Salary negotiation tips: how to ask for what you are worth
Most people lose money in a salary negotiation before it even starts, by naming a number they have not researched. These tips help you prepare, answer the salary question with confidence, and counter an offer without damaging the relationship.
1. Know your number before the first call
Research what comparable roles pay in that country and city, then adjust for your actual experience, skills and languages. Settle on three figures: the lowest you would accept, a realistic target, and an ambitious opening ask.
Use the free salary calculator to get a personalised low, target and high range from your CV and the job ad in under a minute.
2. Answer "What are your salary expectations?" with one figure
Give a specific number rather than a wide range. A range invites the employer to pick the bottom. A precise figure such as 62,000 sounds researched; a round 60,000 sounds like a guess.
Keep the reasoning short: mention the market rate for the role, your relevant experience, and the value you bring to this specific position.
3. Be clear about gross, net and the number of payments
Always talk in gross annual salary unless asked otherwise. In Austria, salaries are usually paid 14 times a year, while Germany typically pays 12. The same annual figure therefore means very different monthly pay, so state which basis your number uses.
4. Do not confuse the legal minimum with the market rate
In Austria, job ads must state the minimum pay under the applicable collective agreement (Kollektivvertrag), often followed by "willingness to overpay depending on qualifications". That figure is a legal floor, not a target. Germany also has sector agreements and a statutory minimum wage. Accepting the floor as your target is the most common reason internationals end up underpaid.
5. Look beyond the base salary
If the base pay is capped, negotiate other items: a signing bonus, a performance bonus, extra holiday, remote work days, a training budget, a public transport ticket, or a written salary review after the probation period.
6. Counter an offer calmly
Thank them, express interest in the role, then state your counter figure with one or two reasons. Pause and let them respond. Most employers expect a counter offer and leave room for it.
7. Factor in the industry situation
Pay depends on how a sector is funded and how it is doing. Publicly funded fields such as arts and culture in Austria may face budget cuts, while sectors with skill shortages have more room to pay. Adjust your expectations and arguments to the current climate.
8. Get the final offer in writing
Before you resign elsewhere, make sure the agreed salary, number of payments, bonus terms, start date and any review promises are in your written contract.
Frequently asked questions
Should I name a number first?
If you have done your research, naming a well-reasoned number first often anchors the conversation in your favour. Name a specific figure near the top of your realistic range rather than a wide band.
Should I quote gross or net salary?
Quote gross annual salary unless the employer explicitly asks for something else. In Austria, make clear whether your figure covers 12 or 14 payments.
Is the Austrian collective agreement minimum a fair offer?
Not necessarily. The Kollektivvertrag sets the legal floor for a role, and many job ads quote it by law. Market pay for experienced people is often well above that minimum.
What if the employer says the budget is fixed?
Ask about other parts of the package, such as a signing bonus, extra holiday, remote work, training budget, or an agreed salary review after six months.
Want to know how the estimate is built? Read how Salary Check works.
This guide is general information only, not legal, tax, or employment advice. Always check the applicable collective agreement, law, and your own situation.