Picture this moment: you have just finished an exhausting series of interviews, the recruiter calls with a cheerful tone, then names a salary figure. Your heart skips a beat — the number is lower than you had hoped. Two voices battle in your head. The first says, “Just accept it, do not risk them pulling out.” The second whispers, “But you deserve more.” Most people choose the first voice out of fear of being seen as greedy, presumptuous, or ruining a good impression. Yet salary negotiation done the right way actually makes you look more professional, not less. Mature companies value candidates who know their worth. This article will show you how to ask for more without losing your poise and without making the other person uncomfortable.
Why Negotiating Is Not a Sign of Greed
There is a deeply rooted myth among many Indonesian workers: that accepting an offer as-is is a form of politeness. In reality, experienced recruiters actually expect a bit of negotiation. They often deliberately offer a number at the lower end of the budget range, because they know there is room to go up. When you accept without asking, you do not look humble — you look like you do not understand your market value.
Negotiation only looks greedy when it has no basis. Asking for a 50% raise with no reason, comparing yourself to others emotionally, or threatening to walk away are all the wrong approaches. On the other hand, negotiation grounded in data, contribution, and a collaborative attitude actually strengthens your image as someone worthy of being trusted with major responsibility.
Research First, Talk Later
The biggest mistake is naming a number with no foundation. Before you sit down at the negotiation table, you must know three things: the salary range for similar positions in your industry and city, the value of the specific contribution you can offer, and the minimum number you are willing to accept.
- Gather data from several sources: annual salary reports, conversations with senior people in the same field, or professional groups. Do not rely on a single number.
- Account for the variables: big cities usually pay more, and so do multinational companies compared to early-stage startups.
- Set three personal numbers: your ideal number (what you want), your target number (what is realistic), and your floor number (the lowest you would still accept). Keep all three in your head.
For example, suppose your research shows your position ranges from Rp 8–12 million. The offer comes in at Rp 8 million. You know that with three years of experience and an extra certification, you deserve to be in the upper-middle range. So your realistic target is Rp 10–11 million. This number is not made up — it is born from data, and data makes your request sound reasonable, not greedy.
This is only part of the article. For the full discussion, with examples and step-by-step details, you can read it on the original source:
How to Negotiate Salary Without Looking Greedy
More programming tutorials and developer tools are also available at dhiecoderweb.com.
Top comments (0)