Of all the types of professional interactions that people have to go through as a necessary part of life, negotiations of all kinds are some of the most daunting for many people. For New Jersey residents in this situation, there’s no need to feel alone considering that the vast majority of people report at least some level of trepidation when taking this often necessary step in their career path.
Some even say that negotiations aren’t just the most intimidating conversation to have at work – but in life in general. Clearly, this is a widespread and deep-seated issue.
Fortunately, you can make it considerably easier on yourself if you simply take the time to learn a few tried-and-true negotiating techniques. These will help get the ball rolling and keep the conversation flowing smoothly until you’ve successfully negotiated your executive compensation agreement.
You don’t have to be a master negotiator to pull this off, either. Some people think negotiation skills are something you’re either born with – or not. But by learning some simple techniques and gaining proficiency at them through enough effective practice sessions, you can make it a much less painful process for everybody involved.
Still, this is a skill that a surprising number of professionals lack. Some worry about seeming greedy if they ask for too much, but that’s how people end up receiving subpar compensation.
Simple yet effective negotiation tricks
It’s key to negotiate using reasonable points that are supported by confirmable facts that you can point to. You should also be clear with what you want.
Whenever possible, try to keep HR out of the picture. You won’t always be able to do this, but if it’s an option to work directly with your boss, it’s much easier to discuss things practically.
It’s also important to decide what your bottom line is. Setting an absolute minimum before walking into the conversation helps you to hold strong, and you may then see where there are other opportunities for compromise.
In general, an employer fussing over innocuous details in the negotiation is a cause for concern. This may be an indicator of what life will be like working for this company, so you might see the negotiation process as an audition for your potential employer.
Negotiations are rarely easy, but you can make them much less stressful by learning a few basic skills. This is the secret to how many professionals talked their way into some much-appreciated extra cushion for their compensation package.