Negotiating Your Salary

Dear New Grad PTs and PT Students,

I sat across from the owner of the company and he asked what I was expecting for a salary. The interview had gone well up until this point, but now I froze. I didn’t know what to say, I didn’t expect to discuss salary, let alone have to give a number I wanted.

I thought about it and gave a number that I thought was way higher than the typical offer. The next day I was offered the job and the salary I requested. We hadn’t negotiated or anything, I had just thrown out a number and they honored it.

I didn’t take the job, but I still wonder how much I left on the table by going first. When you are in an interview or a negotiation, you want to avoid going first. Here are ways to answer the “What kind of salary are you looking for?” question.

• I know you have a much better idea of the role and the expectations and I trust you will come up with a fair salary.
• I know that a lot more goes into the overall salary and I know you have more knowledge on what the entire package looks like.
• I know what the typical range is for this area and setting, but I’d like to hear your thoughts for this position.

Having to hold out and not offer your range first is difficult, but worth it. Practice what you are going to say beforehand, and it will feel much more comfortable during the process.  Good luck negotiating!

Break Barriers,

Jenna and The Professional Rebellion