Driving towards a higher salary: a step-by-step plan
As an employee, you receive a salary in exchange for your work. The amount of your wages expresses how much you are worth to your employer. Do you actually think you should earn more? In this article, we provide you with a step-by-step plan for assessing what you are entitled to – and for negotiating this with your employer.
- What can you earn?
What salary you can get depends on various factors: think of position, responsibilities, experience, education, age and the need for people in your position. Salaries for the same type of work also vary by region, company and sector.
- What are you entitled to?
To determine whether your salary is in line with the market, you can do a few things. First of all, there are tools available that provide insight. The Salary Compass of Intermediair for example, in which you immediately see what others in your industry earn. The Salary check from Wage Indicator is also a handy tool, and is somewhat more extensive than the Salary Compass. In addition, you can simply ask colleagues and friends what they earn: they do not have to give exact amounts, of course, a range of € 500 or € 1.000 can already give you a good idea. Are you covered by a collective labor agreement? Then you can also take a look at that, it often contains a pay scale with a minimum and maximum salary. This indicates how much you can still grow.
- Choose your moment
Have you decided you want to earn more? Then it's time to negotiate. Think carefully about when you start this. Are you starting a new job or position, have you just had a good assessment interview, successfully completed a process or learned something new? Then this is the perfect time to start the negotiations.
- How do you start the conversation?
Prepare well for this conversation. Think for yourself what you are worth, and what you want to earn. Determine a clear lower and upper limit. Substantiate your salary wish: what entitles you to more salary? Have you been given more tasks or responsibilities or have you performed well recently? And if a tool shows that your salary is not in line with the market, feel free to show this to your employer. Finally, make sure you keep track of successes and have concrete examples ready.
- Dare to ask
The most important thing is that you dare to ask for more salary. It doesn't help if you think for your employer. If necessary, act as if you are negotiating for someone else. If you don't ask for anything, you often get nothing. Of course the answer can be 'no', but then you can ask what needs to change in order to qualify for a salary increase. Make clear agreements about this and always put them on paper. Are you getting anything done with your negotiation? Then, of course, also record this in writing.
- Bet high
If you start with the amount you actually want, you will have no room for negotiation and you will definitely end up lower. So always add a little extra. Moreover, don't be blinded by money: you may be able to negotiate fringe benefits, such as a company car or bicycle, extra vacation days or a bonus scheme. So look at the complete package of employment conditions and career opportunities in the long term. And you don't get the salary you hoped for? Then you can always ask your employer to accommodate you after six months – or if you have proven yourself.
More information
Would you like some help with your negotiation with your employer? Do you want to spar with someone about your options and your situation? Then contact our specialists. They are happy to talk to you. They can be reached every working day from 8.30 a.m. to 17.00 p.m sc@unie.nl en (0345) 851 963.
