5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Negotiation Skills for a Future Job Interview

Today's job market is a fierce battleground. For every job opening, there are often many hungry contenders vying for the same spot. Whether you're an experienced professional looking to polish your interviewing skills or a fresh graduate in the swing of job hunting, negotiation skills can sway the outcome of your next job interview.

Here are the five steps that top negotiation skills training courses recommend to help you make a winning case for yourself.

Research

According to LegalJobs, 50% of job seekers lose out on prime job opportunities because they lack knowledge about the company they wish to join. Do your research so you don't fall into the same trap.

The Indeed Career Guide says knowing the values, culture, needs, hurdles, and wins of the company you’re gunning for is a good place to start. This can give you an idea of the kind of person they need. Then you can tailor your resume to specifically show how they’ll reap from your skills.

Other key areas to dig into include the company’s:

• Employee benefits.
• Geographical location.
• Future expansion plans.
• Career growth opportunities.
• Main competitors.
• Goal, mission, and vision.
• Financial investments.
• Corporate culture.

Most negotiation training courses suggest you make the company’s website your first port of call. In addition, many businesses are active on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Following and spending some time on these accounts can yield valuable insights. Looking at LinkedIn employee profiles can also help you spot your existing connections to the firm’s network.

Practice Active Listening

According to Life Hack, active listening is having your ears, brain, and the rest of your body present when others are speaking. By being alert you can better feel out the interviewer’s interests and needs. This can help you tailor your approach for the best outcome for both sides.

Active listening skills can also be handy in building rapport. The top negotiation training courses teach practical ways of nailing this skill. They include:

• Avoiding interruptions.
• Using non-verbal cues.
• Asking clarifying questions.
• Getting rid of distractions.
• Ignoring preconceptions.
• Seeking feedback.

Communicate Effectively

The Management Study Guide says effective communication equals effective negotiation. The top negotiation training courses offer persuasion and practical body language skills, which can be essential during interviews. With these abilities under your belt, you can clearly voice your skills and wins while tying them back to the open position.

Effective communication is much more than having a way with words. It calls for the use of facts, figures, and examples to show how your unique selling points align with the company’s needs. Even in the face of objections from the hiring manager, your success will likely rely on the care with which you speak to the issues raised.

Be Flexible and Creative

In the words of the London School of Business, reaching a deal where both sides are happy is the holy grail of negotiation. It’s also worth noting that much of that success relies on the willingness to adopt a give-and-take frame of mind.

Sometimes, the employer may only be able to meet some of your expectations. By being flexible and creative, you can explore other options that can satisfy both of you. This can level the ground so both your and the company’s interests can thrive.

Follow Up

After the interview, thank the interviewer for the opportunity. Re-echo your interest in the position and ask when you can expect to hear back from the company. If you don’t hear back by the specified date, send a polite email.

In the email, restate your gratitude for the interview opportunity. Also, express your continued interest in the position. Politely inquire about the status of your application and if there are any updates on the hiring process.

If you receive a job offer, iron out any pending issues and have the agreed terms put down in writing. This will make your post legally secured and offer a point of future reference. In case you fail to reach a deal you’re able to accept, being calm and professional can help keep the door open for future job opportunities.

Negotiation skills are essential for success in future job interviews. By following these steps, you can ace the interview process and land the job of your dreams.