Mastering Salary Negotiations: Get What You're Worth

Salary is more than just the number on your paycheck—it’s about value, security, and recognition. Your compensation package includes your base salary and bonuses, health plans, retirement contributions, vacation, and other perks. To get the most out of it, consider the whole package and prioritize what matters most to you.

At ZurickDavis, we frequently discuss and negotiate compensation packages with candidates. 

Top 5 + 1 things to consider when negotiating your salary:

1. Know Your Market Value

Research salaries for similar roles using tools like PayScale, Salary.com, or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Be prepared to explain your expectations logically and with data to strengthen your position during negotiations.

2. Look Beyond the Salary

Don’t just focus on the dollar amount. Consider the role in terms of what you will learn, your career trajectory, the skills you will develop, or the contacts you will make. Of course consider other benefits like flexible hours, retirement contributions, virtual vs in-person, etc. Sometimes, these factors are more important than salary. 

3. Time Your Negotiations

Avoid negotiating salary early in the process. Use initial conversations to understand the range and determine if the role aligns with your goals. Once you’ve made it to the offer stage, that’s the time to have open and transparent discussions about your needs.

4.  Be Clear on Your Priorities

Before negotiating, list your “Must-Haves,” “Nice-to-Haves,” and “Can-Live-Withouts.” Be upfront about what’s most important to you, and ensure everything is on the table from the start. Once an agreement is reached, avoid adding last-minute requests—it’s unprofessional and can hurt your reputation.

5.  Prepare and Practice

Practice answering questions about your salary expectations confidently and clearly. Remember, recruiters and prospective employers aren’t allowed to ask about your current salary. If the topic comes up indirectly, you can respond with something like:

“This range is below my current compensation.” Or: “Considering my current package, which includes four weeks of vacation, I’d be looking for something around $175,000 because I bring X, Y, and Z to the table”

If you’re hit with an unexpected question, stay calm. Ask for clarification, and focus on addressing the conversation with a problem-solving mindset.

6. Be Professional and Honest

Throughout the process, stay transparent and professional. If you lose interest in the role, let the employer know promptly. Negotiations are about building trust and finding mutual agreement—not playing games.

Negotiation isn’t just about getting what you want—it’s about crafting a win-win deal. When your priorities are met, and the offer feels right, seize it with confidence. Approach the process with integrity and professionalism, and you’ll leave a strong, lasting impression, regardless of the outcome.

Want to learn more about ZurickDavis? Contact us at hello@zurickdavis.com