Negotiating salary over Zoom can be a little bit more challenging than negotiating in person, as you don’t have the opportunity to read nonverbal cues and build rapport face-to-face. However, there are still a number of steps you can take to prepare for and have a successful salary negotiation over Zoom:
- Research the market: Before you start negotiating, it’s important to have a good understanding of what similar positions are paying in your industry and location. This will help you have a solid understanding of what you should be asking for and give you the confidence to make a strong case for yourself.
There are a number of ways you can research salary expectations for a particular position or industry:
Use online salary tools: There are many online tools that allow you to search for salary data by job title, location, and industry. Some popular options include Glassdoor, PayScale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Network with people in the industry: Reach out to people you know who work in your industry and ask about their salary and benefits packages. You can also join professional organizations or attend industry events to connect with other professionals and gather information about salary expectations.
Look at job postings: Search for job postings in your field and pay attention to the salary ranges listed. This can give you a good idea of what employers in your industry are willing to pay for certain positions.
Talk to a recruiter: Recruiters often have access to salary data and can provide insight into what you can expect to earn in your industry and location.
It’s important to keep in mind that salary expectations can vary based on a number of factors, including your level of experience, education, and specific skills. It’s a good idea to gather data from multiple sources to get a well-rounded understanding of salary expectations for your industry and location.
- Prepare a list of your accomplishments: Be ready to highlight your successes and contributions to the company or organization. This will help demonstrate the value you bring to the role and make it easier for the employer to justify offering you a higher salary.
When demonstrating a list of accomplishments, it’s important to focus on specific, measurable results that demonstrate the value you’ve added to your organization. Some things you may want to include in your list of accomplishments are:
Quantifiable results: Examples of quantifiable results could include an increase in revenue, a decrease in expenses, or an increase in productivity. Be sure to include specific numbers to help illustrate the impact of your work.
Improved processes or systems: If you’ve implemented new processes or systems that have resulted in improved efficiency or productivity, be sure to include these in your list of accomplishments.
Awards or recognition: If you’ve received any awards or recognition for your work, be sure to include these in your list. This can include internal awards or recognition from external organizations.
Special projects or initiatives: If you’ve led or contributed to any special projects or initiatives, be sure to include these in your list of accomplishments. Be sure to focus on the specific role you played and the impact of the project or initiative.
Customer feedback: If you’ve received positive feedback from customers, be sure to include this in your list of accomplishments. This can help demonstrate the value you’ve added to your organization.
It’s important to be specific and provide concrete examples of your accomplishments to help illustrate the value you’ve added to your organization.
- Practice your negotiation skills: Practice your negotiation skills in advance, either by role-playing with a friend or by rehearsing in front of a mirror. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident during the actual negotiation.
There are a number of ways you can practice negotiation skills:
Role-play with a friend or professional coach: One effective way to practice negotiation is to role-play. Choose a scenario and take turns playing the role of the negotiator and the person being negotiated with. This can help you get comfortable with the give-and-take of negotiation and allow you to try out different strategies and approaches.
Rehearse in front of a mirror: Practicing in front of a mirror can help you get comfortable with your body language and delivery. You can try out different approaches and see how you come across visually.
Join a negotiation workshop or course: Many organizations and schools offer negotiation workshops or courses that can help you develop your skills. These can be a great way to learn from experienced negotiators and get feedback on your performance.
Read and learn from resources: There are many books and online resources that can provide valuable information on negotiation techniques and strategies. Reading about negotiation and learning from others’ experiences can be a great way to improve your skills.
It’s important to remember that negotiation is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want: Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and ask for what you think you deserve. It’s okay to negotiate and advocate for a higher salary. Just be sure to back up your request with data and examples of your value to the company.
Asking for what you want can be challenging, but it’s an important skill to have in both personal and professional settings. Here are some tips for how to ask for what you want effectively:
Know what you want: It’s important to have a clear idea of what you want before you start asking for it. Take some time to think about your goals and what you need to achieve them.
Be specific: Be specific about what you’re asking for. This will help the other person understand exactly what you want and make it easier for them to consider your request.
Make a case for your request: It can be helpful to explain why you’re asking for what you want and how it will benefit you or the other person. This can help the other person understand your perspective and see the value in granting your request.
Be confident: Believe in yourself and your request. It’s okay to be assertive and confident when asking for what you want.
Practice: It can be helpful to practice asking for what you want in a low-stakes setting before you try it in a more important situation. You can practice with a friend or by role-playing in front of a mirror.
- Be open to negotiation: Be open to negotiating other aspects of your compensation package, such as additional vacation days or flexible work arrangements, if the salary offer doesn’t meet your expectations.
- And finally, be gracious and professional: Regardless of the outcome of the negotiation, it’s important to remain gracious and professional. Thank the employer for their time and consideration, and keep the door open for future opportunities.
If you’d like to practice working on your negotiating skills Interview Coaching can help. We can go through an array of situations and conversations looking at different alternatives to phrasing your words and getting better results.