Salary isn’t just a number—it’s about value, responsibility, and planning for the future. Approaching your salary negotiation calmly and well-prepared shows professionalism and helps you stay relaxed throughout the process.
Preparation: Facts, Not Gut Feelings
Research a realistic salary range (considering your region, industry, and role) and turn your achievements into concrete results. Creating a short “evidence sheet” with projects, key metrics, or positive feedback can be very helpful.
- 3 concrete examples: e.g. reduced error rate, resolved tickets faster, delivered a construction project on time
- Market range + desired salary + minimum salary (know this for yourself—not to mention in negotiations)
- Best time to negotiate: after measurable successes or before taking on new responsibilities
6 Phrases for the Negotiation
These phrases strike a friendly but clear tone—whether in trades, technical roles, office jobs, or IT.
- “Based on my results and market data, I believe my salary should be in the range of X to Y.”
- “I’ve been taking on additional responsibilities in … for several months now—and I’d like that to be reflected fairly in my pay.”
- “What criteria need to be met in order for us to reach X?”
- “If X isn’t possible right now, what alternatives can you offer—for example, with bonuses, vacation, or professional development?”
- “Let’s agree on a concrete adjustment now and schedule a review in three months.”
- “I’m looking forward to next steps—it’s important to me that performance and working conditions go hand in hand.”
Tip: Embrace the pause. After stating your proposal, a brief silence shows confidence—not uncertainty.