Negotiating Tips and Tactics for a Better Salary

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1. Know the Average Starting Salary for the Position

Whether you're applying for a new job or preparing for a salary negotiation in your current position, it's important to know what the median salary is for your field. Be sure to differentiate between factors like the average starting salary for college graduates versus those with experience.

“Do your research,” said Laura MacLeod, LMSW, of the From The Inside Out Project, a program that fosters interpersonal skills. “That means finding others doing the same job and finding out what they make. Is their education, expertise, and years of experience similar to yours? You'll need this information to negotiate using facts.”

You can go a step further, according to Carla Dearing, CEO of SUM180, a financial planning website. “One of the best things you can do to gather information is to interview as much as possible, even for jobs you don’t want," she said.

"Use informational interviews to gather targeted salary information," said Dearing. "Take the opportunity to learn as much as you can during these interviews. Use all the feedback you get to form a clearer picture of the industry and positions similar to yours. You’ll be knowledgeable, relaxed and armed with real information,” said Dearing.

Find Out: The Average American’s Salary in Every U.S. State

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