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What is your Salary expectation & how to negotiate?


Salary negotiating is hard without knowing the figures in advance. Negotiation works the best when you know about supply and demand. Negotiation strategy depends on the personal situation. Career professionals who have years of experience would have proven records to highlight past experiences and results.


Newcomers or Immigrants moving to Canada might shy away from salary negotiating due to confidence or not knowing their worth in a new market. It is important to know your worth by doing research way in advance. Confidence is the key when negotiating the salary backed by research and your past accomplishments with the data. The answer is always NO if you don't ask!


A recent study published on February 19th, 2021 by Stanford University states that women are paid less than their counterparts as early as they start a position in entry-level by $4000. It continues as women rise through the promotion ladder. This issue is more prevalent in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The shocking truth is that in some positions, women are paid almost $20000 less than their male counterparts for the same type of work that they perform.




What are the steps before salary negotiations?


  • Know the range of salary you are targeting. Check online if your expectation is realistic

  • Consider location, cost of living, titles, job description, experience, education, certificates, shift work, etc. Check the cost of living in Canada here.

  • You are responsible for knowing your worth, don't let anyone put the price tag on you

  • You need to pre-screen the employers and recruiters with clear expectations, this is why having a range helps you to weed out unwarranted job leads

  • Watch out for Imposter syndrome and low self-esteem which directly impacts the confidence to negotiate

  • Apply for the job which meets your expectation, just because you are highly qualified. The company might not pay you higher for being overqualified, especially when a job is advertised as a junior role

  • Consider benefit packages such as signing bonus, yearly STIP bonus, RSP, stocks, bonds, parking, personal leave, vacation days, cell phone monthly cost, Internet, toll transponder, mileage, gas etc.

  • Research in advance, sometimes informational interviews help to identify the perks the company offers

  • Talk to a group of people within the same industry to check on other perks, vacations, benefits, paid sick leave, relocation packages, etc.

  • What is the absolute must-have and what is nice to have?

  • Are you willing to walk away if the employer is not willing to move on with your request?