the future, or you’re just tired of having to live paycheck to paycheck. You’re not alone.
Salary negotiation can be a daunting task for many professionals, particularly in the Eye Care industry where compensation can vary widely.
In today’s economic landscape, where inflation rates continue to rise year after year, securing a job with competitive pay has become increasingly challenging and crucial.
Whether you are seeking a new position or hoping to improve your compensation in your current role, mastering the art of salary negotiation is key to achieving your financial goals. Issue is there’s art to it.
Every situation is unique but these are some strategies that we’ve tried and tested throughout the last 5 years in the Eye Care recruiting industry. Let’s get to it.
1. Identify your own value in the Eye Care industry
Before anything else, let’s talk about likeability. We already know it’s important to act respectful and professional especially when we’re talking numbers. It may seem like a basic concept, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that the way you conduct yourself during a salary negotiation can significantly impact the chances of getting a better offer.
Make sure to practice first with friends, just to be safe.
Next, if you don’t know how important you are, it’s better to get off the negotiation table. Being likable is not enough after all. Life and work is about experience so it’s important to know your own worth in the industry. Consider your education, experience, and skills, and how they align with the requirements of the position you are seeking. You can also compare the average salary for your specific position to determine a salary range and set a realistic salary expectation that reflects your value.
2. Help them understand why you deserve that amount
“If you’re all that, they’ll definitely offer it immediately” is what others might say but no, not really. Like every business, practices have financial constraints. This includes factors like their budget, market trends, and competition. Therefore, by understanding these constraints, you can present a compelling argument for why your request is reasonable and justified while at the same time propose an option that benefits both sides.
Also, it’s important to not push the buttons excessively to prove you’re a good negotiator. You don’t have to haggle everything and we’ll talk about that in the next section on how you can negotiate the other aspects of the job offer.
Lastly, when talking numbers, use a precise and unusual number when stating your desired salary. For example, instead of asking for $160,000, ask for $163,750 and include the scope of your services with that number. This demonstrates that you’ve put considerable thought and research into your request.
3. But be prepared to compromise
If you’re really interested in the job offer, it’s important to communicate that you are and weigh the value of non-salary benefits against your negotiated salary. This includes health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off in your overall compensation package.
Before negotiating, make a list of the benefits that are important to you and consider how they might be included in the offer.
4. Be enthusiastic, not desperate
Expressing how much you’re excited to work with the company can increase your chances of winning your negotiation on salary and benefits, but like every relationship, too much desperation and eagerness can come off wrong and weaken your negotiating position.
Employers may be less likely to offer you the salary or benefits you want if they sense that you’ll accept any offer just to get the job.
To avoid appearing too desperate, try to maintain a professional and positive attitude throughout the salary negotiation process. Focus on highlighting your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments, and make it clear that you’re excited about the opportunity to work with the company, but you’re also looking for a fair and competitive compensation package.
This way, you can express your enthusiasm without coming across as too desperate or eager.
5. There’s another day to negotiate
Salary negotiations don’t always have to be solved in just one meeting. It’s okay to take a break and come back to it later. Showing gratitude and appreciation for the chance to negotiate can help build trust and set the stage for future discussions.
It’s important to be open-minded and willing to continue the conversation even if you couldn’t agree on something during the first negotiation. Sometimes, it’s necessary to revisit certain issues later.
If you couldn’t come to an agreement during the initial negotiation, it’s possible that trust hasn’t been established yet, and that’s okay. You can always work on building trust and revisit salary negotiations at a later time.
Lastly, Know When to Walk Away
Deciding to walk away from a job offer can be a tough call, but it’s necessary at times. Before you do, take a moment to figure out what’s causing you to feel that way. It’s important to evaluate the reasons why the offer doesn’t meet your expectations. Is it the salary? The benefits? The company culture?
Understanding the root cause can help you make a more informed decision and ensure that you’re making the best choice for your career.
It’s also crucial to establish your salary negotiation limits ahead of time so you can clearly communicate what you’re willing to accept. If the offer doesn’t fit the bill, it’s important to have the confidence to decline it.
But don’t worry about burning bridges. You can always thank the employer for the chance and explain that the offer doesn’t align with your current goals. Keep them in your lines, who knows you might need them for future opportunities.
If you won the salary negotiation, get everything in writing!
Congratulations, you’ve successfully negotiated a job offer that meets your needs!
Now it’s crucial to ensure that everything you’ve discussed is documented in writing to avoid misunderstandings later on.
The first thing you want to do after negotiating your job offer is to get everything in writing. That means writing down all the stuff you and your potential employer agreed upon, like how much you’ll get paid, the benefits you’ll receive, the start date, and what you’ll be doing.
This way, you can avoid any misunderstandings or problems that could come up later on.
Once you get the offer letter, take your time and read it carefully. Make sure that all the things you and your potential employer agreed upon are accurately reflected in the offer letter. If you notice anything wrong or confusing, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or changes.
It’s really important to make sure that everything is documented in writing before you accept the job offer. This way, everyone knows what they’re agreeing to, and you’ll have a record of what was discussed. Plus, if any issues come up later, you’ll have a written reference to refer back to.
Dropping salary negotiation email templates and samples, here.
Bonus: List of job opportunities that offer competitive pay.
What’s there to negotiate when you haven’t had offer letters yet? Well, just in time. We have more than 400+ job opportunities open all across all 50 states. You’ll never run out of options to choose from. And the best part? All of these opportunities offer competitive pay.
