Salary negotiation: strategies and tips

In short: Good salary negotiation is based on solid preparation, realistic goals and confident demeanour. Those who stay silent earn on average less than those who actively negotiate.

In more detail: Salary surveys and industry comparisons provide an objective basis for one’s own demand.

In detail

• Research: Determine market-standard salaries for your own position and industry beforehand.
• Documenting your own performance: Collect concrete achievements and contributions as a basis for argument.
• Choosing the timing: Annual reviews, successful project completions or salary rounds are good opportunities.
• Naming a figure: A concrete, well-justified demand is more convincing than vague hints.
• Room for negotiation: Besides base salary, holiday days, home office or further training can be negotiated.
• Staying calm: A refusal is not the end of the world, a later date can often be arranged.
• Body language: Confident demeanour additionally supports the negotiation (koerpersprache-verstehen).