It's well known that professionals who negotiate for higher salaries end up earning significantly more money throughout their careers than workers who simply accept the first offer. So, why don't more people negotiate? Well, for one thing, it can be awkward. Many of us have been raised not to talk about money.
Plus, we are frequently warned not to bring up salaries with potential employers. You want to give them the sense that you are passionate about the job and excited to join the team – not just after a paycheque. But of course, when you are trying to be hired for a new job, you are looking for a paycheque. That's the primary reason most of us have jobs in the first place.
So, it is all about perception and timing. You want to make the right impression on the employer, but you also do not want to earn less than you could from a new opportunity because you were reluctant to negotiate the offer. All of these subtleties can become even more complicated when you are being hired for a remote job – one where you may not even have had the chance to meet the hiring manager in person.
Don't leave money on the table. Here are three strategies you can use to give yourself an advantage when negotiating an offer for a remote job.
Research the company and the role
Candidates often don't know the salary ranges of companies that are located in another region. The cost of living in the employer's local area will impact how much they pay their staff. In the traditional working arrangement, where employees have to live within commuting distance of the worksite, wages will have to be high enough for organizations to compete for talent in that area. Therefore, the going rate for a sales analyst in Moncton might be considerably different than an offer in downtown Vancouver.
Keep this in mind when applying for remote jobs. If you live in one of the more expensive regions of the country for cost-of-living, but the role you are hired for is in a much more affordable area, the compensation rate may not suit you.
While many companies set salary rates based on the national average for the position, there is a growing trend of offering wages based on where the candidate lives. This is just one more reason to do your homework. Find out all you can about a potential new employer's compensation policies. Visit sites like Glassdoor and check your LinkedIn network to connect current and former employees.
Before you enter into negotiations, you want to know where the company's salary ranges compare to average – and how they determine their rates.
Know your worth
Doing your research into the company and the pay ranges for jobs similar to the one you are being hired for should give you an idea of the average salary range for the job. Start with that, and then think about your accomplishments, experience, and anything else that can push you to the upper edges of that range.
Companies routinely offer more compensation to attract candidates they are trying to recruit than they do in raises to retain existing staff. So, starting a new job is your best chance to boost your earnings. Think about it: since the last time you negotiated your salary, you've acquired more experience and skills and may have received some additional training. You're older, wiser, more accomplished, and experienced now, so recognize what you bring to the table and don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth. Just don't price yourself out of the market. Keep your expectations in range with what the industry is willing to pay for skills like yours.
Also, make sure that you are fairly compensated for the actual work you will be doing. The stress level, the shifts, the day-to-day activities of the job should all impact how much it pays. If you are taking on a role that requires much longer hours under a great deal more pressure than your previous job, make sure that you are offered enough of a pay boost to make it worthwhile.
Some of this information can be more challenging to find out when negotiating for a remote position. You often have fewer insights into the company culture and reputation when they are located in a region that is far from where you live.
It's important to emphasize that you need to know specific job responsibilities and other essential details before mentioning your salary expectations to the employer. Your duties in this new role could be completely different or much more difficult, making it less relevant to use your previous wages as a benchmark.
So, before you sign a contract or agree to a salary, you should ask concrete questions about job requirements. Knowing what will be expected of you can give you a better idea of what fair compensation would be for the position.
During the interview, ask questions such as:
- What will my responsibilities be?
- Can you describe a typical day in this position?
- What is the typical work schedule at the company? Am I expected to be on-call after hours and on weekends or holidays?
- How many projects will I be responsible for each week/month?
- Will I have any direct reports?
The answers to questions such as these will help you understand the scope of your responsibilities, which should make it easier to calculate your job value and set your salary range.
Think beyond salary
Remember, when you are negotiating a job offer, there are other things besides wages that can be on the table. If the employer is firm on the base salary for the role, try to negotiate some of the other benefits. The job contract can include many perks that can have a more significant impact on the quality of your working life than a few more dollars might. Some of these benefits come with little or no cost to the business. Here are five non-wage benefits you can negotiate for in your remote job:
1) A flexible schedule - A flexible schedule is one of the most important non-salary benefits. Since you won't be at the worksite Monday to Friday, nine to five, the employer is most likely paying you for the results of your work. Still, despite the fact that remote workers aren't present in the office, some employers insist that they put in the same shifts as their on-site staff.
Ask what the working hours for the position are and if it would be possible to arrange them around your schedule. What are the expectations for you to be available for meetings, phone calls, and answering emails? This can be particularly important if the company is located in a different time zone from where you live. Negotiate for the accommodations that your personal life may require, such as caring for a loved one or picking up children from school during normal working hours.
2) Vacation time - The company may only offer ten days of paid vacation per year to its new employees. Find out what the company offers in terms of time off options and see if they are willing to increase their offer. Getting a few extra vacation days to spend more time with family (or at the beach) might be worth more to you than a slightly fatter paycheque.
3) Guaranteed severance pay - There is no guarantee that the job you accept today will still exist a year from now. So many industries have been going through radical shifts over the past few years. So much so that roles are being reduced or restructured frequently. Plus, it is likely that employers will have less loyalty to remote staff, those that they do not work with in-person day-to-day. Ask the hiring manager if it's possible to include a guaranteed severance package in your contract, just in case the company folds or eliminates your position due to cutbacks.
4) A better job title – A boost in your job title is a benefit that costs the employer nothing, but it can do a great deal for your career development. The title that appears on your resume can have a major impact on your job prospects in the future. People use your job title to quickly understand how you fit into an organization, what you do, and your levels of expertise or authority. Can you change from Marketing Coordinator to Marketing Manager? From Manager to Director? Try to move up a notch.
5) Opportunities for training and development – You want to grow in your career and be able to take on more responsibility. A great way to do this is through employer-supported continuing education. Whether it's workshops, seminars, conferences, or even paying for your MBA, many organizations support their staff in continuing their education and learning new skills. Try to negotiate for training and development opportunities in your contract. It's a perk that has benefits for the employer as well as for you. It's in their interest to have a motivated staff who are up-to-date with the latest skills and abilities. Many companies set aside budgets for employee development because they see it as a direct investment in their business.
To get the highest salary possible for remote jobs, you need to do the necessary research and show up to the interview armed with as much information as you can find. To help make sure the amount you're being offered is in line with market values, you can use our salary tool to find the average wage for your job title. Then remember to negotiate for the salary you deserve and the benefits that can improve your life.
