Jen is talking to a friend this afternoon about salary negotiation, which is one of the trickiest and anxiety-inducing things any of us surely goes through — at least in our professional lives. Jen asked if I had any input or advice for the friend, who received a low-ball offer. My advice was basically to determine a lowest acceptable salary and stick to that. Ideally, if you’re early enough in the negotiating game, you don’t have to be the first to say a number. But if a number is already out there — or if you have to name a number — then you should always name a number that is at least 10 to 20 percent higher than your lowest acceptable salary.
Turns out that my advice is pretty much in line with a proven method: The Noel Smith-Wenkle Salary Negotiation Method.
Easy in theory, but a bit more difficult in practice.
