Simon Treadgold served in the Army for 20 years and is now Head of Recruiting at Capstar, which provides secure travel and lifestyle management services to corporate and private clients, and is run by former Army officers.
When negotiating a salary you must manage your expectations. If you successfully apply for a job with a set salary, then you already tacitly accepted the fixed amount, which makes negotiating for a higher salary difficult. However, if the role was advertised with a salary bandwidth, then obviously you want to earn towards the higher end of that bracket. If you applied for the job via a recruiter, they will negotiate on your behalf, but you need to discuss with them what is an acceptable outcome.
Before negotiating with the employer, either directly or through a recruitment agency, research the industry salary brackets for your role. The salary can vary depending on the management level, sector and location. This knowledge will frame your negotiations and help you to recognise what is a realistic salary.
In addition, take into account all aspects of the salary. Lots of people get fixated on the basic salary, but also look at the other benefits offered, including health insurance, life insurance, gym membership, travel allowance, discounts, and bonuses.
You should also think in terms of a career and not a job. Don’t fixate on short-term earnings, and instead look at the long-term trajectory. A job with good career progression may lead to greater earning potential over the next 10 years.
