Negotiate your trainee salary
Use these 9 steps to learn how to negotiate your trainee salary offer.
Negotiating your salary can feel daunting, but it’s a crucial skill that can have a big impact on your career and financial well-being. The good news? With preparation and the right mindset, you can approach the conversation with confidence and increase your chances of success.
9 steps to negotiate your trainee salary
1. Know What You Want
Before negotiating, get clear on your goals. As a trainee it’s likely you’ll need someone to sign off on your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Other considerations may include:
- Higher salary
- Remote work flexibility
- Exposure to different practice areas
- Supportive work environment
- Reputation and quality of employer
- Support in the SQE/ QWE process
The clearer your priorities, the better you can communicate your expectations. Understanding your motivations, whether it’s financial growth, career advancement, or personal alignment allows you to focus on the right elements of the offer and avoid settling for something that doesn’t truly serve you.
2. Clarify Your Alternatives (BATNA)
BATNA stands for “Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement.” This is your plan B if the offer doesn’t work out. Whether it’s staying at your current job, accepting another offer, freelancing, or taking a break, knowing your BATNA helps you assess how much negotiating power you have. A strong BATNA gives you leverage; a weak one means you need to negotiate more carefully. Still, even with fewer options, projecting confidence is key. Never let desperation lead the conversation and never lie.
3. Determine Your Walk-Away Point
Establish your minimum acceptable offer before negotiations begin. This includes not just salary, but also benefits, work-life balance, team dynamics, and growth opportunities. Knowing your “walk-away” point protects you from accepting an offer that could lead to dissatisfaction later. It also gives you clarity when evaluating counteroffers.
4. Build Leverage Early
Start cultivating leverage long before the offer stage. Build your legal brand through writing, speaking, engaging with legal communities, and showcasing leadership skills. Highlight achievements, side projects, and success stories. Recruiters are more likely to value and advocate for you if you’ve built credibility and visibility. Establishing yourself as a serious candidate from the start makes your ask later more persuasive.
5. Understand the Company
This is probably the hardest to do. Don’t go into negotiations blind. Do some research on the company (and it’s client base). Factor in the company’s size and location. Reach out to other solicitors or communities to get real world insights, and gather multiple data points to strengthen your case. Dig into the company’s funding, culture, business model, compensation philosophy, and position in the market (Hint: Commercial Awareness). Ask interesting questions, show you are interested in learning more.
6. Define A success plan
Before signing the offer, align with your hiring manager understand the expectations and the type of work you’ll likely be doing. Create a 30/60/90-day success plan. This shows initiative and creates a framework for performance-based discussions later.
7. Maintain Relationships
Whether negotiations succeed or not, professionalism is vital. Don’t burn bridges, maintain good rapport with everyone you interact with. If you decline an offer, do so respectfully. If you accept, thank those involved and express enthusiasm. The legal world is a small world, and you may cross paths again. A respectful approach preserves your reputation and leaves doors open for future roles.
8. Nail the Start Date and Logistics
Once you’ve finalized your offer, confirm your start date and onboarding details. This ensures a smooth transition and demonstrates that you’re detail-oriented. If you’re transitioning from another role, plan your exit properly and allow yourself enough time to recharge or relocate, if necessary.
9. Practice mock negotiations
Rehearse with a friend or mentor to build confidence.
In closing
As a trainee solicitor you’ll likely need to balance the ability to your pay bills, study for the SQE and work towards completing QWE. When preparing for an interview or negotiation break it down into three parts:
- Before
- During, and
- After
Your negotiating power increases with becoming a solicitor and getting a few years Post Qualification Experience (PQE).
