Negotiating salary as an intern can be challenging, but also rewarding. You want to be fairly compensated for your work, but also show your potential as a future employee. How can you approach this delicate conversation with confidence and tact? Here are some tips to help you negotiate salary as an intern.
Before you ask for a higher salary, you need to know what you are worth. Research the average pay for interns in your field, location, and industry. Consider your skills, experience, and education, and how they align with the expectations and goals of the internship. Think of concrete examples of how you can add value to the organization and the projects you will be working on. Be realistic, but also confident in your abilities.
Knowing your value means acknowledging your experiences as valid. That paper you wrote on a subject relevant to the internship's field is relevant. There's more to your college education that's relevant to your internship prospects than just the in-progress or complete degree. Think about adding relevant courses, projects, etc. to your resume and re-evaluate your time and experience value from there!
Assess your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the company. Highlight any relevant projects, coursework, or previous internships.
Your value here is the level of experience and skills you possess, and what you are bringing to the company. Make sure that, you are bringing in the right skills for the job. You will be judged by what you bring. be genuine, and confident.
Once you have a clear idea of your value, you need to prepare your pitch. This is how you will communicate your request and justify it with evidence. Your pitch should be concise, respectful, and persuasive. Start by expressing your enthusiasm and appreciation for the internship opportunity. Then, state your desired salary range and explain why you think it is fair and reasonable. Use data, facts, and examples to support your case. Avoid making ultimatums, comparisons, or complaints.
Interns don't usually negotiate, but if one thinks they can explore, discover, and address an underlying pain point the company is currently facing or likely to face in the near future; positioning oneself as the catalyst who can really bring about a change and make a difference will make their pitch even more convincing. It's all about how you go about marketing yourself and appearing as the problem solver.
Timing and mode are important factors in salary negotiation. You don't want to bring up the topic too early or too late, or in an inappropriate way. Ideally, you should wait until you receive an offer letter or a verbal confirmation of the internship. This shows that the employer is interested in you and has some flexibility in the budget. You should also choose a mode that suits the situation and your preference. You can negotiate by email, phone, or video call, depending on the level of formality and rapport you have with the employer.
As for me, I would go for a salary increase once my performance is reviewed and I am above average. I would not recommend negotiation at the initial stage of recruitment unless the employer asks you to say. That would be the right time to negotiate and make sure you negotiate wisely because most likely they are allowing you an opportunity to showcase your experience and skills which at this point might be quite unsatisfactory, so the employer wants to make sure you know your job very well
Salary negotiation is a two-way street. You need to be flexible and respectful of the employer's perspective and constraints. Listen to their feedback and concerns, and try to find a mutually beneficial solution. If they cannot meet your salary expectations, you can ask for other forms of compensation, such as benefits, perks, or learning opportunities. You can also ask for a performance review or a salary increase after a certain period of time. Thank them for their consideration and reiterate your interest and commitment.
Avoid hard stance, Couse that might not go well with your employer. After all you are just been given a chance to showcase your skills and experience and you should not let this opportunity slip away just because you are not given what you want.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to negotiate a higher salary as an intern. This can be disappointing, but it is not the end of the world. You need to handle rejection gracefully and professionally. Do not take it personally or burn bridges. You can still accept the internship if you think it is valuable for your career development and network. You can also decline the offer if you think it is too low or unfair. Either way, express your gratitude and respect for the employer and keep in touch.
Study your emotions here, many a times your salary negotiations may not yield any fruits and will be rejected but make sure to not lose the job. The job offer should be an opportunity to develop yourself and skills for future negotiations.
Don't start negotiating until you accept the job Research the expected salary before applying Know the average Talk about Industry Trends Speak Confidently Do not refuse before being given an offer