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| Kenyan professionals in a meeting discussing career growth and salary negotiation. |
1. The following are the factors to consider in order to get a right view of the Kenyan job market:
Current Trends
The Kenyan labour market continues to be vibrant, and there are high fluctuations in the salaries range depending on the sector and position. In the recent past, technology-based careers are quickly coming up, and IT and digital marketing employees earn better wages than anybody else. Typically, traditional industries like farming or teaching can afford to pay lower wages, salaries or remunerations. Explaining these trends is very important for the job seeker so as to know what to expect in terms of salary in the market and sectors that are most likely to demand his/her skills.
Industry-Specific Insights
It is important to appreciate that there exists industry standards with regards to salaries across various industries in Kenya. For instance, a company in the finance and technology sector will pay its employees more than a company in the hospitality and retail business. In that case, a data analyst in Nairobi would be paid much higher than a hotel manager in Mombasa. When you do your research on specific industries, you can be able to target roles you believe should attract a certain wage or salary and then use this in your negotiations.
Cost of Living Considerations
Consumer prices of goods and services especially in Kenyan cities but especially Nairobi have been on the rise. Housing, transport and other necessities such as food take a great percentage of your income. Hence, if you are involved in the bargaining process of your pay, you might want to factor the cost of living in a given region. Since employers in urban areas are likely to appreciate these living costs, they may be willing to increase the employee’s remuneration as they perceive competition from other employers in such areas.
2. Preparing for Salary Negotiation
Research Salary Benchmarks
As with any negotiation tactic, the best study is in your favor before you come into a conversation. Turn to sites such as Glassdoor, Pay Scale, or job sites in Kenya to get information about median pay for similar positions. Such numbers can become a starting point for negotiation with the advertising company when comparing with your current offer.
Know Your Worth
This means that you need to evaluate yourself in terms of skills, experience and training and see how they compare in the market. The industry can also be analysed from the buyer power business organization's perspective as follows: If an industry has certain skills or certification that are rare, bargaining power is higher. For example, a person who has registered nurse and has specialized in critical care, he or she will earn more than a general practice nurse.
Gathering Supporting Data
This is especially the case when you are negotiating, to have as much data as you can and let the other side see that you have plenty of it. Most of it should be copies of performance appraisal forms showing an average of the salary of such a person, achievements of the candidate in an individual capacity as well as specialization in some skills within a given industry. While proving you’ve studied it works to your advantage, it also displays that you have gone through all the process and are quite professional.
Timing Your Negotiation
Risk taking When it come to bargaining for salary, it has to be done at the right time. The most appropriate moment at which employee can bargain is, on the one hand, after receiving the employment offer, but on the other hand, still before their acceptance of that offer. If you are in a work already, do not forget to talk about your salaries during your review time or after you have been tasked to do new additional tasks.
3. How to Bargain for the Best Salary
Contents On the off chance that you are looking for a few different ways on how to begin with a strong case and why it is essential to do as such, then this content is for you.
Present your case confidently. Start with your research results and all the experiences which make you qualified for this job and contribute to your deserving more than a salary. This is where you define your demands but at the same time make sure to stress on the flexibility angle.
Be Ready to Negotiate
Thus negotiation can be defined as a give and take process. Be ready to negotiate the offer when the offered salary is not close to that which was expected. For example, if your research indicates employment offers a median of average salary of Ksh 100,000 though your position to be paid Ksh 80,000, do not be shy to negotiate for salary closer to the market research.
Focus on Total Compensation
Look at the total remunerations offered, not just the wages or salary that one is to be paid. The allocation of automobile, medical care, pension, and profit-sharing schemes as well as paid holidays are among the incentives that can add to your remuneration package. For instance, the organization may offer slightly less pay than expected if the employee has a good commission or advances or if he or she can have extra paid vacations.
Practice Your Pitch
Preparation of negotiation speech increases your level of confidence. This will involve some rehearsing, preferably with a friend or a mentor in order to review the strategy to be used and to be in a position to know how to counter any argument that the employer is likely to give. In essence, while implementing the strategy, the more you practice the more you become familiar with the situation that you will be in, while negotiating.
Cultural Considerations
It is therefore important to have cultural consciousness in Kenya. It is essential both to be assertive at the workplace but at the same time, respect people and be professional. Do not come across as being aggressive; instead negotiate as if it’s a dialogue on how the two of you can agree to do something.
4. Management of Frequent difficulties encountered when negotiating for a Salary
Employer’s Budget Constraints
It is therefore wise when an employer uses budget constraints to approach other ways of providing compensation to workers. For instance, you might come to bargaining for a performance-based bonus or a new Salary structure after the first six months.
Dealing with Lowball Offers
It is very disappointing when you have put your best effort in a bid and then someone tries to low ball you but it is not the end of everything. Polite tone Follow up with how disappointed you are and remind your boss how valuable you are to the team supported by stats. Propose a counter strategy that should be within the range of the research done.
Negotiating with Small Businesses
Few established firms may not commit in terms of financial remuneration and research allowance while few start-ups or businesses may not afford to pay more than minimum wages but they might accommodate more flexible working hours or stock options. Never close your mind to the other forms of remuneration that might be flexible working hours, better child care facility or higher pay later on.
Understanding Non-Monetary Benefits
Sources of motivation apart from financial are a good example of professional development, flexible working hours, and working from home. If the financial offer is not to your liking, then it should be a possibility to inquire for these other considerations.
5. Legal Aspects of Salary Negotiation in Kenya.
Employment Laws
Kenyan employment laws make provision on the standards of remuneration which is fair remuneration. Get aquatinted with Employment Act which contains provisions with regards to wages and remuneration. Knowledge in these laws could just provide you with the leverage when in the process of bargaining.
Equal Pay Considerations
Gender pay gap is an important matter. If you think that you are paid less than your colleagues, do not hesitate to inquire about the company’s policy on equal pay and how they guarantee that people are paid fairly.
Contract Clauses
For the reasons mentioned above, it is always important to go through the employment contract properly. There should be clauses that will contain your remunerations, allowances and other terminal benefits, and the provisions of the contract as to when, how and under what circumstances you are to receive increment in your stated remunerations and allowances. To avoid confusion, detail all the agreements made during negotiations in writing avoiding romantic language.
6. After the Negotiation
Reviewing the Offer
As much as you would wish to accept the job offer as soon as possible, you need to take time and go through the letter again before accepting it. Make sure it fulfills your financial requirements and will help provide the right career path for you. If you have any confusion you should not fail to seek further clarification.
Formalizing the Agreement
As soon as you decide to go with the stated conditions, ask for a written offer that proclaims your wages and remunerations. Anything that is put into writing is a good practice because it safeguards one and is an insurance against every misunderstanding that may arise in the latter stages.
In case you are planning on how to build a case for future raises, there are several approaches that you can take.
Allow for future negotiations to be set by creating records of your performance in the company. Document your accomplishments and be ready to narrate them time you are in a position to demand for a raise.