A woman checking her bills with a calculator beside her.

Negotiate your salary successfully with our tips & tricks

A successful salary negotiation does not begin in the conversation itself, but with thorough preparation. With a realistic self‑assessment, convincing arguments, and the right strategy, you lay the foundation for a salary that suits you.

Good preparation for a salary negotiation is not only useful,
but essential

The better you understand your own position, the more confident you will appear in the conversation. This includes your responsibilities, your previous achievements, and a realistic view of the market‑standard salary level. The goal is not always to determine one perfect figure, but to define a well‑founded, justifiable range that gives you flexibility and conveys professionalism.

The three most important factors
that influence your salary

  • Your role and responsibilities: Which tasks you take on and how you contribute to the company’s success.
  • Labor market and demand: How sought‑after your skills are in your industry and region.
  • Company framework and benefits: Internal salary bands, development opportunities, and additional benefits.
This overview is not exhaustive, but it provides a reliable impression of the most important factors that play a role in almost every salary negotiation. In addition, other aspects may influence your annual salary, such as your hierarchical position, leadership experience, industry specifics, regional salary differences, collective or company agreements, and the size of the organization.

Strategies
for a successful salary negotiation

Clarity is key in salary negotiations. The following points have proven particularly effective:

State a transparent salary range instead of defending a fixed figure.
Respond calmly to counterarguments and allow time for careful consideration.
Include benefits if the fixed salary can only be adjusted to a limited extent.*

Remain appreciative and objective, rather than becoming defensive.

*Examples of attractive benefits:

  • Free meals or meal vouchers

  • Subsidized meals in a company canteen

  • Contribution to public transport costs (e.g. commuter pass, GA)

  • Subsidized memberships in sports programs or fitness studios

  • Option to work from home

  • Company car and free parking spaces

  • Childcare cost subsidy

  • Occupational pension scheme

Two people exchanging ideas in a meeting.

Checklist
for the day of the conversation

To approach a salary increase discussion calmly and well prepared, a short and clear checklist can help:

Do you have your salary range clearly in mind?
Have you prepared two to three examples that demonstrate your impact and competence?
Do you know which benefits are relevant to you?

Have you defined your closing question, e.g. “What are the next steps?”

Next steps
after the salary discussion

Whether the outcome is an acceptance, a counteroffer, or a rejection, it is important to proceed in a structured way.

If you receive an acceptance, have the conditions confirmed in writing. If a counteroffer is made, avoid rushed decisions and take time to compare. In the case of a rejection, it is advisable to ask for feedback and use your insights for future salary negotiations.

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Your source for further helpful tips
in the application process

Our tips reliably support you with all questions related to applications and careers. Discover practical recommendations that help you prepare in a focused and confident way. Best of all, you can access them anytime and anywhere, whether at the office, on the go, or shortly before an important appointment. This way, you have the right guidance exactly when you need it.