Put a cover on your emotions before entering into salary increment negotiations. But you should still have a clear strategy on how much you want.

“Timing is everything!”   So when is the right time to ask for a higher salary?

In connection with a change of job, it is natural to go for a higher salary level. If you are not already entertained by higher incomes, you should immediately show your new employer that you have significant value as a new employee. Also in the case of promotions, relocation or in association with new projects, it is only reasonable to request an extra salary increment. Then you should in the first instance apply to your immediate manager. Usually in connection with the annual employee interview, but if the changes occur otherwise in the working year, you should bring it up there and then. However, your requirements must be rooted in reality.

Once you have decided to go for a higher salary, new challenges arise:

• How tough should one be in form and self-satisfied? After all, you must continue to work with the employer …
• How much you feel superior about yourself, and how much should you compare yourself to other employees? It is important that your work effort does not return like a backfire.
• Should one include others in the negotiations? An assistant should in any case be chosen with care.

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Be aware of your market value

Consumer economist Elin Reitan at Nordea has some proper answers on what to focus on in wage negotiations.

– I recommend that you put a cover on your emotions and rather focus on the matter when entering into wage negotiations. This will probably increase the chances that you will present your arguments in a good way, and at the same time you should not be too modest:

– Also people can be better at highlighting their results and claim more about themselves in wage negotiations. in common, this can be perceived as unpleasant. However, it is not sure that your manager is aware of all the tasks you perform or have brought with you your success credentials. You must therefore bring these to light yourself. 

Arguments for salary increase : 

• Hard and extraordinary work gives results.
• Higher wages can, in turn, stimulate increased efforts.
• Greater responsibilities should be rewarded.
• If the company’s results are good, you should get a share of the progress.
• If you earn below average in your industry, it should be adjusted upwards.

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Make a summary

Documenting why you should be entitled to a higher salary is essential. Examine-in advance your market value in relation to the wage level you think is realistic – feel free to contact relevant interest groups and unions to get access to wage statistics.

Also, decide how much you want to earn. The amount must be assessed both on the basis of what you feel the job you are doing is worth, the level in the industry you operate in, and what are the general salary level in the company and your department.

Be positive and Strong

In general, it pays to be positive when entering into negotiations. Be Strong and bring a good mood.

– Using problems in the private economy as an argument for higher wages is something I do not want to recommend. Also avoid threatening to resign, as this is both unprofessional and inappropriate – if you do not mean it. It can also be difficult to use other colleagues’ recent salary increases as an argument for your own salary increase if you have not deserved it. You can rather compare yourself with colleagues with the same work tasks, job level and seniority, as this can be a guide for your own salary level. What is also often good arguments for a salary increase is whether you have been given more responsibility, changed work tasks or have completed relevant further education.

Here are Some tips in the wage negotiations : 

• Prepare well
• Make an assessment of your own work performance. Highlight your good results, and feel free to focus on one or two strong arguments in the negotiations
• Check the wage statistics and use this in the negotiations
• Think carefully about what kind of salary you want, and concretize this as much as possible
• Work with your argument in advance and play with different scenarios so that you have the argument in order if you should meet resistance – something you often do
• Focus on what you want to increase. After you have presented your arguments for why you can ask the boss what he/she can give.
• Listen and ask questions along the way
• Do not justify a salary increase with the fact that you have problems with personal finances or generally need money

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Other benefits instead of money

If the negotiations put away completely, and it turns out that it is impossible to get a yes from the boss to the salary increment claim, you can ask for other benefits instead. Benefits such as a company car, free training card, etc can be much more valuable and much easier for management to say yes to. Many of the benefits are tax-free, and the company avoids employer contributions.

Find out what benefits the company already offers all employees, and then set up which ones you want to ask for. If there are benefits only someone in the company has access to, it may be relevant for you to request these during the negotiations.

If there are benefits the company does not have, but which would have been of great value to you, you can request this in the wage negotiations.

Here are examples of Benifits: 

• Company car
• Company cabins (often a common good)
• Kindergarten place
• Sponsored broadband / internet
• Free subscription to newspapers and magazines
• Broadcasting fee NRK
• Home PC
• Training fee studio 
• Insurance schemes
• Home help/cleaning help

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