Did you know that the average tech deck salary is $89,921 annually as of June 2018? Even with such great news, there are still challenges for tech professionals when it comes to negotiating their pay. It’s no secret that a job search involves a lot of research and preparation, but that doesn’t make the stress and pressure any less real. In fact, many tech professionals reported feeling anxious or nervous before or during interviews. The good news is that even if your previous negotiations haven’t gone so well in the past, there are plenty of ways to get the professional tech deck salary you deserve this time around. While none of these tips are ground-breaking advice, they can be difficult to follow in practice; however, armed with this information you should feel more equipped to negotiate a higher salary going forward.
Negotiating Tips
– Keep Calm – It’s easy when negotiating to become defensive, but ultimately no one cares how you feel about the process; they care about how you can help their organization. Remind yourself of this at all times during negotiations.
– Breathe – Yes, it’s that important. Controlled breathing is a proven strategy for calming down and stopping nerves from controlling the situation.
– Be Clear About What You Want – Before you even step into the room to negotiate your tech deck salary, you should have a clear idea of what you want. It’s important that you understand how your current salary compares to what other positions in the industry are offering before you go in.
– Stay Calm When Things Get Tough – Negotiating a tech deck salary is an intense process, and things may get a little stressful when talking numbers. Don’t get flustered or let emotions get the best of you.
– Relax – At The End Of The Day, It’s just a number. Even if you have a terrible negotiation and don’t get what you want, it’s all going to be fine. Remember that no one walks away with nothing and it’s all part of the game.
Know Your Worth And Set Expectations
– This is a huge part of the process, and it’s one that many people seem to struggle with. Understanding your worth is going to be different for every individual depending on a variety of factors, but that’s why it’s so important you know your worth.
– To start, you’ll want to take a look at how much tech deck salaries are for your particular region. You can research this information easily online, and there are also tools available that can help you calculate how much your salary should be.
– You should also consider the following factors when determining what your salary should be:
– Years of Experience – The more experience you have in the industry, the more valuable you are to an organization. It’s that simple.
– Education And Certification – If you have spent time getting education and certifications, this should be taken into consideration when determining your salary.
– Company And Industry – What organization are you working for? What industry does that organization operate in? These are two important factors that should be taken into consideration when you are determining your salary.
Do Your Research
– This is something that should be a part of every negotiation, but it’s also something that many tech professionals don’t put enough emphasis on.
– First, it’s important to know what your company is currently paying its employees. This can help you understand what your organization currently has available for the position you’re interviewing for.
– Next, you should know what your competitors are currently offering for similar positions in your industry. This information can help you understand what you should be making based on the going rate for tech professionals.
– And finally, you should know what the going rate is for similar positions in other industries. For example, are you currently interviewing for a marketing position? You should know what other marketing positions are making in other industries so you can properly negotiate your tech deck salary.
Rinse And Repeat
– You should make sure to take these two points into consideration as you go through the interview process.
– You should research what your colleagues are currently making before each interview just as you do with other positions in your industry. This can help you determine whether or not you need to push for more money.
– You should also do your best to research the other positions in your organization and see how your current salary compares to what other people are making. If it’s significantly lower than others in your department, you may need to push for more money.
– Once you’ve completed one interview, you should make note of how that interview went and reassess your tech deck salary expectations going forward based on your previous negotiations. Each interview is a new opportunity to negotiate a higher salary, so don’t be afraid to ask for more money if you feel it’s necessary.
Be Clear About What You Want
– This can be tricky, but it’s also very important. You have to be clear about what you want without being rude or greedy.
– You may hear a salary offer and think it’s not enough, but that doesn’t mean you need to walk away with nothing. If a potential employer offers you a salary and you think it is too low, you should be clear about what you want. You can say something like, “I’m currently making $X, and I’m looking to make $Y.”
– It’s also important not to brag or overstate your value during negotiations. No one is going to be impressed by how great you are, and it’s not going to get you any closer to earning more money.
Don’t Be Afraid To Walk Away
– We mentioned this above, but it’s worth repeating. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal if it doesn’t feel right.
– Too many tech professionals walk away from negotiations thinking they didn’t get what they wanted because they think they need to settle for less. Don’t settle.
– If you have a great interview and everything feels right, but you get offered less than you expected, don’t be afraid to walk away. It’s not worth it if the company isn’t willing to pay you what you’re worth.
– Negotiations are a two-way street, and if your organization isn’t willing to pay you what you want, then it’s up to you to walk away from the deal.
Final Thoughts
The tech deck salary negotiation process can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you follow these tips and make sure to stay calm and clear throughout the process, you should have no trouble getting the professional tech deck salary you deserve. Be sure to follow these negotiating tips, and you’ll be well on your way to earning a higher salary.
