How to Negotiate Salary for Your Next Career Move

Posted by Kempsey Resume on 18 Oct 2025

A salary negotiation can be an arduous process because it is about balancing what you believe you’re worth with what an employer thinks they can afford. However, if done correctly it can result in positive for both parties that results in a better salary for the employee, as well as greater employee engagement in their work. Here’s how to negotiate your salary confidently.

The most important takeaways

  • Before you negotiate your salary, research market rates and industry standards to ensure that your salary request is realistic.
  • Get information from socializing with colleagues, using websites like LinkedIn Salary and Glassdoor, and reaching out to professional networks.
  • Prepare talking points ahead of time, including education & certifications and years of relevant knowledge, accomplishments and achievements as well as unique skill sets and capabilities, knowledge of the industry, and potential for training.
  • During the negotiation, be confident and clear, but be flexible and open. Bring out tangible results you have achieved in previous roles.
  • Keep a positive and upbeat tone throughout the conversation and make sure you are listening actively.

Do your research

Before entering into any pay negotiation, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough investigation of standard industry rates and market rates to make sure that your salary proposal is reasonable. Factors that might impact the amount you are offered could be your experience levels, the size of your company and the location of the company. (?). One way to gather information is to make connections with colleagues or other professionals who are in the same area of work.

Research Online

Utilizing online sources, like [LinkedIn SalaryUtilizing some of the online resources, such as [LinkedIn Salary (https: //www. linkedin. com/salary) and [Glassdoor] (https: //www. glassdoor. com/Salaries/index. http://www.salaries.com/index.html) you can obtain a more substantial approach towards the benchmarking range of salary companies pay for the same role which will gives you an idea about current market rate and a few other aspects related to a job.

Your Network Is Vital

Find out more about your situation by talking with people who have had similar roles, or reaching out through the professional networks as well as brainstorming members of professional associations.

Create talking points

Time spent preparing for any meeting is time well spent. You’ll feel more confident in presenting your case if you have a clearly defined set of talk points that you have outlined before the deadline.

Here are some examples of things that you could consider during your salary negotiation:

  • Education and certification
  • Experience gained through years of relevant work
  • The results and accomplishments
  • Unique set of skills and attributes (e.g. the ability to speak two languages)
  • Know-how in the field
  • Potential for training

Notes and notebooks can be helpful during conversations so that you don’t miss any important points.

Be confident & concise

When you negotiate your salary, it’s important to be confident and clear. Speak clearly about your experiences of accomplishments and your expectations. It’s essential to maintain your tone of voice positive throughout the conversation so that the employer doesn’t feel like you’re seeming hostile.

Show tangible results

Simply saying that you are driven, hardworking, and goal-oriented may not be enough to generate an impactful appeal. Make sure to provide precise statistics about how your previous positions made a an impact in the workplace or how valuable are specific qualities that can benefit an organization.

Stay flexible

If your employer isn’t able to agree to your salary or compensation package Being flexible and open will help open the door to dialog. It is possible to inquire about alternatives to incentives, such as performance-based bonus arrangements instead of the Base salary(? ).

Make sure to remain professional throughout the negotiation process - no matter how well or not: Being too aggressive or imposing unreasonable demands can lead to a negative outcome for everyone that is.

Practice active listening

Listening is as crucial as communicating in these types of conversations. Be attentive to the other party during negotiations hearing specific requests and resolving doubts, if necessary, while keeping to the what you originally requested. Both parties should ultimately come out with acceptable results.

Take what you have learned from these discussions and incorporate them into future negotiations you’ll likely take part in. Applying the advice above goes far in maximizing your chances of reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial.

Your network is important Talk to your friends who’ve held similar roles or connect with professional networks as well as brainstorming members of professional associations.
Prepare Talk points Certification and education, Years of relevant experience, Performance and accomplishments, Unique skills and characteristics (e.g., bilingualism) and industry knowledge. Potential for training
Be confident & concise Talk clearly about your personal experiences your accomplishments and expectations for the job. Focus on tangible results.
Keep your mind open Consider alternative incentives such as incentive structures based on performance rather than Base salary. (?). Make sure to remain professional during the negotiation process.
Practice active listening Listening is equally as important as communicating in these kinds of conversations. Take what you have learned from these conversations and incorporate them into the future conversations you’ll probably be involved in.


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Frequently asked questions

What is salary negotiation?

The process involves discussing and finalizing the compensation package for a position. When you negotiate this you will be able to discuss not just your salary base, but also other benefits like health insurance, retirement plans and much more.

Why is it necessary to negotiate salary?

Negotiating your salary will give you a better financial future and show you’re aware of what you’re worth. It can also help you keep money off the table.

When should I start negotiating the salary?

It’s best to begin negotiating following the acceptance of an offer to ensure everyone is informed of what’s being discussed. In this way, negotiations will be focused on securing optimal terms and avoid unintentional surprises.

What happens if I am completely satisfied with the deal I received without any negotiation?

If you are offered a job and are content with it, there may be no need to bargain. However, it’s still essential to have transparent communication about what your employer’s expectations with regards to things like performance-based bonuses or career-training reimbursements.

Can I negotiate my salary if I change careers entirely?

Salary negotiation when changing career paths could require additional training because your previous work experiences might not translate or encapsulate new responsibilities. Research what similar roles in related industries pay, to develop a thorough comprehension of realistic expectations for you, based on the particular circumstances you face.

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