“If you don’t ask a question, the answer is always…”

Nolan Church, a former Google recruiter and current CEO of salary data company FairComp, often advises job seekers to ask questions during salary negotiations.

The key, Church said, is “if you don’t ask.” CNBC Make It“The answer is always no.” But he had a few points that candidates should keep in mind before asking for a higher salary than the first offer.

It’s important to understand how companies come up with offers in the first place. Church said there are two factors involved in the calculation.

Many companies “typically spend tens of thousands of dollars annually on compensation data” from data providers that provide real-time, up-to-date figures on industry pay. “That’s how they create bands,” he added, “creating pay ranges for certain positions.” And, “When it comes time for companies to make offers, they typically start negotiating offers from the bottom.”

The second guiding principle for companies when building offer packages is their compensation philosophy. This includes where you fall on the salary range – are you paying more, the same, or less than most companies?

Understand which salary range you fall into
After the interview process, Church recommends job seekers ask potential employers, “How does this level correspond to the internal band?” the church said.

When companies finalize salary ranges, they often have “levels 1 to 10,” which may be reflected in the job title, but it’s not always clear. A former Google recruiter gave the example of software engineer positions, which can be filled by both newcomers and people with decades of experience.

“Knowing what level you are at will indicate the level of seniority the company thinks you have, and therefore the type of salary the company thinks you are entitled to.” ,” Church said. CNBC Make IT.

How to request a higher salary package
Church says that after a recruiter has answered all your questions, they should take their time when considering asking for more salary and say, “I’m really excited about this offer. Please allow a few days for processing.” “I’ll get back to you.” Then start your research, he said.

A former Google recruiter also suggested looking for sites that provide data on salaries and levels, and reaching out to industry contacts who can learn more about the appropriate salary for the position.

Finally, when you return to your potential employer, Church recommends saying, “I know what you said about the idea of ​​compensation.” “I’m really excited. I want to join, and if you can guess this number…I’ll sign it today.”

They might get back to you and say yes, they might come back to you and offer a little cheaper, and they might come back to you and say no completely. But Church added that if you don’t ask, you’re missing out on the chance to earn a higher salary.