Negotiating salaries is one aspect that everyone will eventually have to deal with in their professional careers. While it may be uncomfortable talking about money with your employers, it’s an important step to take when the time comes – especially in the hospitality industry.

Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro, negotiating your salary is crucial if you want to maintain your financial wellbeing and most importantly, your overall job satisfaction. It’s no secret – employees who successfully negotiate are more likely to stay in their position and grow in their career.

Not sure how to discuss what exactly you want with your employer? Here we go over a few do’s and don'ts to keep in mind when you start negotiating:

DOs:

Research the Market The very first thing you should do when negotiating a salary is do your market research. Knowing what others in the same position are making before you go into your meeting will help you determine the right number to ask for. And there are plenty of ways to research. From online tools (think Glassdoor or LinkedIn) to simply reaching out to others in the industry, it’s a smart idea to learn what’s a feasible number. Employers will undoubtedly appreciate that you have the data backing your request for a higher salary and aren’t just presenting a random number.

Highlight Your Value While many people may feel uncomfortable talking about themselves during salary negotiations, it’s a crucial part of the process. Highlighting your accomplishments and contributions to the company will help your employer see why you deserve to get a certain salary or raise. Our suggestion? Make a list with your main talking points and success stories from the past few months. Not only will this showcase why you’re an integral part of the company, it will likely help you seal the deal in the end.

Time it Right Timing is everything when it comes to negotiating. And it’s not just about your employer being in a good mood (though that does help!) – it’s about picking strategic moments that make the most sense. A few times that could work in your favor are after you’ve completed a major project, mid-year, or end-of-year performance reviews. In all of these, there’s an opportunity to recap why you deserve that salary increase.

DONT’s:

Don’t Be Aggressive While you need to make your case for all your work, make sure you don’t go too aggressive into your meeting. You can make your case in a polite manner highlighting all your achievements. And remember – it’s called a negotiation for a reason. That means your talk will likely involve a more collaborative discussion that will require you to listen to the other person.

Don’t Make Rash Decisions Depending on how it goes, you may be offered a number right then and there on the spot. While you may feel the need to give a quick answer, don’t. Don’t make any impulsive decisions. In fact, it’s best if you ask for time (at least a week) to consider any offers. You don’t want to accept something and then regret it later on.

Don’t Just Focus on a Number Unfortunately, not all employers will be able to meet your salary requests. In the event that this happens, consider other aspects of the company that can work in your favor. Perhaps you can negotiate more vacation days, or even ask for a hybrid/remote schedule if you’re not in a guest-facing role so that you can save more money working from home. Whatever it is, really think about if there are other positive features that can leave you feeling satisfied working there even without the salary that you initially wanted.

Negotiating salaries can be uncomfortable and challenging to navigate, but there is an art to it. And it’s one that you have the power to master. By following these simple tips, you’re already on the right path toward success!