How to successfully negotiate your salary?

I think what you have suggested is a really good Idea Kiran, I guess that had to do with some experience while negotiating :) But on a serious not one needs to be really frank and tell why they really need a hike and while stating one’s expectations, there should be enough clarity that one is looking for a higher salary because of either a change of location or expenses incurred on child’s education and conveyance etc in the new place would be higher. So, stating why you really need a hike will help you in negotiating a better deal for yourself. Thanks for placing this question here.

To negotiate a better salary is not the right phrase. Nogotiate a correct salary is the right term. The moment you get a better salary than you deserve, organisation is going to realise that soon and you will slow down in next increments if you dont perform far exceeding expectations - which is usually not easy.

So to negotiate correct salary, one should clearly understand Oraganisation in all respects - How they value their resources, such as human resources, financial resources. You should know about the working culture, their ambitious plans about the growth or their struggle for the survival. Internal organizational issues and the coherence of views between the top managers.

You should also know very well what is the role. DO you have clear idea of the role and will you be sticking to that role or after 3 or 6 months of period will you be shifted downwards or horizontally? Are you getting in to a vacancy or are you occupying a newly created role. If you are getting into a newly created role, expect some corrections as the role matures or you handle the role.

Know your capabilities thoroughly. You can't take up roles which are beyond your capabilities. Then you will not have confidence to ask for the right salary at the same time you feel you are not getting enough for the role. On the otherhand, employer feels you are not doing justice to the salary you are drawing.

 using the knowledge of these three factors and the need for the role in the organization, prepare your case, points that will sell you and the amount of risk you can take to handle the new position etc. Finally arrive at a number beyond which you shouldn't go down. If you are not getting that number either your assessment is wrong or you are asking for too much and ultimately you are yielding for the low rate or there is not that much need which you also know thus you are agreeing with reluctance.

If you stick to the number beyond which you can't go down or up, you will be satisfied with your negotiations.

After so many negotiations, atleast I have gained some knowledge, one should do their self appraisal and then think realistically what is their worth in the organization, and based upon those facts one should negotiate their salary. And also one should know the current industry trends like what is the percentage of hike elsewhere one is offering and with this one has to go about negotiating their salary it should not be too high or too low as the first one gives the impression of that you are here for just financial gain and the latter gives you dissappointment in the longer run. So this is what I have learnt in all these years while not negotiating my salary properly and I would like others to help people like me out in negotiating for a better salary. please give your Ideas in this regard.

and salary will follow. If you like what you do and you allocate time to improve yourself - this is the easiest way to get salary raises, you don't really need to negotiate, just state that you would be glad to receive increase. 

It is also good test how you are perceived (if your job is valued and needed). 

This way is not for everyone. 

Actually it won't ever get you any success if you negotiate with the Management for a better "hike". They might oblige you once, but the next time onwards you will face much more difficulty.

If you do not like a job, just change. 

I think doing a market analysis should help negotiating the salary well.It helps a person to understand his current salary and negotiations could be done basis the analysis,role and cost of living(in case of relocation).

i think good skills always appreciated by company by giving good salary...

Hi Kiran,

It is not about neogociation the salary, You should creat a situtaion that they need you so your strategy should be storng in terms of technicality.In that case you are in more demand So creat stratey is imporatant

The best way to negotiate the salary is to first know your skills and check the KRA of the position you are being offered. See the challenges you will be facing and the market trend and be confident when you discuss the same with company. Instead of negotiating on the salary make company aware of your skills and the benefits you can bring in short & long terms. If the company is convinced on this then there is little room for negotiations. You will get what you want.

I agree with all that market research , self appraisal , values & contributin the work one has done towards achieving the organization goals & objectives , performance and knowledge helps a lot while doing the negotiating process but still I find time is something which really play a very crucial role in deciding the final outcome of the process which shouldn't be ingored on..I think we have to start the negotiation process right time in the year rather waiting for it to come and then create our own case with all the information & data points which could be helpful in supporting the negotiable process in our favour...

You will be counted upon your total years of experience as well. Mostly there will be a marginal increase during your career's initial 2-4 yrs. After you gain some good experience in your domain its up to you how far you want to go. Its than purely a negotiation skills and sometimes you need to produce other good offer in hand to get better appraisal as this is how normally you get noticed.

If you  were there more than 3 years and still think how negotiate you and the company are not suitable each other. Leave the job immediately and find a new job.

Every organisation must have a very justifiable and fixed salary structure based on the positioning. If it is not available in that organisation, you should out rightly quit that organisation.

Please remember, you can negotiate on working conditions, expertise and positioning side with your employers in view of utilising your potential in a better way in the interest of the organisation...

Try to read the company structure for their limitation and your ability to stand for the profile for the money you are looking for.

it is impartant to read the person infront of you, this is applicable for all negotiation if you have impressed him then start confusing him with more to estoblish the credit note for your salary. if you have not impressed regarding work personality. dont try extra on money.

Second step is read company limits and tyour limits.