What Hiring Managers Think During Salary Negotiations
It’s easy to tell your friends to negotiate when they receive a job offer. But what about you? There is this grumbling voice that says, “Don’t do anything that could ruin everything.” While you would tell your friend to take a deep breath and relax, it’s only natural to react this way when it seems like your new exciting pose is still on the line.
This post was originally published on the Muse website .
But you should know that in almost every case, the company expects you to negotiate, and it is in your best interest to give it a shot. In fact, a study by Salary.com found that 84% of employers expect job seekers to agree on salaries at the interview stage.
If you’re not sure yet, know this: The hiring manager is also on his toes when it comes to salary negotiations . He is nervous that you will not accept his best offer – yes, he is nervous, remember, he also thought about this decision a lot and decided that he really wanted you to work there. Really! I know this because when I was a recruiter, I often had the following conversations with hiring managers.
1. “I hope we can pay this person enough.”
Most people I know go to great lengths to immediately offer what they think is a fair salary. In many cases, they have the opportunity to offer a little more if the candidate is negotiating. However, I lost track of the sleepless nights I went through while waiting for someone to take a job. This may sound silly, but trust me – ask any recruiter who has lost their main goal to a competitor offering more money, and they will tell you that when the company reaches its maximum value, there is little that the hiring manager can do. but wait.
What does this mean to you
Do some research on what the fair market value is for this role. If you think the offer you received is unfair, do not be afraid to counter the offer. While many employers try not to cheat you right off the bat, companies quite often expect job seekers to respond. Even if your compensation package isn’t entirely unfounded, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself with respect if you feel you deserve more. The hiring manager laid his cards out on the table offering you a job, so you have a lot more power than you think.
2. “I am nervous that this candidate has several proposals on the table.”
I recently heard from several people who were afraid the company would find out that they were considering multiple job offers. In particular, these people were worried about how each company would react to it.
But here’s a fun fact: as a recruiter, I was also worried about this from time to time – and often found myself struggling to find a way to get this person to choose us.
What does this mean to you
The fact that employers think this is really good news for you. So, be transparent with the hiring manager if you are choosing between the two . Avoid leveraging one company to get more money from another, but don’t sell yourself too low.
If your top pick offers the lowest salary, give the hiring manager a little nudge. You won’t lose an offer if you tell him or her that the job is your first choice, but you will find that the offer is slightly below market value for similar roles elsewhere.
3. “I really hope it works.”
I cannot stress this enough. Employers don’t send out job offers to candidates that force them to say, “Yes, this will probably work for us.” They usually try to hire people who inspire them with what they add to the team.
So, when a company sends you an offer letter, the hiring manager crosses his fingers and toes in the hopes that you will accept the offer, and in most cases they expect you to ask for a higher salary. Just ask Muse writer Sarah McCord about her $ 10,000 career mistake . And when you hit back, they get a little nervous that they might actually lose you.
What does this mean to you
At this point, you might think that you have all the credentials in the world to ask for several million dollars a year. And I wish it were true. But at the same time, show a little empathy for the hiring manager. She’s really excited to (potentially) hire you, and I know from previous experience that even the most amazing candidates can’t change a company’s budget for a position.
There is of course room for wiggle room and you should feel 100% comfortable discussing your salary. But remember, the hiring manager is on your side right now and is probably doing everything he can to get you to join the team. So treat this process as a conversation and not as a fight.
This is understandable if you’ve made it to the end and still think you can’t muster the courage to ask for a higher salary. And I understand that discussing money with anyone is sometimes difficult, and especially scary when it comes to a potential employer. But trust me, you’ve worked hard to get to this point. You have a proposal and you have a lot more power than you think. If you really need a little extra help, consider talking to a negotiation coach . Either way, you got it – and you deserve fair compensation.
3 Realistic Thoughts That Have A Hiring Manager When You Negotiate Salaries | Muse