You just got off the phone with a potential employer and he asked you: “How much did you get paid?”
As you’re scrambling to think of a good response, you remember: you did not negotiate your salary. Your gut feeling is that you will not settle for less than you’re worth. You will need to make this clear to employers in your job offer letter.
Here’s how you can skillfully answer the question of how much you were paid for the job you accepted.
Negotiate, But Only Up To A Point
First, you need to negotiate, but only up to a point. You don’t want to appear to be greedy or pushy. You are looking for a fair market value for the job (your skills, experience and qualifications) and you want the employer to appreciate your point-of-view. In addition, you want to avoid hurting your chances of getting the job in the first place. So, when you negotiate, try to stay in the middle of the range and avoid going too high or too low. This will also help you determine the range of the acceptable offer. If you set a high bar for yourself, it’s possible that you will leave the table disappointed. On the other hand, if you set a low bar, you may accept an offer that is below your expectations.
Explain The Company’s Over-all Budget
After you negotiated your salary, you should have a fair idea of what the company can afford to pay you. It’s important to provide a clear picture of the company’s overall budget in your job offer letter. For example, if the company has financial constraints, it may be difficult for them to offer you more than a certain amount of money. They may have agreed to your initial offer because it was the best they could do under the circumstances. You are under no obligation to accept their offer, but you should know what your options are.
Mention The Other Benefits
One of the things that employers value the most is loyalty and respect for customers, suppliers and other employees. When you mention these benefits, you are showing that you value the company’s relationship with its customers, suppliers and employees. Your enthusiasm about the company will rub off on the reader and make them feel more positive about the employer. In general, if you can get extra benefits for the company, it usually goes unmentioned in the negotiations. However, if the benefits are something special, you can write about them in your job offer letter. For example, the company may provide insurance for employees, or it may have a charitable trust that supports the local community. In addition, you can negotiate for a better work environment or better work-life balance. If you bring these benefits to the attention of the employer and mention them in your job offer letter, you are showing that you are a serious candidate who can be relied upon.
What About Your Previous Experience?
The employer wants to know your previous experience. However, you should not feel obligated to list every job you have had. You should focus on the responsibilities you had and the tasks you performed. A good rule of thumb is to list your most recent job first, followed by a summary of your professional career.
Why Do You Want This Job?
After you’ve discussed your previous experience and the responsibilities you have, it’s important to explain why you want this job. The employer is interested in knowing your motivation for applying. This can be a difficult question for job seekers, as it requires you to be really vulnerable. Be honest and state the reason that you are interested in the job. For example, you might say:
“I want to work in an environment where I can use my skills and experience. I feel that I can make a valuable contribution, and with your help, I believe I can succeed in this endeavor.”
You’re not revealing your weaknesses, you’re just stating the truth. This openness will help the employer see you as a trustworthy individual.
Hopefully, this article will give you some good ideas on how to answer the question of how much you were paid for the job you accepted. Remember, you are under no obligation to take the job. You are however, showing the employer that you are interested in the position. So, be sure to craft a thoughtful answer that will make them want to say yes to your request.