How To Negotiate Salary For Your First Job

If you are like many us and our candidates at Muovo, you dread the question about salary at your interview.

Is it not difficult to put a definite price on your talents, personal traits, education, background and experiences?

Yes, indeed.

However, candidates must come to terms with the dire truth that all managers can use this questions as a good indicator of a lot of things.

Muovo would like to share with you an article published by Marie Larsen in Recruiter.com on how to negotiate salary effectively for your first job. The following are three questions listed by Larsen in her article:

1. Are the candidate’s expectations realistic?  
2.  Are the candidate’s expectations in line with our budgetary restrictions?  
3.  How much value does the candidate place on himself or herself as an employee?

It can be challenging to figure out which of these questions the recruiter is trying to have answered, especially if you are new to the job market.

In this case, it is a good idea to make sure that you have a response prepared in advance. This question is complex enough that you cannot simply answer it by saying “minimum wage” or “whatever the going rate is”.

Keep in mind that the interview process is an opportunity for both the recruiter and the candidate to determine if this job will be a good fit for them and vice versa. While you should not sell yourself short, you should have a few things ready before heading into that interview and being asked the question “what are your salary expectations?”

Remember to Do Your Research
There is a wealth of information available online that can help you determine what the going rate is for your particular field, position and level of experience.

Never refuse an interview on the basis of assumed salary expectations as the information provided online should only be used as a guideline.

Provide A Range, Not A Figure
It is always safer to provide a hiring manager with a range that you are hoping to fall within as opposed to a hard and fast figure.

Providing an exact figure can put off a hiring manager, especially if it is too high.  For example if you are going to an interview for an entry-level administrative position and you have no previous experience, you would fall on the lower end of the scale.

Always deliver your response confidently, and do not allow the intonation in your voice to turn your answer into a question.

A smart recruiter can recognize a candidate who has done their homework and is able to be realistic while at the same time, not selling him or herself short.

Have you negotiate a salary recently, and made a success? How did you do it? Muovo would like to hear from you!

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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