I recently changed jobs, after working just under 3 years at my previous job. Changing jobs is never easy, from the researching and interview process (which can feel itself like a part-time job). It can be tough to say goodbye and go through the transition process. During the process, it’s important to not only get the job you want, it’s also important to get the job at the right salary, location and other perks. I had always heard how important it is to negotiate your new job, and am pleased to pass along that I was successful in doing so! Although certainly not an expert, I did want to pass along a few things I learned.

Knew it’s important

I had always heard that negotiating is something you should do, but never really go the opportunity to do so. My first job right out of college said they didn’t negotiate, and I wasn’t really in a spot to do so as a fresh college grad. My second job I actually completely forgot to negotiate, the salary was much higher than my current job and I was too dumbfounded to say any other than ‘yes’. For my third job (which I just started), I finally felt like I was in a spot to negotiate, as I didn’t have to leave my current job, was fairly happy there and was looking for a truly better gig. It also didn’t hurt that I have a friend who works in HR and she also lectured me when she heard I was interviewing to make sure I negotiated. With that in mind and feeling like I was in a spot to negotiate, I kept it on my radar and made sure I did so.

Knew what I wanted

Mrs. Money and I have been in Atlanta for a number of years now, and it feels like home to us. Therefore, I knew that I didn’t want to move and wouldn’t be interested in a job in another city. So, when the company I now have a job with told me the positions were just in Dallas or Indianapolis, I politely declined. I knew that I wanted to stay in Atlanta, and I knew that they had a big office here. Although not right away, they said they’d stay in touch and did end up reaching back out when a position in Atlanta came open. I also was ok in my current job, and therefore knew what kind of a salary I wanted – one that moved the needle and was considerably higher. At my old job I knew we had some great benefits, and I knew that I would want a job that continued to offer good benefits.

The first step to a successful negotiation is knowing what’s important to you. Figure out what you value (location, career development, salary, flexibility) and make sure you work to get those things while not worrying as much about the other stuff that you don’t value as much.

Knew what I could get

Once you’ve established what you want, you can start going after it in a negotiation for a new job. The next step is to figure out what you can get. You have to be realistic going into a negotiation, knowing that you can actually get, what you are actually worth, and what’s feasible. Of course you can’t ask for a huge raise if you don’t have the tenure. You can’t ask for a half a million-dollar salary if your previous salary was $50,000. Do you homework and figure out what’s actually realistic in terms of a negotiation. Get on Glassdoor.com or other sites to get a sense of what that job or similar jobs pay. Compare your current salary and trajectory, both looking at where you’re going from a career and raise standpoint. Ideally new jobs would come with more money and more opportunity; otherwise it may just make more sense to stay at your current job.

Going into negotiating with my new job, I knew I wanted to raise the bar in terms of my salary. I asked a few other friends at the current company to get a sense of what the salary range so I wouldn’t be blindsided going into the interviews. When the initial offer came out, it was only a little higher than my current salary. I knew that I’d be up for another 3-5% raise at my old job so, the first offer wasn’t that high. Changing jobs is hard, and I wanted my new salary to really move the needle to help me make the jump. I knew that with my years of experience in the industry that I was worth more than they were offering, and used that to my advantage knowing that I could, and should, get more.

Knew how to ask for it

I’ve heard before that you should always counter and ask for more money, that the initial offer is always a lowball offer and that they expect you to ask for more and have built in a little wiggle room. So, I knew that I would have to ask for more. I also brought a few bargaining chips to the table – notably in the start date. They mentioned that they really wanted me to start before the end of October, and I knew that on November 1^stthat more of my retirement account would vest. It wasn’t a ton of money but starting on November 2^ndwould be better for me financially. So if they wanted me to start in October, they would have to sweeten the offer. I also knew that my bonus was coming up in February as well as my annual raise, all things I was sure to mention as to why I felt like more money now would go a long way.

I never specifically asked for a dollar amount, and kept it a little vague that I was hoping for more. I could tell that they really wanted to hire me, and used that to my advantage. The hiring manager called it out saying, “it seems you’re a little hesitant in saying yes” and that’s when I said I was hoping for a little more money. They discussed internally and then came back with a higher offer that was much more appealing to me! I still asked for 24 hours to think it over, and then the next day verbally accepted.

Negotiating isn’t fun for most people, and companies know this and will bank on the fact that you will accept a lower offer. Even a little effort on your side of the negotiating table can really add up and earn you a much sweet job offer! Best of luck in your negotiating and job hunting endeavors!

 What about you – any successes or failures negotiating and any tips to pass along?