How to Negotiate Your Internal Comms Salary in Uncertain Times

You have probably experienced the undue pressure created by an unstable economic environment in the past. When companies scale back, go on a hiring freeze, or offer you less than you deserve, it’s hard not to feel like your hard work is being undervalued. However, your internal communication skills are essential to high morale, the desire to work, and an optimistic organizational culture. In these stressful and uncertain times, you can claim the compensation you deserve while promoting your value. 

This blog will help you use a structured approach and learn how to negotiate internal salary offers with potential employers, even in a challenging economic climate.

Also Read: The Power of Transparent Communication in Frontline Teams

Why Negotiate Now?

We know it is an unusual time for salary negotiation, especially during an economic downturn. Still, it is required to strike while the iron is hot. Internal communications play a critical role in the strategic process. You keep the organization running with the help of essential data, connectivity, and a positive atmosphere. Therefore, your unique message crafting, daily updates delivery, and constant assessment of the situation have never been as crucial. This implies that your excessive value for the organization should be described officially in terms of its qualitative change indicators, such as employee satisfaction and performance. 

Indeed, it is wise to suggest performance-based bonuses or extend benefits and perks instead of a requested raise. However, it is essential to correlate the suggestions with the significance of your actual role.

Also Read: Mastering Internal Communication: A Comprehensive Guide for Modern Organizations

How to Negotiate Salary

25% of applicants have not negotiated their salary. Why? Because they simply do not know how! So, catering to this problem, here are some strategies that can help you learn how to negotiate salary:

Research & Data Collection

Before the first salary negotiation, you will need data to prove your worth. Use resources such as Glassdoor, PayScale, or industry reports to prepare salary benchmarks based on your experience, location, and the size of the company you are working for. It would help if you also prepared a dossier of results and accomplishments. Compile quantifiable results, positive feedback from past leaders, and instances where your work directly impacted the organization. This is what your negotiations will be based on.

Also Read: Policies to Support Diversity and Equity in Deskless and Frontline Teams

Understanding the Landscape

Take a deep dive into your company’s financials. Find recent news articles, earnings reports, or public statements that indicate its present state. This background information will help you frame your company’s negotiation position and find where it yields room to move. On top of that, think about the general industry trends. Does your field face considerable economic turmoil, or are there areas where the market is relatively stable? Such insights will allow you to gauge if your salary negotiation is feasible.

Also Read: 5 Tips for Improving Internal Communication on a Budget – theEMPLOYEEapp

Crafting Your Negotiation Strategy

The key to success lies in developing a strategic approach tailored to your goals. Here are some tips on how to negotiate salary strategically:

Focus on Value

Salary negotiations require more than just asking for a higher number. It’s about building a strong case based on research, highlighting your value, and communicating effectively. 

It would help if you expressed that your work has generated value that can be measured. As an example, here are your accomplishments:

• Better employee engagement metrics
• Successful crisis communications
• Introducing unique and relevant internal initiatives

Moreover, demonstrate your skills and how they distinguish you from other internal communications professionals. You may be a data analysis expert, have unique subject matter expertise, or demonstrate exceptional creativity.

Be Flexible & Open to Alternatives

Recognize the company’s current financial constraints and demonstrate your openness to a collaborative approach. Although a direct pay raise is unlikely, given the company’s financial situation, you should still look for other forms of compensation during the current economic crisis. 

You could agree on a lucrative signing bonus, additional performance-based rewards, or an updated and personalized benefits package. In addition, a mid-term review can be offered as a basis to increase the salary. The main requirement is your willingness to seek possible solutions.

Practice & Confidence

Practice your key points and salary expectations and know precisely how to say them while maintaining a calm, confident tone. Avoid appearing too aggressive or weak, as this might weaken your negotiation position. Maintain eye contact, speak clearly, and respond to arguments in a professional manner.

Also Read: 10 Ways to Promote Work-Life Balance for Frontline Workers

Negotiation Tactics & Tips

Here are our top tips on how to negotiate salary offers:

• Schedule the meeting at a reasonable time: Consider arranging the meeting after you’ve performed well on an initiative or completed a prosperous project. By doing so, you make it look like you are a valuable part of the company’s successes and worthy of a pay raise.
• Start with a clear ask: For the salary negotiation, you must be prepared to tell them how much salary you want. Therefore, your demand should be apparent, backed with data, and your confidence.
• Be ready to justify your request: Ensure you provide specific reasons and achievements when justifying your request. Use the compiled data and relevant achievements to explain how this contributes value to the company.
• Listen and respond to the company’s offer: Actively listen to the company’s response and be open to collaborative problem-solving. Even if the company’s offer is not as per your demands. You may explore potential compromises, such as a phased salary increase or performance-based bonuses.

10% of applicants who applied for a job did not negotiate their salary because they were scared of the consequences. So, no matter the outcome, thank the employer for considering your request for a salary negotiation. If the offer is rejected, remember that you do not want to burn the bridges with your employer, as your cooperation and negotiation will likely be needed.

Also Read: 7 Ways to Foster a Positive Company Culture Among Frontline Teams

Closing Thoughts

Your internal communications skills have never been more critical than during this challenging period. By expertly bargaining for your value, you’re acquiring the money you deserve and proving how important you are. The information in this guide can help you successfully investigate, prepare, and implement a winning salary negotiation. 

Remember that your paycheck cannot measure your worth. Take pride in your unique abilities, keep track of the results of your efforts, and fight for the credit you’ve earned. Whatever the economy looks like, what you do to motivate, connect with others, and enhance morale is irreplaceable and worth supporting. Enter with confidence, flexibility, and belief in your value and your earnings will extend beyond monetary compensation.

Also Read: The State of Internal Communications and Strategies for 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine my target salary range for internal comms roles? 

First, you should look up industry benchmarks on websites to determine your target salary range. Then, use the data and filter it by location, company size, and number of years of experience to understand the market rate for positions comparable to yours. It would help if you also considered your area’s standard of living, your distinct talents and skills, and the importance of internal communications as a strategic approach to your enterprise. 

What if the company says they can’t afford my requested salary increase?

Remain calm and open-minded. Acknowledge the financial restrictions within which they operate, and indicate your readiness to consider other types of compensation. These should include performance-based bonuses or incentives, advantages like increased vacation days or professional development stipends, adaptability to remote work or a condensed timetable, etc. Turning negotiations to your advantage involves securing favorable terms that acknowledge both your worth and the realities of the situation. 

How should I handle salary negotiations as an internal comms contractor or freelancer?

If you’re an internal comms contractor or a freelancer, the salary negotiation will be a bit different for you. Start by examining the typical hourly or project-based rates for someone with your experience level and your work type. If you’re just starting your own business, never cut yourself short. Bad as it might be, it may reduce the worth of the internal comms function in the long term. If you get offered less than what you asked for, accept it, and renegotiate after proving yourself.