How to Negotiate Salary for Your Next Career Move

Posted by Geelong Resume on 8 Aug 2025

A salary negotiation is a difficult conversation, as it requires you to balance what you think you’re worth versus what the employer thinks they’re able to pay. If done properly, it can be positive for both sides that results in a higher salary for the employee and greater employee engagement in their work. Here’s how you can bargain your salary in confidence.

Principal Takeaways

  • Before you make a salary offer take a look at market rates and industry standards to make sure that your salary offer is fair.
  • Find out information by socializing with colleagues, using online resources like LinkedIn Salary and Glassdoor, and contacting professional networks.
  • Prepare talking points ahead of time, including education & certificates as well as years of relevant experience, results & achievements as well as unique skill sets and capabilities, knowledge of the industry, and training potential.
  • In the course of negotiations, you should be assertive and confident, yet flexible and open. Highlight tangible results that you have achieved in previous roles.
  • Keep a positive and upbeat tone throughout the conversation and practice active listening.

Do your research

Before entering into any salary negotiation, it’s important to conduct a thorough investigation of the market and standards in the industry to make sure your salary offer is realistic. Factors that might impact the amount you are offered could be experience degree, size of the company and geographical location. (?). One great way to gather information is to network with colleagues or others who are in the same job field.

Research Online

With the help of internet-based resources like [LinkedIn SalaryUtilizing some of the online resources, such as [LinkedIn Salary (https http://www. linkedin. www.linkedin.com/salary) and [GlassdoorGlassdoor (https http://www. glassdoor. com/Salaries/index. htm) you can obtain a an additional perspective on the benchmarking range of salaries companies pay for the same job. It will provide you with an idea of the current market prices and also other facets of an employment.

Your Network Is Important

Gain insight by speaking to friends who have held similar positions, or contacting them via professional networks and brainstorming with professionals in professional organizations.

Make Talking points

Preparing for a negotiations is always a good time spent. You’ll feel much more confident in giving your argument if you are prepared with a specific set of talking points outlined ahead of time.

Here are some examples of items you might consider to include in your salary negotiation:

  • Certification and education
  • Experience gained through years of relevant work
  • Performances and results
  • A unique set of skills and characteristics (e.g., bilingualism)
  • Industry knowledge
  • Potential for training

The idea of keeping a notepad and/or notes handy could aid in conversations, so that you don’t miss any important details.

Be confident & concise

When you negotiate your salary, it’s important to be confident and articulate. Be clear about your experience, achievements and job expectations. It’s crucial to maintain your tone of voice positive throughout the discussion so that the employer feels like you’re not being unfriendly.

Highlight Tangible Results

Simply saying that you are driven, hardworking, and goal-oriented may not be enough for an strong appeal. So put forward clear statistics on how previous roles made distinction in businesses or how important are certain abilities that help an organisation.

Remain flexible

If your employer isn’t able to your salary request or compensation arrangement Being flexible and open can allow room for discussions. It is possible to inquire about alternative incentive options such as performance-based bonuses or structures instead of Base salary(? ).

You must remain professional throughout the negotiation - regardless of how well or not: getting too defensive or making unreasonable demands will likely lead to a negative outcome for all parties who is involved.

Practice active listening

Listening is just as important as communicating during these kinds of conversations. Pay attention to other party during negotiations hearing requested amount carefully & clarifying doubts if at all while remaining in the spirit of your initial request. Ultimately both parties should arrive at acceptable outcomes.

Use the lessons you’ve learned away from these conversations and incorporate them into future discussions you’ll probably be involved in. Applying the advice above goes a long way towards maximizing the chance of achieving positive, mutually beneficial results.

Your Network is Important Contact friends and acquaintances who’ve held similar roles or connect with the professional network in addition to brainstorming members within professional organizations.
Plan talking points Certification and education, Years of relevant experience, Performance and achievements, unique abilities and skills (e.g. bi-lingualism) Know-how in the field, Potential for training
Be confident & concise Talk clearly about your personal experiences accomplishments, job goals and achievements. Make sure you highlight tangible results.
Keep your mind open You can inquire about alternative incentives such as bonuses based on performance instead of Base salary. (?). Make sure to remain professional throughout the negotiation process.
Practice active listening Listening is equally as important as communicating in these kinds of conversations. Take what you have learned away from these conversations and incorporate it into any future negotiations that you’re likely to take part in.


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Frequently Answered Questions

What is the concept of salary negotiation?

Salary negotiation is the process of discussing and finalizing the compensation package to be paid for your job. In this negotiation you will be able to discuss not only the base salary, but also other benefits like retirement plans, health insurance and many more.

Why why is it important to bargain on salary?

Negotiating your pay can provide you a better financial future and show you’re aware of what you’re worth. This can help you keep money off the table.

How soon should I negotiate a salary?

It’s best to begin negotiating after you have received an offer, so that all parties are aware of the terms being negotiated. In this way, negotiations are focused on securing optimal terms and avoid unpleasant surprises.

What if I am content with the package I was offered without negotiating?

If you receive an offer and you are satisfied with it, then there may be no need to negotiate. But it’s important to provide clear information about what employers will provide in terms of things like the performance-based bonus or career-training reimbursements.

What is the best way to negotiate my salary? I change careers entirely?

Salary negotiation when changing career paths can require extra preparation due to the fact that your previous experience might not directly translate or encapsulate new responsibilities. Research what similar roles in similar industries pay, to develop a thorough knowledge of the realistic expectations you can set for you, based on the specific circumstances.

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Avoid Leaving Money on the Table with These Salary Negotiation Strategies

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