Jobless After 12 Years in IT: Can I Still Negotiate a Salary Hike?

I am not an HR professional, but I request urgent and proper guidance regarding this matter. I am an experienced IT professional with close to 12 years of experience. I left my previous job without another job offer due to location constraints. Currently, I am four months out of a job and not receiving proper interview calls according to my experience level. On the positive side, I have years of experience in a niche skill, completed two relevant courses during this time, and have kept in touch with my skills. Leaving my previous job does not mean abandoning my skills.

Salary Negotiation Question

My question is: In this situation, can I negotiate for a salary hike? If so, how much percentage of a hike should I negotiate for? A reply is requested as this information will be guiding for me.

Thanks and Regards.

As you are aware, every company adheres to a salary limit depending on the area of the city or town. Generally, some employees do not accept a position until they are satisfied or comfortable with the pay offered. Since you have a gap of 4 months (not a big gap, though) and are an IT professional, my advice to you is to search for a job at the earliest.

An affirmative point is what you said—[niche skill, doing 2 relevant courses during this time, and I am very much in touch with my skill]. Every single employer (especially an IT employer) needs such a candidate.

Negotiating a Salary Hike

My question is:

1) In this situation, can I negotiate for a salary hike? If this is possible, how much percentage of a hike should I negotiate for?

Yes, you can request negotiation. LET ME BE CLEAR: {A NEGOTIATION, NOT A SALARY HIKE}.

Empathize with the employer courteously during the final discussion regarding your pay negotiation. You should express that you are giving your best but believe that the job should pay more. Ask for a day or two to study the offer and get back to the employer. You can also research the position offered by the employer during the stipulated time. Call the HR/hiring manager for an appointment and tell the person that you would like the company to increase its offer based on the information. Related terms to compensation offered along with the benefits should be clearly discussed while accepting any offer, as you are the better person to judge your skills.

Hope the above inputs might help you confer & accord the desired pay. Keep us posted on your activities for our Cite members to ascertain knowledge.

Regards.