Salary level - a topic that often frightens jobseekers - is nevertheless a key point to discuss during the job interview process with the company. Remember, it is quite legitimate to ask for a salary that reflects your skills. If you are thinking about working in Luxembourg, it is particularly important to negotiate your salary due to the high cost of living, whether you are a resident or a cross-border worker.
Why should you negotiate your salary in a job interview?
First, it’s essential to find out about the laws and working conditions applicable in the country. You should also be aware that some companies have pay scales based on several criteria, such as your education level or your experience. This does not mean that salary negotiations are impossible, you just need to know how to go about them.
But why is it so important to negotiate your salary before you are hired?
The reason is quite simple. It can be complicated to negotiate a pay rise during the contract period. You cannot expect to double your salary at the end of the trial period. So the better you negotiate your salary before signing, the more likely you are to meet your salary expectations quickly!
This article aims to help you get as prepared as possible for a future negotiation. But be aware that in some cases, negotiations may not be necessary - especially if the company has made an honest proposal in line with the market and your experience. If not, the tips below may be useful!
1. Do your research
The first step is to find out information on average salaries depending on your position, your experience and the country you work in (or the country you want to work in). This is all the more important in Luxembourg, since the salaries here often differ from other countries. Specialized websites such as Glassdoor can be useful. Every 2 years, the recruitment agency Hays publishes a salary survey in Luxembourg. These studies will help you to estimate the level of salary you can expect for the position you are applying for.
2. Highlight your skills and experience
In job interviews, don’t forget to promote yourself. You have one or more diplomas, skills and expertise, and one or more experiences that make you the ideal person for the job: these are your added values on the market. You can also talk about your achievements and what you can bring to the company. Also, remember that Luxembourg is a multilingual country, and mastering several languages can be a major advantage when negotiating your salary. So, if you have language skills, make sure you highlight them.
3. Communicate efficiently
Now you know how to build your argument, but you still need to know how to express it. Stay calm and professional throughout the job interview. Be clear and accurate about your salary expectations and how you justify them. Your potential future employer does not know what your expectations are, so do not hesitate to explain these to them.
4. Be positive and confident
It is important to show that you are excited about joining the company and that you are willing to work hard to achieve your goals. Avoid being negative when discussing your future missions with the company, and do not forget to promote yourself. Be convinced of your own value so that you can convince the company in return.
5. Remain realistic and open-minded
As mentioned, coherence is a key point. Asking for an excessive salary may dissuade the company from hiring you. You should consider your research on average salaries. Of course, this does not mean you should accept the first offer you get.
Listen and understand the employer's arguments, and be prepared to compromise if necessary. If the company's offer is close to yours, you need to know how to concede. You can then negotiate an attractive package. In Luxembourg, social benefits are often generous, especially in terms of social security, paid holidays, pensions, ... This can be an interesting alternative!
6. Knowing when to negotiate
Well, now you know how to negotiate. But when is the right time to start talking about it? Ideally, it should take place when the employer decides to offer you the job, just before signing the contract. This gives you more weight in the negotiations: you are the candidate that the company has selected and wants to take on.
7. Do not rush
Take the time to consider the offer before giving an answer. If you have any doubts or are unsure of yourself, don’t hesitate to ask for some time to think about the offer. This is not a decision to be taken lightly.
You are now ready to negotiate your salary in a job interview. All these tips are useful and should be carefully adapted to your situation. Now it's up to you. 😉
Ready to negotiate? Visit our job board, Moovijob.com, to discover thousands of job offers in Luxembourg!
