Are you a software developer uneasy about negotiating a higher salary? Don’t worry! You can take six steps to make the process smoother and more successful. Timing is important, so be strategic about when you make your request. Know the salary you aim for and focus on what the company needs from you. Showcase your accomplishments and think about other possible benefits. Above all, remember that you are both adults having a professional conversation about your value to the company. Considering these tips, negotiating a salary increase should be a breeze. Good luck!
Software jobs are notorious for their high pay variation. Even developers with the same experience may have salaries that vary extensively. This could be because of the company size or type and the skilful compensation negotiations. Such negotiations are difficult for software developers as many computer science education tracks need to teach how to go over these negotiations. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a senior or junior developer. Salary negotiation skills are essential in your career. Most people tremble when approaching their seniors about a salary increment. However, if your company doesn’t offer regular wage raises, then asking is the only hope you have. Much as the process of negotiating appears unsettling and demanding, It can be an easy one as well. All you have to do is to research the current trends in your job and collect the required information.
Here are a few approaches to make the process easy and successful.
Be Strategic with timing
Timing is essential when negotiating for a salary increase. Many software developers wait to ask for an increase during the review season, but in most cases, managers have already decided who has earned a raise and doesn’t deserve one by that point. Asking for an increase earlier is a win-win for you because it either results in an immediate pay increase or puts you at the forefront of their mind when considering raising during the upcoming review period. Also, you can time when your job description or title has changed. When you get promoted to a leadership position, your job description has expanded and includes more tasks and projects. These milestones are usually accompanied by an increase. So when you get more work, you definitely have to negotiate for a salary increase.
Action tip: when you get a promotion at work, that could be the right time to negotiate a salary increase or when your company has approached the annual salary review period.
Know the new salary you want
As a developer, you should get into that interview or a salary negotiation with a solid sense of what you’re looking for beyond benefit packages. An easy way to do this is to write down the sum of expenses and multiply this by 1.5, then have a standard figure that you will consider. When negotiating for a salary increment, consider the compensations and benefits. When a company offers you a number lower than what you want, don’t instantly tell them the actual number you want them to reach. But instead, take a minute and say that is not quite what I expected. I’d be willing to accept this number [stretchGoal]. How can we get closer to that number? If you’ve already asked for a higher price, and they’re sticking to their original figure, then it might be time to walk away. Tell them you’ll need time to think about it, and they may find a way to raise it.
Action tip: Before you approach your senior or manager, make sure you have an actual figure that you want to get. If they don’t agree to raise your salary to that figure, tell them you’ll need some time to think about it.
Focus on the company’s wants, not yours
Going into an argument for a raised salary eventually comes down to what you’ve done and are willing to do for the company. Your negotiation will immediately be undermined and dismissed if your reason for an increment is that you want or deserve higher pay. Considering what you wish to moves the conversation from a logical argument and negotiation to an empathetic request for the company to meet your desire and want. You ask the company to give you an increment because you think you deserve it but not because you have worked for it. The compelling case you’ve made up to that point will be damaged as a result.
Action tip: When asking for a salary increment, focus on the company’s needs and how you can attain them. Keep the discussion centred on the value you provide to the company and how your seniors can fairly compensate for that.
Talk about the achievements you obtained for the company.
When negotiating salary increments with your boss, list a few accomplishments and achievements you have brought the company. Bring up a few things that draw attention to areas where you had an extraordinary impact. Continue to sell your value during this negotiation, but also bear in mind that this will be much easier if you comprehend your employer’s pain points. It could be their lagging sales, poor department communication or inefficient processes. Now address all these points whenever you can during the negotiation and how your job can contribute to eliminating these points. Also, discuss with the managers some of the achievements you have brought to the company. This will strongly back up your negotiation.
Action tip: During the negotiation, put forward some of the successful achievements you got from the company. But don’t get into a salary negotiation because you think you deserve an increment.
Consider the benefits that come with the increment.
When assessing a salary offer or negotiating an increase, consider the benefits of the salary. These can also include non-salary financial benefits like yearly bonuses or stock options. They can also be things that improve the quality of your life or help secure future job prospects like job promotions and more. Try as much as you can to review each of these benefits so you may decide how valuable each will be for you. For example, working-from-home benefits may be essential for some employees while delivering no value to an employee who prefers working at the office. Remember which benefits are attractive to you and try to negotiate for them. Usually, companies are more inclined to offer these benefits than direct salary improvements. Having these in mind as options to put forward increases the chance you’ll leave your boss’s office with an improvement.
Action tip: Think about the benefits of the salary, and evaluate them consciously to see what benefit will work for you. Then put them forward during the negotiation.
Be confident
Be confident when negotiating for a salary increase. Yes, it’s very intimidating, but you should have supporting evidence. This evidence could be the reasons you identified for your request and the research you did about equal salary increments. Be prepared for some pushback, and know that sometimes the answer could be no. If you are given a raise, be ready to continue working hard or even harder. You knew you should get a raise; now show your boss that you deserved it.
Action tip: Do your research, have good facts to back your negotiation and do not see the negotiation as an argument. Look straight in the eyes of your boss when discussing this negotiation. Developers are usually introverts but don’t hesitate to use your successful projects and tasks.
Bottom Line
Instead of getting into the salary increment negotiation as a junior asking for help, enter the negotiation with the attitude that you are both adults and discuss your future and worth at the company. Remind your manager that you’ve been leading up to this as you start the conversation. Moreover, express your commitment to developing your career inside the organization unless you plan to retire soon. Once trust and reliability are established, accompanied by presented achievements and goals, career level-up and wage boost should be easy and painless.
