TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Would it help to suggest handling salary negotiations just like you would
handle some other negotiable issue, say, the organisation of a manual, or
the wording of a section?
I consider salary negotiations in that light, and treat them as part of
doing business. I suspect that some management people will see you as a good
negotiator if you appear comfortable and confident in handling this type of
transaction. Rather than seeing you as a 'haggler' or 'un-team-like', it may
give them more confidence in your ability to bring a project to a successful
conclusion. It definitely reflects on your confidence in yourself.
I don't think there is any reason for being apologetic about stating what it
is that you need, or what you think you are worth. But don't take it
personally if you can't get the employer to agree - there may be a million
reasons for it, which have nothing whatsoever to do with you, your ability
to do the job or your negotiating skills.
Decide going into the negotiations whether you really want the job, and what
you will accept. Have a clear idea beforehand what isn't acceptable to you,
and stick with it. In other words, be prepared to walk if the offer is truly
not up to *your* standards. If the offer is truly miserable, would you be
happy there? I don't think so, you'd most likely keep looking and bail as
soon as something better came along, which is what others on this list have
been pointing out.
I believe that if you don't treat yourself with respect on this point, you
can't expect the employer to.
Kate Bailey
kate bailey l technical writer l cayenta canada inc.
*** Deva(tm) Tools for Dreamweaver and Deva(tm) Search ***
Build Contents, Indexes, and Search for Web Sites and Help Systems
Available now at http://www.devahelp.com or info -at- devahelp -dot- com
TECH*COMM 2001 Conference, July 15-18 in Washington, DC
The Help Technology Conference, August 21-24 in Boston, MA
Details and online registration at http://www.SolutionsEvents.com
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
