When to Talk Salary

How to properly talk salary negotiations with your boss.

When To Talk Salary

Before the Job:

There are two methods of thought for when to bring up salary. One approach is to drive clear of salary talk until after you landed a job offer. The other way is to find out up front what the salary range is so you don't waste your time on something you don't want.

Each way has been a proven method of working, but not all the time. Talking about money is a very personal, individual thing, and you have to figure out which approach is a good one for you. Try this:

If you're pretty new to your career, and or you're struggling in a really competitive job market, it might be wise to put off salary talk until after you've landed the offer. Once you've sold the employer on your qualifications, you'll be in a better position to talk money. Even with this approach, you may not have the upper hand in salary negotiations until a year or two in the field.

On the other hand, if you're accomplished in your field, you know your minimum worth, and you don't want to waste your time applying for an under-paying job, doesn't it make sense to find out if the salary is at least in the ballpark before going through the whole application process? Maybe you don't want to pin down the exact figure, but knowing what the range is could save you and the employer a lot of time.


In the Midst of your Career

If you believe you are of deserving of a pay raise at your current career, do some homework first:

Familiarize yourself with your employer's pay practices. If the standard practice is to offer salary increases once a year after an annual review, you are unlikely to receive a raise at any other time. However, If your company offers more frequent increases, you'll have more luck asking for a pay raise. If the employer announces that the pay raises will be four percent across the board, you are unlikely to negotiate more money.

Read your employee guidebook. The handbook may illustrate the process whereby pay raises are granted. If a policy or a process exists, your best bet when asking for a pay raise, is to follow the process exactly.

Network with other employees in similar jobs in similar industries to determine your salary competitiveness. Professional associations also do salary surveys and provide networking opportunities with people in similar jobs. There are also multiple online portals that could give you a good indication of your deserving pay.