I’m Dr. Hassan, a Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own profitable practices so they can achieve financial independence and live without limits.
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In life, everything is negotiable. And starting salaries in a new position is no exception. As a knowledgeable professional, you have experience in understanding your values, skills, and that our employers should be charged a premium for utilizing your services.
Give yourself your worth by negotiating your starting salary within a new organization. Not only will it put you on a better financial footing, but it will also make you seem like an ambitious entrepreneur. Follow the steps below in order to confidently and successfully negotiate a higher starting salary:
1. Mum is the word. If you’re too forthcoming about your salary requirements, you may come off as desperate. Desperation is something that turns off an employer big time. Furthermore, you may lock yourself into a lower starting salary simply because you’ve given too much information about your salary requirements before the employer has even had a chance to assess your value. If your interview is truly impressive, the person interviewing you may give you their absolute highest salary offering immediately simply to ensure that you’ll take the position.
2. It’s not about you. Companies hire employees based on what the candidate has to offer the organization, not the other way around. Yet, so many candidates choose to exaggerate the fact of how they’ve always dreamt of landing that job, what the position would mean to them, and more. Excitement is good but acting too exuberant can cause the interviewer to perceive you as immature.
Rather than focusing on what a life-changing experience this is for you, make it known that you’re right for the job because you have a proven track record and that you will be beneficial to the organization in many other ways. If the interviewer can see you as an equal counterpart rather than a goodie newbie, only then will the discussion of salary requirements be pertinent. Your assertiveness in this high-pressure situation gives the interviewer a glimpse of how you will handle high-pressure situations in the workplace.
3. Don’t jump at the first offer. Unless you’ve blown the socks off the employer, it’s unlikely that the first offer you’re presented with is their absolute best. It’s possible, but not probable. If an employer says they’re ready to offer a lower amount, keep cool, calm, and collective. Even if the offer is much lower than you’re expecting, wait a few seconds to see if they adjust the offer. If not, counter with a higher figure.
There’s no need to play hardball; just be firm in your approach. If you’re offered a low number, and you know you’re worth a higher number, ask for the higher number. The worst that can happen is that you’ll be told that your lower number is their absolute maximum budget. You can still take the offer as long as it’s on the table.
4. Take the offer. If all of your negotiation tactics have failed and you need the job yesterday, take the offer. But ask the employer to analyze your performance within six months in order to possibly renegotiate a raise. With an offer like this, the employer has nothing to lose. If you are genuinely as good as you think you are, you’ll be able to slash their cost, improve patient satisfaction, and they will be able to afford to offer you a raise.
Negotiation is all about the legwork. Do your research about the organization, their current salary offerings, and the average salary in your locality. If this is your first time negotiating a starting salary, it could be a daunting task, but you have nothing to lose. If the job is being offered to you anyways, why not try to make it as profitable as possible?
Are you looking to ace your next job interview along with negotiating your desired salary? Check out our blog here on how you can do that just by listening better.
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I am Dr. Hassan, Board-Certified Physiatrist and Independent Practice Owner. I help physiatrists start and grow their own independent practice so that they can achieve financial independence and live without limits. Please go to businessofrehab.com/contractnegotiations to pick up the free guide to help you negotiate the contract after you kill it during your interview.
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Attention, Physiatrists! Stop leaving money on the table. Sign up for the free video series: How To Build A Profitable Practice in 90 Days or Less: http://www.sixtytosuccess.com
