7 Questions to Ask When Negotiating Salary

Negotiating your salary can be a daunting task, and you’re not the only person that feels restrained to challenge the initial offer. It’s important to exercise your rights to negotiate your salary, and it’s a normal aspect of the employment process. If there is anything else that you should be concerned about is getting underpaid or the lack of employee benefits. Equip yourself with the right questions to amp up your negotiating skills so you can remove the anxiety during the interview and get the best outcome.

 

1. Is the salary open for negotiation?

The first trigger to initiate the discussion and always begin by showing your gratitude for the initial offer. Be polite throughout the negotiation and thank the interviewer for listening to your request before going deeper into the discussion. 

 

2. What other benefits are included and negotiable?

Besides looking into negotiating for your salary, you should consider other attractive offers such as:

• Medical insurance
• Annual leaves
• Sick Leaves
• Maternity Leaves
• Employees Provident Fund(EPF)
• Social Security Organisation(SOCSO)
• Education and training

 

If the benefits offer presented does not include the following basic employee benefits, you are strongly advised to negotiate those into your current offer. The worst-case that an employer does not accept the following benefits during negotiations, it’s best to move on to the next job offer.

 

3. How are the salary determined?

Instead of directly asking if the offer is negotiable, you can choose to ask whether the initial salary offered is a hard cap. Find out how your salary is calculated whether it’s based on your working experience, academic background and any other criteria that could be negotiated. 

 

4. How is the salary raise or promotion reviewed?

Under the circumstances you are unable to negotiate for an increase in your basic salary, the next best step is to assess the chances of getting a raise or promotion. Most companies tend to provide appraisal after 3 or 6 months of probation. It would be acceptable to pick up the initial salary offered while having a guaranteed evaluation for a salary increase after your probation period is over. Most importantly, you will know whether you will only retain your current salary for the rest of your career and decide how long you want to be part of the company.

 

5. Is remote working an option?

A fairly uncommon question and should not be the first question you ask when it comes to negotiating. Depending on your work nature and the feasibility, only should you consider asking if you are allowed to work from home  with a compelling reason. If the company does not allow remote working, you should decide whether it’s acceptable for you to come into the office for work every day. 

 

6. What are the professional growth opportunities in this job?

Most people tend to move on from their current job if there is no room or opportunity for personal or professional career growth. Climbing up the career ladder or picking up relevant skills and gaining new working experience is a good reason to find value at work. Before you should consider taking up the job offer, you need to ensure that there is a future for growth. This is important if you want to keep moving higher in your current career.

 

7. Can I get the initial salary offer in writing form?

Once you have asked the essential questions and come into terms with the negotiation, now would be the best time to request that everything discussed to be in written form. A written offer can act as proof that everything that was discussed between you and your employer has been agreed verbally and in written form. Once the document has been prepared, review all the details to ensure all the verbal agreements has been laid out in the paper. After reviewing, you need to be firm with agreements before signing the document. 

 

What is your take when it comes to negotiating for your salary? Leave us your thoughts on the comment sections below. Head over to Jobstore.com and unveil your next job opportunity.

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