“What is your current CTC?”
Let's be honest, convincing recruiters that you are worth more than your current CTC is the most difficult part of an interview.
However, negotiating a salary offer shouldn't intimidate you. It’s the perfect segment, to grab the recruiter’s attention and show what you're worth. And if you want to ace your next salary negotiation rounds, Kool Kanya is here to help you with our PowerPass course, "Job Prep: Get Job Ready And Improve Your Hiring Chances”. This e-learning course will act as a thorough guide that will teach you how to show a recruiter that you are worth more than what you made before.
PowerPass also includes more such courses where you can learn about everything from event planning and social media, to the nuances of digital marketing, and much more.
Convincing the recruiter that you’re worth more than your current CTC doesn't need to be as intimidating. Here are some salary negotiation tips to help you get the salary you deserve.
Index
- Let them initiate the conversation
- Know the market salary trend for your job
- Make your case
- Consider perks and other benefits
- Don’t stretch it
- Sit back, and be positive
Let them initiate the conversation
Don't answer or bring up salary questions too quickly when you're going through the initial rounds of the job interview. You need to be sneaky and wait to discuss your salary history until you are specifically asked about it.
The first round of negotiations is not the time to reveal your desired pay range, despite the fact that you should have one in mind. If it comes up, you can rely on the following responses:
- "I'm not familiar enough with the job's responsibilities yet to give you an accurate salary range"
- “At this stage of the interview process, I do not have a clear range in mind, but I will certainly have one by the end of the second round.”
- “That's a great question. Would you be able to tell me what the range for this role is?”
Know the market salary trend for your job
Salary negotiation is a key part of any interview, so when the time comes, you need to be as well-informed as possible before you answer.
- Do your research well on the market trends for the job you're applying for.
- Compare it to other organisations, and see where you stand based on your experience.
- Check out platforms like Glassdoor and Payscale to get the most accurate information on the current salary trends in your field.
Make your case
Don't immediately counter with a higher number based on your research after getting a salary offer. Take the time to tell the recruiters why you think you deserve more. Talk about your strengths, your accomplishments, and everything else you can offer. Don't be too pushy at this stage; you need to sound humble and respectful. Do your homework ahead of time and write down everything you can do to help the company grow.
Example:
Do not say “I deserve more money because I graduated from X and worked at Y.”
Say “Given my years of experience in X area, as well as all of the other skills I'll be bringing to the table, I believe I deserve more.”
Consider perks and other benefits
A lot of companies don't just pay employees with money; they also offer other perks and benefits. It is a way for companies to save money by compensating employees with more vacation time off, flexible hours, and, most recently, the option to work from home.
Think about what you value and what would make an offer more interesting. If you're looking at more than one offer, make sure to compare health insurance coverage, retirement savings plans, and other benefits directly so you can make the smart choice.
Don’t stretch it
A decent employer doesn’t withdraw the offer when you attempt to negotiate, they are willing to hear you make your case. Just remember not to overdo it, many freshers think they are making their case but stretch it to the point that it starts to sound like bragging. The goal is to talk about yourself and what you can offer while still sounding humble.
Sit back, and be positive
You've done everything you can to show the recruiter why you're worth more than your previous salary. Now, just relax and be confident that the recruiters will come back with a new offer. If they don't, it's their loss, and you shouldn't be stuck on it; just move on. You will find an organisation that sees your real value.
Summary
- Do good research and be ready.
- Write down what you want to say before you say it.
- Wait for them to start the conversation.
- Take perks offered into consideration.
- Don't try too hard.
- Lastly, don't think about it too much. While you wait, start getting ready for your next interview.
So this is how you negotiate salary in an interview. We hope that this blog will help you show recruiters how valuable you really are so that they give you the CTC you deserve. If you want to learn more about how to negotiate in an interview, you can take our course "Job Prep: Get Job Ready And Improve Your Hiring Chances." Sign up with Kool Kanya today!
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