This archive report was first published on 29 November 2019.
Published on November 29, 2019, by Simon Mburu, a seasoned journalist with a passion for storytelling.
Nelly Movine, the Regional Chief Finance Officer at Jumia, a Pan-African e-commerce firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange, shares her biggest career regret: failing to state her worth during a job interview.
She recalls applying for a new job and deciding to remain silent during salary negotiations to avoid scaring away the employers. However, she ended up with a very low pay, which led to her resentment towards her workplace, managers, and job in general.
Her story highlights the challenges many employees face when asking for a pay raise or negotiating for perks with prospective employers. On one hand, there's a risk of losing the job if you bargain too hard and ask for a huge figure. On the other hand, staying silent may result in a very uninspiring pay slip.
So, how can one get it right? Patricia Kendi, a Nairobi-based human capital strategist for SMEs, advises that an individual's boldness and persuasion skills will break or make their case. She emphasizes that it's not the high salary quotes that turn employers off, but their inability to illustrate how that high figure matches their abilities.
According to Kendi, the salary range stated in the job advert is not fixed and can be higher or lower based on the interviewers' evaluation of a candidate's worth. She stresses that you are the only one who can define your value to your employer and must be aware that you are your own sales person.
While quoting an extremely high figure can be a way of opening up negotiations, it's essential to be careful not to seem greedy. Kendi advises that you should be aware of the current rates for the position you have been invited for and make an informed quotation.
Career coach Ashley Stahl suggests that instead of giving a range, it's better to ask for a precise figure. For example, instead of saying you'd like to be paid anything between Sh80,000 and Sh100,000, just quote Sh85,000 if you believe that it is the amount that matches your qualifications and abilities.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to tell your prospective employer that you are considering better offers from elsewhere. This will disintegrate the negotiations and cast aspersions on your ability to make commitments.
As Kendi puts it, 'Every employee or job recruit is replaceable.' She emphasizes the importance of staying humble and professional during the negotiation process.
Finally, Movine advises that you should not fly off the handle if your quote is rejected. She says that it's okay to be turned down for stating your worth, and it doesn't mean you are greedy. Perhaps the company just does not have enough resources to keep you there.
