What do you do if you want to negotiate a higher salary in structural engineering?

1 Know your market value

Before you enter any salary negotiation, you need to do some research and analysis of your own market value. This means finding out the average salary range for structural engineers in your location, industry, and experience level. You can use online tools, such as Glassdoor, Payscale, or Indeed, to get some data and insights. You can also network with other structural engineers and ask them about their compensation and benefits. Knowing your market value will help you set realistic and reasonable expectations and goals for your negotiation.

2 Highlight your achievements and impact

Another key step in preparing for a salary negotiation is to highlight your achievements and impact as a structural engineer. You need to showcase how you have added value to your current or previous projects, clients, and organizations. You can use specific examples, metrics, and testimonials to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and results. You can also mention any awards, recognitions, or certifications that you have earned or are pursuing. Highlighting your achievements and impact will help you build your credibility and confidence as a negotiator.

3 Choose the right time and approach

Timing and approach are also important factors in salary negotiation. You need to choose the right time and approach to initiate the conversation with your employer or potential employer. For example, if you are negotiating a salary for a new job, you may want to wait until you have received a formal offer and have established some rapport with the hiring manager. If you are negotiating a raise for your current job, you may want to align it with your performance review cycle or a significant project completion. You also need to choose the right approach, whether it is face-to-face, phone, email, or video call, depending on the situation and your preference.

4 Be confident and flexible

Once you have prepared and initiated the salary negotiation, you need to be confident and flexible in your communication and negotiation. You need to be confident in expressing your value proposition, expectations, and goals, and avoid using weak or apologetic language. You also need to be flexible in considering your employer's or potential employer's perspective, constraints, and counteroffers, and avoid being too rigid or aggressive. You need to aim for a win-win outcome that satisfies both parties and maintains a positive relationship.

5 Follow up and document

The final step in salary negotiation is to follow up and document the agreement and the next steps. You need to follow up with your employer or potential employer after the negotiation to thank them for their time and consideration, and to confirm the details of the offer or raise. You also need to document the agreement in writing, either in an email or a contract, and keep a copy for your records. You need to follow up and document to ensure clarity, accuracy, and accountability for both parties.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?