How To Crush Your Salary Negotiations Like A Pro During Job Interviews

Ask anyone what they think about salary negotiations and interviews, and the answer will probably be, “Sian lah.” And honestly, I get it.

After going through countless interviews, all you want is to land your dream job with a solid offer. But here’s the thing – you’ve come this far, so don’t sell yourself short! With the right approach, you can crush salary negotiations. Having gone through my share of negotiations, here are a few tips to help you navigate the process confidently!

Setting expectations

We all know that dreaded question which confirm will come up during interviews: “What’s your expected salary?” I know it’s tempting to just give the fixed number that’s been sitting in your head, but don’t trap yourself! You need wiggle room.

Back when I was fresh in the job market, I was stuck on a single number, and it limited my negotiating power, leading to a not-so-great offer (which I accepted, sadly).

The better move? Give a range – about 10% above and below your ideal minimum salary usually works. This allows you to negotiate higher and adjust downwards if needed. Leave some room to play lah!

Buy yourself time

Getting an offer can feel like you just won 4D, but don’t kancheong spider and say yes immediately. Slow down! There’s more to consider than just the base salary – bonuses, benefits, even stock options.

When I receive offers, I respond with enthusiasm (of course, show your excitement lah!) and ask for some time (usually 48 hours) to review it properly. It buys you time and shows the recruiter you’re serious about your decision. Plus, it helps build a better relationship with the company!

Understand what you prioritise

🎵 It’s not about the money, money, money 🎵 And guess what? That’s true during salary negotiations. You have so many other things to think about – equity, bonuses, vacation, remote work. All these can impact your overall job satisfaction.

For instance, maybe working from home is more important to you than a higher salary (especially if you don’t want to squeeze into the MRT every morning during peak hours). I’ve rejected offers with high salaries because they didn’t offer enough benefits to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Know what matters most to you and focus on that – don’t just chase the money, money, money!

Justify your requests

Who doesn’t want to squeeze as much as possible out of their prospective employer? But simply saying "I want more" won’t cut it lah. You need proper reasons to back up your requests. When I asked for a salary bump in a previous role, I came prepared with market data and a competing offer (pro tip: recruiters love numbers!). The recruiter appreciated it and went back to HR (although it might not always work!). Having concrete reasons makes your request more credible, and gives the recruiter something to fight for.

IMAGE: PEXELS

Be likable

Negotiation is like making friends – you must be nice. If people like you, they’re more likely to help you out. Being friendly, respectful, and easy to work with goes a long way in getting the recruiter on your side. But if you act atas or difficult, don’t be surprised if their enthusiasm fades.

So build rapport from the start. I make it a habit to ask “How are you?” every time I connect with a recruiter. A small gesture, but it goes a long way. Remember, the recruiter is your partner, not your enemy. You both want the same thing: for you to get hired!

Understand the company’s perspective

It’s important to be mindful of the company’s constraints. Maybe they have strict salary bands due to industry norms or a limited budget, especially if it’s a non-profit. When I was negotiating with a startup, I knew they had limited salary flexibility, but were more open to equity. So I tailored my request accordingly. You gotta read the room lah! Understanding where they can flex allows you to negotiate smarter and find solutions that work for both sides.

Show your passion

If you’ve been negotiating for a while and you’re this close to sealing the deal, show you’re serious about joining the company. For example, if I’m happy with most of the offer, I usually round it off by saying, “If this is agreeable, I’ll be thrilled to join the team!” This can motivate the recruiter or HR to push harder for you, knowing they’re just one step away from getting you on board.

Be affirmative

Once you know what you want, mai tu liao – just lay everything on the table. Don’t keep changing your requests every time you talk to the recruiter. Don’t make things hard for the poor recruiter lah. Present all your requests at once so they can settle everything with HR in one go. This shows you’re decisive, and things will move faster for everyone.

Don’t push it too far

Sometimes, the offer is already pretty good, and it’s tempting to push for more. But if the offer meets or exceeds your expectations, don’t get too greedy and move the goalposts. Companies have been known to walk away from candidates who seem too hard to work with, even if they like them. Focus on what matters – and seal the deal smoothly!

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