Prepare Yourself for Salary Negotiations
A good and thorough preparation is crucial if you want to get the most out of your salary negotiation. Get useful advice on how to approach it.
Disclaimer – English translation
This English version is provided as a service to our English-speaking members.
In the event of any discrepancies or doubt between the English translation and the original Danish text, the Danish version shall prevail.
It is always important to be well prepared when negotiating your salary, and you should be able to explain how you arrived at your proposal for a salary increase.
You should therefore always consider and investigate the following:
- What is the general salary level within your industry?
- How are your colleagues compensated?
- How is the company’s financial situation?
- What would you highlight as the reason why you should receive a salary increase?
- Be clear about what you have contributed, both in terms of results, effort, and socially.
- Compare your results and efforts with the company’s goals. What is your contribution to the positive results?
- Take an interest in the person you will be negotiating with.
- Think beyond salary, such as additional vacation days, a company car, IT equipment or other employee benefits, a home office arrangement, education and training, or new tasks and responsibilities.
- Consider obtaining input on local conditions from Finansforbundet’s consultants, your union representative, and Finansforbundet’s salary calculator.
Set an ambitious and realistic goal and remember to use Finansforbundet’s salary calculator in your preparations. The salary calculator can help you determine what salary increase you should ask for, as it provides you with an accurate picture of your salary level compared to other employees with the same profile as you.
Also prepare yourself to be persistent. A “no” is merely the beginning of a salary negotiation, so do not give up just because you receive a no. Also remember that your salary proposal should be higher than the amount you would actually be satisfied with. Furthermore, it is tactically a very good idea to be the first to make a salary proposal, so that the negotiation is based on your wishes and expectations.
