Master the Art of Salary Negotiation

Master the Art of Salary NegotiationMaster the Art of Salary NegotiationManagers, when it comes to salary negotiation, hard-to-find candidates hold increasing leverage in todays competitive hiring market. The shortage of skilled accounting and finance professionals, combined with frequent instances of candidates receiving multiple job offers, exacerbates existing recruiting difficulties and requires companies to up the ante to attract top talent.For decades, Robert Half has helped employers evaluate compensation trends and develop strategies that align with their industry and region. The latest Robert Half Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance shows a comprehensive list of salary ranges for more than 190 positions and insight into emerging hiring trends, with a Salary Calculator to adjust salaries ranges for jobs in your city.VISIT THE SALARY CENTEREven with salary ranges on the increase, Danann Smith, a vice president at Robert Half Finance Accounting, says employers can make an offer that is both attractive to top job candidates and a fit for the organization. Thats mastering the art of salary negotiation.So, where do you start? Here are five salary negotiation tips to help you woo top talent and build your ideal finance team today.1. Research the marketExamine the competitive hiring market, with an emphasis on local trends affecting hiring, Smith says. Talk to your network about what they are seeing, the salaries theyve had to offer and hiring strategies that have worked for them.Benchmarking is the first step to understanding if the salaries you offer are helping or hurting your recruiting efforts, she says. This exercise also quickly shows you where you need to make changes to your compensation strategies and defines what youll need to propose in upcoming negotiations.Also review industry reports, such as the Salary Guide and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Resources such as these provide insights into positions in dem and and key trends influencing the hiring outlook.ansicht types of tools also help you see how your compensation practices stack up against your competitors and other companies in your area.2. Know your limitsWhether youre operating on a tighter budget or have significant room to move on salaries, determine the upper limit of what you can offer during the recruitment stage. To identify this number, ask yourselfHow flexible can I be with this position and its pay level?Are there other skilled candidates available in case my top contender does not accept the offer?Is there a talent shortage for this particular specialty? If so, how severe is it?Could a stronger offer create tension if its out of line with what other members of my team earn?In addition to salary, what options do I have to bolster my offer?3. Determine the candidates expectationsProfessionals commonly want to make a move to a job that will pay them more, and many people are confident in their earning power. In bestellun g to develop an attractive compensation package, managers must understand an applicants current pay level.Be sure to have all the key information from the candidate before negotiating, Smith suggests. This includes their current total compensation - including a breakdown of the compensation components such as base, bonus and stock - and their salary expectations.Job seekers are likely researching relevant salary trends, and you must be, too. A lack of insights into current market conditions or the candidates desires is a major red flag for professionals considering joining your company.4. Consider perksMoney may be a driving factor, but it isnt the only issue people consider when choosing a job. Find out what matters most to the professionals youre recruiting - do they want flexible hours or the opportunity to work remotely, for example - and be creative with employee perks and incentives.When evaluating a job opportunity, candidates often look beyond salary and consider work-li fe balance, for instance, or career growth opportunities, expanded benefits, extra vacation time, tuition reimbursement and relocation assistance, says Smith. In many cases, meeting applicants needs in these other areas, which often include little to no cost, can be the difference in whether they join your company or not.In the competition for top candidates, offering the right benefits and perks can give your company the edge. Find out which extras are most common in the infographic, below.5. Finish strong with your salary negotiationThink of the negotiation process as relationship building. Be upfront about your salary numbers, and make a strong anfangsbuchstabe offer. See how the candidate responds. Then be prepared to justify your offer.You can find out a lot about a person in this stage of hiring. When a candidate enters into the negotiation process, it shows confidence, but is that confidence accompanied by professionalism and courtesy? Those are characteristics you want for y our team.Whether you succeed in hiring your top candidate or not, keep negotiations professional and courteous. If the person joins your firm, you will have provided a great start for him or her with your company. If your offer is declined, youve at least fostered a positive experience that could keep your business top of mind for the next time the professional contemplates a career move. Danann Smith Danann Smith is a vice president at Robert Half Finance Accounting.