The Smart Candidate’s Guide to Salary Negotiation
December 7, 2022 - 7:00 AM
Did you know that up to 60%* of employees accept the initial salary offer without negotiating at all — even though deep down, they feel that the amount isn’t quite enough? Many people believe that negotiating salary might cost them the job, create a negative impression, or lead to unnecessary conflict. So they choose to accept the offer right away, thinking it’s easier.
But these beliefs are not true — and more importantly, they make us miss the opportunity to get the best outcome we deserve. Let’s take a look at why everyone should negotiate their salary and what techniques can help you negotiate successfully.
Why Salary Negotiation Matters
The most basic reason is that salary negotiation is completely normal. Every candidate — regardless of level — has the right to negotiate a salary. HR already expects candidates to negotiate every time they make an offer.
Whether the final increase is big or small, successfully negotiating a salary can boost your confidence as well.
More importantly, accepting a salary lower than what you deserve can negatively affect your long-term earnings. When we look at monthly income, the difference may seem small — but when calculated annually or over several years, even a slight difference becomes noticeable.
So instead of seeing negotiation as creating conflict, think of it as aligning mutual goals. You want the right job, and the company wants the right person who can contribute value. Requesting and offering a fair salary is a shared target for both sides.
Salary Negotiation Tips
1. Wait for the right timing
The best moment to negotiate your salary is when you have already become “the best candidate” in the employer’s eyes. If the employer hasn’t asked about your expected salary yet, don’t rush into it. First, demonstrate that you are perfect for the job — once you receive the offer, then start negotiating.
But if salary expectations come up early in the interview, and you're confident you know the right number, state a range (the minimum you can accept to the maximum you want).
If you’re still unsure, ask about the salary band for the role and say:
“I’d like to take some time to better understand the responsibilities of this role.”
This gives you time to research instead of asking blindly and risking a good opportunity.
2. Assess what salary you deserve
A typical salary increase when changing jobs is around 10–30% of your current pay, depending on role and market conditions — but never lie about your current salary, because employers may ask for a payslip and dishonesty harms your credibility.
You should explain how your current salary is calculated (base + fixed allowances or bonuses + provident fund, etc.) and mention your benefits to help HR estimate an appropriate offer.
Researching salary benchmarks for similar roles and industries is crucial. Trusted sources like Adecco’s Salary Guide provide minimum, maximum, and experience-based figures. If your experience is closer to the higher end, you can negotiate toward the upper range — especially if you have niche skills or expertise the employer values.
3. Evaluate your negotiation leverage
Timing matters. For example:
- If HR approaches you even though you're not actively job-seeking — you have stronger leverage.
- If you're currently unemployed — negotiation power decreases, so expectations may need adjusting.
- If you recently changed jobs (e.g., just 1 year ago), it might be harder to push for a large increase because your experience hasn’t significantly changed yet.
4. Prepare to answer and ask key questions
You will surely be asked:
“What is your expected salary?”
Always answer with a range. Keep the range narrow, and place the highest number slightly above your real target — since companies typically negotiate downward.
And once you state your expectation, avoid changing it later.
Other tough questions may include:
- “Are you interviewing with other companies?”
- “If we offer tomorrow, will you accept immediately?”
- “Is our company your first choice?”
Prepare honest but strategic responses in advance.
As a candidate, you can also ask questions to support your negotiation:
- “Is the salary negotiable?”
- “Can we discuss additional benefits?”
- “How is this amount calculated?”
These show professionalism and help you evaluate fairness.
5. Prove your value
The more you demonstrate your capabilities, the better your chance to negotiate.
- Have a strong resume
- Clearly present how your skills and experience will help the company
- Highlight unique strengths
- Perform well in assignments or test tasks
When you become clearly “the one,” HR will push internally to match your expectation.
6. Don’t rush to accept if it still doesn’t feel right
If the offer doesn’t meet your expectations and you believe you deserve more, you may counter-offer with clear reasons and express genuine interest in the role.
If negotiation doesn’t improve the offer, it may mean the salary exceeds the company’s budget or pay structure. Then you must decide whether to accept or continue your job search.
However, avoid negotiating merely to “test the waters.” That’s unprofessional and wastes everyone’s time.
In the end, if your negotiation is successful — whether the increase is small or perfectly meets your expectation — that is something to celebrate. It shows the company believes in your ability to deliver what you promised.
Your next responsibility is to live up to that commitment, prove your value, and make the company proud of their investment in you.
* Refer to a survey report from Glassdor
