At some workplaces, salary negotiations are integrated in the annual performance review, called ‘MUS’ in Danish.
In other workplaces, salary negotiations take place separately – either at a fixed time of year or when the employee takes the initiative.
The first step, therefore, is to learn about the salary negotiation process where you work.
Preparation yields the best result
When negotiating salary for an existing job, it is important that you can list in detail your work contributions since the last salary negotiation.
You should therefore consider:
- What have you done that has contributed to you, your team and/or department achieving your targets?
- In which strategic areas have you delievered results?
- What are the salary trends in your field since your last salary negotiation?
Be clear about what you want
What is important to you? Make a list of your wishes in order of priority.
In addition to more money, it is a good idea to consider other alternatives. These might be:
- extra time off
- further education and/or training
- the possibility of working from home
- new or different assignments
- new title.
Use facts
Use Djøf’s salary calculator 'Tjek din løn' (in Danish only) to see where you rank in relation to others with the same profile and position.
Justify your proposal
Salary statistics are not enough justification in themselves. You also need to give strong reasons why you deserve a higher salary. Look back on your results and the targets you have helped achieve.
And look forward and point to your superior’s/the company’s (new) priorities and strategic focus areas in relation to what you have to offer.
Is the answer no?
Don’t give up too fast, if the answer is no. Instead, find out why your superior is saying no. This will give you valuable information about what they expect from you and how you can live up to those expectations in future.
Asking why you cannot have a salary rise can also open new doors. If your superior is saying no because your employer cannot afford pay rises at the moment, this is a good time to bring up the possibility of new assignments, a new title or more flexibility and time off.
Do not view the negotiation as a waste, just because you were unable to get a salary rise. Instead, view it as the beginning of next year’s negotiations.
Use Djøf
Good luck with your salary negotiations – and remember, you are always welcome to contact Djøf at dk¤djoef¤djoef or on telephone +45 33 95 97 00 for help preparing for the negotiations.
Learn more about benchmarking your salary and salary negotiations when changing jobs.