How to Negotiate Salary

You've landed your RT/TR dream job! Time to get to work, right!? Well, no. You've shown the agency that you're the best candidate for the job, and now it's time to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve. I know that you're happy to be employed, and maybe this really is your dream job, and on top of that you're probably a stressful job search. That being said, remember they are hiring you to provide a service, and they hired you because you were the most qualified candidate. Before we get into salary negotiations, let's talk about why you should not only negotiate but why you should be excited to do so. 

1. According to a Pew Research study, of prospective employees who negotiated their salaries, 28% got the raise they asked for, and 38% received more than the original offer, but less than what they requested. This means 2/3 of the people who negotiated received more than the original offer! A study by Fidelity found that 85% of those who negotiated received some or all of their request! 

2. Despite the odds being in your favor, 55% of employees don't negotiate salaries. 

3. According to Career Builder employees don't negotiate salaries because they're afraid the offer will be rescinded, they don't want to seem greedy, and/or they don't feel comfortable.

4. According to Forbes, 70% of managers expect you to negotiate your salary.

Managers expect you to negotiate, and most people are still leaving money on the table. If you aren't convinced yet, know that managers rarely rescind job offers due to salary requests, and it's extremely rare when you negotiate your salary respectfully and timely. Now to the important stuff, how to actually get more money.

Before you can even think about negotiating, you need to know what you're worth. Start by researching the job market in the area you're applying. A recreational therapist in Los Angeles is going to make more money than a recreational therapist in a rural area. Compare apples to apples. Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, Linkedin, Salary.com, and Salarytransparentstreet are a good place to start. Be sure to check if your state has laws related to salary transparency, as these laws are increasing and an agency may be required by law to supply you a range upon request. Now that you have an idea of a range, decide what you want to ask for, and the least amount of money you would accept. Are you a competitive candidate? Are you bringing experience and education to the role? Do you have unique experiences, such as the development of recreational therapy programs, fundraising, or management? A good rule of thumb is to request between 10%-20% more than the initial offer. 

Once you've been offered and decided on some parameters, it's time to make a request. Assuming this correspondence is via email, begin your email showing gratitude for being offered the position and reiterate your interest in the job and company. You can then ask the hiring manager if they're open to negotiating your. This will show them that you are coming to the table as a collaborator, not an adversary. A possible response could start like this:

(Recipient), 

I am thrilled to be offered a position with (insert company name). I have great admiration for your agency and the great things you do for clients/patients. 

Would you be open to further discussing the compensation package?

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

If they say no, you are at a crossroads where you must decide if you will accept the offer as is or decline. If they say yes to negotiation, you must then make your case.

Continue to be polite and respectful, and show gratitude. You should then highlight why you are worth an increase in salary. Remember, companies agree to higher salaries because you are an asset to their team, not because of circumstances. Focus on your skills and accomplishments while avoiding personal reasons why you may need more compensation. Companies will pay you more because you started a new innovative program at your last agency, not because you have student loans or have recently had a hardship. You may also want to highlight what you can bring to their company and recreational therapy program. This will allow you to focus not only on what you have done in the past but also on what you will do in the future. 

After you secure that salary, improve your practice by reading A Practitioners Guide to Accessing A peer Reviewed Academic Journal Article!