IT salary negotiations, done right
So now you've applied for a new developer job and been invited to an interview (where you made a good impression) and the employer offers you the job. Now it's getting difficult: the salary negotiation.
Whether you're starting a new job or moving up the corporate ladder at the company you've worked for years, successful salary negotiation requires some research and preparation. You should avoid major mistakes. Here we have summarized some tips for you:
Own self-assessment
Before the hearing, sit down and make a two-column list. Write your professional merits in the first column: Achievements, Skills, and Experience. In the second column you write your professional disadvantages: failed projects, gaps in experience or performance.
In actual negotiation, you can use anything from the first column to assist; and you have some good explanations ready if anything from the second column is addressed. In any case, your self-assessment will help you ensure that you are not at a loss for words at the critical moment.
Research other IT salaries
What has your company paid for similar positions and experience in the past? What is common in the industry? What did the person who previously held this position earn? By searching for answers to all of these questions, you can develop a reasonable range for your potential salary (or raise).
Salary negotiations are not just about money
Some IT professionals, short-sightedly, only focus on money and don't consider the full compensation package. Consider perks other than money that interest you, such as extensive home office opportunities. Pay special attention to perks that are a priority for you. Even if an employer is not willing to offer you as much money as you would like, you can still "win" by negotiating things that are very often important for developers, such as an ideal work-life balance.
Dodge early questions about salary expectations
Sometimes in an interview you will be asked how much salary you expect. It is a trap. If you name too much you can ruin your chances of getting the job; if the amount is too low, you lose money if you get hired. (And yes, even if you're a tech superstar, there are amounts that are considered "too high.")
What is the solution? If asked, suggest that you are sure you and the company will agree on an amount, or that you expect to be paid based on your experience and skills.
Once the company makes you an offer with a suggested salary, serious negotiations can begin; but don't talk about salary until it's time. (A mild version of this also applies to employees who are seeking a raise at their current company; this situation is all about timing: don't propose an amount until your employer is willing to talk about it.)
Don't play a game
Don't make a suggestion you don't justify; accept a good offer; and be willing to make concessions. If an employer offers you the salary you want but doesn't want you to work from home for more than a day, it may be worth accepting the offer rather than delaying negotiations (unless it's most important to you to be able to work from home several days a week).
