Salary negotiation

Salary negotiation is one of the most effective financial tools of all – and most people use it too rarely.

When to negotiate?

• When changing jobs: the biggest salary jump (15–30%!)
• After the probationary period: 6 months in the job, showing first successes
• Annual appraisal: the standard occasion
• After project successes: when you have demonstrably created value
• With new responsibilities: more responsibility = more salary

The 5 rules:

1. Know your market value:

• Gehalt.de, Glassdoor, Kununu, StepStone salary report
• Ask your network (yes, talking about salary is OK!)

2. Name a specific figure:

• Not "I'd like more" but "58,000 euros"
• Odd numbers look researched (€57,500 instead of €60,000)

3. Argue with VALUE, not needs:

• NOT: "My rent has gone up"
• BUT: "I completed project X 3 weeks before the deadline and saved €50,000"

4. Negotiate the whole package:

• If more salary isn't possible: home office, training, company car, more holiday, bonus
• Benefits can be worth €5,000–10,000/year

5. Practise out loud beforehand:

• Practise phrases, rehearse counter-offers
• Nervousness is normal – preparation beats talent

The compound effect of salary:

€5,000 more salary per year × 35 working years = €175,000. Plus: a higher pension, higher parental allowance, higher unemployment benefit. The real effect: over €300,000 in lifetime income.