Baseball player Yogi Berra won 10 World Series championships and 3 American League MVP awards with the New York Yankees. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history and was an 18-time All-Star. He is also credited with this line: "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is."
That gap between theory and practice is exactly where most people struggle with salary negotiation. So what can the rest of us learn from Yogi Berra about how to negotiate a higher salary? Here are four practical salary negotiation tips.
1. Be prepared: research your market value
Before negotiating, research typical salaries for your role, understand the employer's needs and prepare examples of your achievements to support your requested salary. Then decide on three things: your ideal salary, your minimum acceptable offer and the other benefits you value.
2. Know when to ask for a raise
Don't wait until you are frustrated or ready to leave before discussing pay. Raise the topic when you have strong evidence of your value, such as after a successful project or during a performance review.
3. Focus on results, not just effort
Success is about what you achieve, not just how busy you are. When negotiating your pay, highlight measurable results, such as increased sales, improved efficiency or successful projects, to demonstrate why you deserve a higher salary.
4. Never give up: don't accept the first offer too quickly
If the first offer doesn't meet your expectations, don't accept it immediately. Stay professional, explain your reasons and ask whether there is room to negotiate.
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