Know the market. When negotiating, specificity is key. Hone in on exactly what you want, and then provide reasons why you should receive it. For instance, when negotiating a higher salary, look up standard industry salaries for your position and take note of how your salary reflects that. Hard statistics strengthen why you deserve additional compensation. From there, put together a comprehensive list of your accomplishments, any projects you’ve managed and any initiatives you’ve been part of within your company, as well as any relevant outside qualifications you have. Use your hard work as leverage. A negotiation is never a time to sell yourself short.
Don’t be afraid of no. Ideally in your negotiating process you’ll get exactly what you walked in for, but the best negotiators also already have alternatives in mind. It’s essential for you to go into your meeting under the impression that you will receive your requests, but also find a few alternatives to your original offer that you would be happy with. For example, if you’re buying a home, but the realtor is not willing to budge on price, try asking for some repairs or upgrades to be covered instead. No matter what you’re negotiating, having a counter offer prepared will help ensure a successful negotiation.
If your boss doesn’t want to raise your salary and the conversation is stagnating because neither party will budge, you can offer up other ways in which you can be compensated. Try requesting benefits such as extra PTO, a gym membership or an end of year bonus. When you look at your total benefits and re-frame your requests from that perspective, your odds of a successful negotiation are much higher.
Listen. When the person you’re negotiating with is speaking, listen carefully. By asking open-ended questions and utilizing active listening, you’re setting the stage for an actual discussion instead of just a bargaining match. The more time you take to listen rather than just waiting to reply, you can get a better understanding of where the other party is coming from, and you can adjust your negotiating tactics accordingly.
The best way to successfully negotiate is to be mindful throughout the entire process – from the time you take to properly research before the meeting to the meeting itself. With the proper information and a good attitude, you’ll be able to take on any negotiation confidently and successfully.
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