Salary negotiation – can you walk away from that salary negotiation?

Salary negotiation should begin with your final salary in mind. If that salary cannot be met, you should feel comfortable walking away from the salary negotiation. To be successful in any type of salary negotiation, you must be willing to walk away. Look a little closer…

Salary negotiation can be learned. Some work with a career coach to learn how to better market their skills to organizations. This can increase your perceived value and your financial situation. You sabotage your career success and financial position by accepting a job offer that you really should walk away from. How do you know when to back out of a salary negotiation?

Look at poor Steve. His interviewer began by ridiculing items on his resume and dismissing actual experience. After his entire resume was verbally cut, Steve had to get up and walk out of the interview. Later, when he spoke to his contact for this interview, his explanation was that this was just the interviewer’s style and that Steve could have been offered the position if he had stayed. But Steve didn’t regret his move. In fact, several months later, Steve saw the interviewer’s name in the newspaper. He was the subject of an investigation for mistreatment of staff. Steve listened well to his inner workings or “intuition” during this interview.

Here are several situations that should give you a red flag when you’re in a salary negotiation:

Salary Negotiation Red Flag #1 – An employer who is inflexible and shows no respect.

They don’t respond to emails, can’t find time for a meeting, may only be available on the phone for a few minutes at any given time, or demand a quick response. They haven’t decided they LOVE YOU. Walk away.

Salary Negotiation Red Flag #2 – No matter how hard you try, they just won’t negotiate.

Often HR never gives you their best offer first unless they hear the words “This is a firm offer.” However, there are more things to negotiate than salary (at least 26 other things I discuss with my clients). No matter which option you propose, whether it’s a different start date, job duties, more vacation, vocational training, tuition reimbursement, company car or cell phone, they won’t fit the budget. This is probably a good indicator of how they will negotiate in the future on salary or these items. Walk away.

Salary Negotiation Red Flag #3 – An employer who is not on his best behavior during the interview process.

They can be dismissive of your work experience or value like they were to Steve above. They may simply be dismissive or cut off their answers before he can complete his thought. This is probably a sample of how you will be addressed as an employee. “Believe them when they show you who they are the first time.” They are showing you what they will be like as an employer. Walk away.

Salary Negotiation Red Flag #4 – Not being willing to see the situation as it really is and going ahead with unfavorable terms.

Salary negotiation shouldn’t land you in a bad spot because of fear, bills, a slow economy, or higher unemployment. Come out of your tunnel vision and look around you. Talk to your professional advisor, a trusted friend, or a counselor. Trust your inner mechanisms and your intuition. Be sure in the value you possess. If you take the job, accept the fact that this is a temporary job and not a resting place or career.

I know what you’re thinking. You couldn’t possibly walk away from any salary negotiations in this shaky economy. Unemployment has risen more than layoffs. Obviously, during a slow economy it’s easier to dismiss that strong negative reaction to negotiating for position or salary because you think jobs are scarce. Arrest! Try to see all your opportunities. Don’t be pressured into accepting a lower job with a lower salary out of fear. You continue to bring the same value to the organization in a slow economy as you would in a growing economy. There is still a market value for that value.

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