Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not Worry about Earthly Economy

Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not Worry about Earthly EconomySalary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not Worry about Earthly EconomyShould you negotiate at all when the economy is slow and companies are feeling the pinch?The Ten Commandments of Salary Negotiation (parte 8) Salary expert Jack Chapman offers 10 lessons on salary negotiation in the vein of the Ten Commandments.A lot of people wonder whetzu sich they should negotiate at all when the economy is slow and companies are feeling the pinch.Unemployed job seekers are especially prone to such doubts after theyve been out of work for many months, they are relieved to have an offer - any offer. They fear that if they negotiate, they can upset the trust theyve built up over the interview process. They cringe at the thought of being told, Theres a long line of people whod love to have this job. If you dont like my offer, we can always hire another.It feels like groveling is the order of the day. But fear not Youre not negotiating w ith the economy, youre dealing with a hiring decision maker who needs you.Of course, the extent to which needs you applies has changed dramatically over recent years. For example, in the heyday of the dot-com 90s, fresh college grads were negotiating hefty comp packages. Companies were so desperate to get techies on board, they would agree to practically anything. Negotiations sounded like this You want a masseuse to give you a rubdown twice a week? No problem. You want to bring your parrot to work? Sure, how does the bird like his steak cooked?Today, even people with years of experience and sterling track records may face obstacles getting back in the race. Still, that doesnt mean you shouldnt negotiate. Just because the playing field has changed, doesnt mean that you should meekly accept whatever they offer. Negotiations are part of the hiring game. If you agree to whatever they offer, it will hurt your paycheck (obviously), and it may also make the employer value you less.Think o f what happens in another setting where negotiations are expected the garage sale. Suppose youre selling an item that isnt hard to find - say, a clock. It works. Its not a bad-looking clock, but its a common item. Thats like the low-demand job market. You put a low price kalendertag on it, you dont negotiate, and maybe even offer to throw it in for free with another purchase. Your communication affects the potential buyers feelings about the clock, and the buyer may even refuse to take it if you offer it for free.On the other hand, if youre selling that great-looking, expensive leather jacket thats in mint condition but doesnt fit you any more, you will be a tough negotiator. Youll pad the price a bit to give you a little wiggle room because you know people like to bargain at garage sales. By tough negotiating, you communicate that the item has high value. If you set your price too low or come down in price too easily, the buyer may wonder if theres something wrong with the jacket. Likewise, by tough negotiating, you communicate your own worth. Good companies expect you to negotiate for your value. Far from hindering your job search, the ability to negotiate helps you get the respect you need to get hired for good positions or to get better raises.Now, in flush times, youre more likely to get what you ask for than lean ones. Its probably true that in a tight economy you wont get everything you ask for. But you can count on one thing being the saatkorn in both good times and in bad If you dont ask, you wont receive. Its never improper to ask. The employer may cry poor and decline, but that doesnt mean dont ask.Sometimes asking now will pay off later. I coached a particularly energetic entry-level bank branch manager named Victor to ask for $5,000 more than the average salary for that position. The president said he couldnt go that high but said that he pays for performance. Three months later, the boss was impressed with Victors results and added five grand to his salary. Would that have happened if Victor had just said, OK to the first offer?So youre not negotiating with an economy, you are talking to a human being whos trying to get ahead in his/her own career. If you can do the job, you deserve to be compensated. Ask for what you deserve.Read other installments in this seriesPart 1 Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not Speak Too SoonPart 2 Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not Regret Salary DisclosurePart 3 Salary Negotiation Tips Let the Employer Make the First Salary OfferPart 4 Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not AgreePart 5 Salary Negotiation Tips Know How Much Money Youre WorthPart 6 Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Covet Thine Own Benefits and PerksPart 7 Salary Negotiation Tips This Is the Job Thou CovetethPart 8 Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not Worry about Earthly EconomyPart 9 Salary Negotiation Tips Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of Thy Salary in VainPart 10 Salary Negotiation Tips Honor Thy Wealth and Prosperity