How to Negotiate Salary for Your Next Career Move

Posted by Bendigo Professional Resume Writers on 13 Aug 2025

Negotiating a salary can be an extremely difficult process, since it involves balancing what consider your worth and what the employer thinks they’re able to pay. If it’s done right it could be a positive experience for both parties, resulting in a higher pay for the employee and a greater employee engagement in their work. Learn how to make your salary negotiation a success.

The most important takeaways

  • Before you make a salary offer make sure you research market rates as well as industry standards to confirm that your salary offer is fair.
  • Gather information through connecting with colleagues through online tools like LinkedIn Salary and Glassdoor, as well as reaching out to professional networks.
  • Prepare talking points ahead of the time, including education and certificates in the form of years of relevant work experience, the results and achievements as well as unique skill sets and qualifications, industry knowledge and the potential for further training.
  • During the negotiation, be assertive and confident, yet flexible and open. Bring out tangible results you’ve achieved in your previous positions.
  • Maintain a positive mood throughout the conversation and be active in your listening.

Do your research

Before you enter any negotiations regarding salary, it’s essential to conduct thorough research on current market rates and industry standards to ensure that your salary suggestion is realistic. Some factors that can affect this could include levels of experience degree, size of the company and the location of the company. (?). One great way to gather information is through networking with colleagues or others within your area of work.

Research Online

With the help of online sources, like [LinkedIn SalaryWith the help of some online resources like [LinkedIn Salary (https http://www. linkedin. www.linkedin.com/salary) and [Glassdoorglassdoor (https http://www. glassdoor. com/Salaries/index. htm) You can find a more substantial approach towards the benchmarking range of salary businesses pay for the same job. This gives you an idea of the market prices and also other factors related to the job.

Your Network is Important

Gain insight by speaking to acquaintances who have had similar roles or reaching out via the professional networks as well as brainstorming professionals in professional organizations.

Make talking points

Preparing for a negotiation is always well spent. You’ll feel much more confident in giving your argument if you have a set of talking points outlined prior to the time.

Here are a few suggestions of items you could consider to include in your salary negotiation:

  • Certification and education
  • Years of relevant experience
  • Results and achievements
  • Particular skill set and traits (e.g. bilingualism)
  • Knowledge of the industry
  • Training potential

A notepad or notebook can be helpful during conversations so it is not lost important points.

Be confident & concise

In a negotiation for a salary it’s crucial to appear confident and clear. Be clear about your experience, achievements and job expectations. It’s crucial to maintain your tone of voice positive throughout the conversation so that the employer isn’t appearing to be hostile.

The Key to Tangible Results

Simply stating that someone is determined, hardworking and focused may not be enough to make an impactful appeal. It is important to present clear and precise data regarding how prior roles have made a distinction in businesses or how valuable are specific qualities that help an organisation.

Stay flexible

If your employer isn’t able to agree to your requested salary or compensation plan in full, remaining flexible and open-minded will help open the door to discussion. You may be able to ask for alternative incentive options such as performance-based bonuses or models instead of the Base salary(? ).

Keep your cool throughout the negotiation - no matter how well or poorly it’s going being too combative or making unreasonable demands is likely to lead to a negative outcome for everybody that is.

Practice active listening

Listening is as crucial as communicating during these kinds of conversations. Pay attention to any other participant during negotiations, observing requested amount carefully & clarifying doubts, if necessary, while gently sticking with original request. In the end, both parties must come out with acceptable results.

Learn away from these conversations and incorporate them into future negotiations that you’re likely to be involved in. By following the suggestions above, you will go an enormous way to increasing your chances of reaching positive, mutually beneficial results.

Your network is important Contact friends and acquaintances who have had similar experiences or reaching out through professional networks and brainstorming with members of professional associations.
Create Talk points Training and certification, years of relevant work experience, results and accomplishments, unique ability and traits (e.g., bilingualism) Know-how in the field, the potential for training
Be confident & concise Make sure you are clear about your experience accomplishments, job goals and achievements. Use tangible results to highlight your achievements.
Remain flexible Ask about alternative incentives like bonuses based on performance instead of Base salary (?). Make sure to remain professional during the negotiation process.
Practice active listening Listening is just as important as speaking during these kinds of conversations. You can take the lessons you’ve learned away from these conversations and incorporate them into future negotiations that you’re likely to take part in.


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Frequently asked questions

What is the concept of salary negotiation?

Salary negotiation is the process of discussing and deciding on the compensation plan for a particular job. When you negotiate this it is possible to discuss not just your salary base, but also additional benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans and many more.

Why is it so important to negotiate salary?

Negotiating your pay can provide you a greater financial future and show you know your worth. It also helps you not leave money on the table.

What is the best time to negotiate a salary?

It is ideal to begin negotiations after receiving an offer so everyone is aware of what is being discussed. Then, the negotiations will be focused on securing ideal terms while avoiding unpleasant surprises.

What happens if I am satisfied with the offered package without negotiating?

If you receive an offer and you are satisfied with the offer, then there’s no need to bargain. However, it’s still essential to be clear about what your employer’s expectations with regards to things like performance-based bonuses or career-training reimbursements.

Can I negotiate my salary if changing careers?

Negotiating salary when you change career paths can require extra preparation because your past experiences may not be directly applicable or be a part of the new job. Learn about the salaries similar to those in similar industries pay, to develop a thorough understanding of realistic expectations for yourself, in light of the particular circumstances you face.

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Avoid Leaving Money on the Table with These Salary Negotiation Strategies

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