Getting paid a competitive salary for your hours, skills, knowledge, and effort is essential. Proper compensation can help you feel valued for your time and encourage growth in your career while helping you contribute your best effort to your employer.

It would be great if salary negotiations were less awkward. Finding the right thing to say can be tricky. To help make the process smoother and easier on your end, we suggest following our top tips.

These include everything from learning about common salary standards in your sector to practicing what to say.

We’ve also presented some leading salary negotiation email templates to help get you started. Salary negotiation emails can be written seamlessly and effortlessly with a bit of help. Whether it’s time to negotiate a new salary or a raise, we can help you get the ball rolling.

Ready to dive in?

Check out our top tips and templates for negotiating your next job offer with success. You can also save any of Text Blaze's free templates as shortcuts and insert them anywhere across Chrome.

Familiarize yourself with salary trends in your sector

The best first step you can take when negotiating your salary is to learn about salary norms in your chosen industry. Being informed gives you a realistic starting point and perspective on what other people are earning.

Some of the best resources for doing this research are found online. Check out the salary guide from companies like Robert Half in the US and Canada. These are available online for free and can provide you with the going rate in your field.

Remember, if your potential job is considered to be in-demand, you may have more leeway in the top salary you can ask for and expect to be met with a ‘yes’. Essentially, with specialized skills, you have more leverage to work with.

Consider the perks and benefits you seek

Perks and benefits like vacation time and dental coverage are items you can and should factor into your salary negotiations. You might also consider negotiating a work-from-home schedule, if this suits you. Think about what is of value to you. Zero in on these factors. Write them down if you’re not sure what they are, as a way to focus your thoughts.

If you are considering multiple job offers that seem similar, compare the benefits packages offered in detail to help you with your decision.

Remember, professional development and extra vacation days can also count!

List your skills and benefits to support your request

In order to help you build a strong case, it can help to list your own skills on paper and detail what benefits you bring to the company. If you’re negotiating a raise with your current employer, take time to reflect on how you have gone above and beyond in the previous year in your position and your efforts. Give your employer specific reasons to agree with your salary request. Have you put in long hours and landed new clients? Have you created systems in place that have helped the company move forward? Detail these in writing to help build your case.

Remember, honesty is the best policy

Let's take a moment to touch on a sketchy subject. It can be tempting to create a false, competing job offer when negotiating a salary for a new job. This can land you in a difficult spot, however. You don’t want to be found out! It’s not worth risking your professional integrity and starting off on the wrong foot in your relationship with your future employer.

Stick to the facts and be honest. If you’re asked about your previous compensation, tell the truth without embellishing. Reveal how much you have been paid, and state why you feel you merit the compensation you’re asking for. Work forwards from where you are. As with everything, honesty is the best policy!

Be reasonable

In order to be successful you want to also be reasonable. It’s possible that you’ll land a multimillion dollar contract, but it’s more probable that you won’t. Once you research common salary standards in your sector, use these as a guide. Stay within reasonable industry expectations for the best results.

Stay positive, confident, and tactful

Being friendly, approachable, and cheerful can go a long way. It’s good to keep in mind that it’s likely your hiring manager doesn’t love negotiating salaries, either.

Approach the conversation with positivity and avoid sounding defensive. Keep your speaking tone positive and friendly, and remember to present yourself with confidence. Be polite and envision why you’re asking for a better salary and why you think you deserve it.

Obtain signed documents

Once your salary negotiations are complete, be sure to get the details in writing. Your compensation package should include your salary amount, and any additional perks such as a signing bonus or moving expenses.

Be sure to get documentation related to your benefits as well, and a full list of your job responsibilities. Without this in writing, it may be changed informally at a later date. By having written documentation of what was agreed upon, you have real words to back up the results of your negotiation.

Salary Negotiation Template Examples

Ready to start? To help you come up with a message in your salary negotiations, we’ve developed some templates you’re free to copy, paste, and use at your leisure. Whether you’re negotiating a salary for a new position or asking for a raise, finding the right words can be important.

Negotiating for a new position

Negotiating with an existing employer

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