Peer Career Consultant Blogs

Your employment compensation is an important consideration in deciding on a full-time role and feeling valued at work. Negotiating a salary can be intimidating but is something that I believe everyone should skillfully know how to do before entering the workforce. A higher salary can have tangible advantages like paying for living expenses or relocation costs, but it can also boost motivation and provide long-term satisfaction in your position. 

Here are some tips to help you prepare to negotiate your salary:

Tip 1: Figure out why you want a higher salary. Does the job offer require a relocation? Is the cost of living higher than where you now live? What benefits do the offer already include? It’s important to look at the offer letter as a whole to determine how much you may already receive in terms of compensation. From there, you can factor in additional external expenditures like moving fees and living expenses to arrive at an amount that is sufficient for you to live more comfortably. 

Tip 2: Do your research. You want to make sure that your offer is rational and reasonable based on your role. Conducting research will assist you in calculating a number that takes into account the various pay scales based on geographical area and the qualifications for your role. This can be as simple as searching up the average salary range for a new hire in your position or asking different mentors and employees about their own starting salary.

Tip 3: Understand your values. Employers will typically pay you based on your background and level of experience. As a returning intern, you hold more power than you think, which can help leverage your negotiation. Most employers prefer to employ a returning intern over a new hire because they typically have developed skills and experiences that are most respected at that company. Having experience in a similar industry also gives you transferable skills that can be highlighted when negotiating. Regardless of your prior employment, your negotiation will only be effective if you display confidence in the values that you’ve built for yourself as a professional. 

Tip 4: Be honest to your employer. Don’t try to beat around the bush when negotiating your salary. Be clear and concise with what you want, and don’t be afraid to tell them a salary range that you would want them to consider. I recommend speaking with your company in person or over the phone to discuss how you can make the salary offer more appealing to you. It can be daunting, but employers are used to negotiating, so make sure you are confident in the offer you are giving to them.  

Overall, you will benefit from requesting a pay raise because there are no negative effects! The worst thing an employer can say is "no," and if that's the case, you'll just be more prepared to negotiate for a higher pay in the future.