“We’d like to offer you the job.” It’s the phrase every legal support job seeker wants to hear – but it also signals the beginning, not the end, of salary negotiations. When you prepare for salary negotiations, you arm yourself with the information you need to ensure that your compensation is competitive and that it reflects the value you bring to the law firm or legal department.
Here are four tips for preparing for salary negotiations in a legal support setting:
Do your research.
The Internet has made it simpler than ever to discover what professionals in your field, at similarly sized employers, and with your level of experience are making in terms of salary and benefits. Start by gathering as much information as you can about the salary range you should expect. This way, you’ll know whether any offer made by the employer falls within the reasonable range and how much negotiating leeway you have before you become too expensive – or accidentally lowball yourself.
Know your own ranges.
What, in the context of the job and the industry, is your ideal maximum salary? What’s less than your ideal, but would still make you feel you’d gotten a fair offer? At what number will you walk away from the table? Once you know what to expect from the industry as a whole, it’s wise to set your maximum and minimum numbers for negotiation.
Also, consider where non-salary benefits fit into the picture for you. For instance, perhaps you’d be willing to take a slightly lower salary in exchange for a fantastic retirement plan, or maybe you’re willing to negotiate for flex-time or telecommuting options instead of a bump in pay. Give yourself plenty of options.
Be prepared to answer, “What’s in it for us?”
When figuring out what salary you’d like, you’re probably thinking about things like your household expenses, your bills, and your retirement goals. When you negotiate, however, the firm or department will want you to answer one question: “What’s in it for us?” Why should the employer pay you more?
Prepare for this question by returning to the job description. Match its terms with the specific value you bring to the organization. If you can make a compelling case for the value you bring through the door, you’ll also make a compelling case for greater compensation.
You don’t have to go at it alone.
Your recruiter is here to help you find not only the perfect position, but also to ensure that you receive a fair market salary. Recruiters have in-depth knowledge of the market, including salary ranges and company/firm expectations. They will conduct initial salary negotiations on your behalf and will be able to negotiate the best salary for you without you ever having to risk the good will in an offer of employment.
At Kent Legal, our experienced legal support staffing partners can help you find a great legal support position and negotiate for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.