Back to Blog

Malaysia Salary Guide: 3 Ways To Negotiate With Your New Company

October 10, 2023  ·  Blog Post
Malaysia Salary Guide: 3 Ways To Negotiate With Your New Company

Salary is always essential. Learn how to negotiate a salary with your new company and gain the skills to effortlessly secure your best offer!

"Malaysia Salary Guide: 3 Ways To Negotiate With Your New Company" is an article that will reasonates with you that being in the corporate world can be a nerve-wracking event for some. However, there are also some people who have been familiar enough with the surroundings that they will take an opportunity to expand more of their career growth. What these types of people have in common is nothing other than – the salary. Salary acts as an important motivation for those who are looking forward to working the next day. The promise of being paid is enough to act as a driving force for workers.

Essentially, the average salary in Malaysia is RM6,950 per month and is significantly lower than the neighbouring countries such as Singapore. However, it does not mean that are not allowed to venture beyond your current salary especially when your background in the industry can prove your worth. In this article of Malaysia salary guides, there are 3 ways to let you master the art of negotiating your salary with the new company.

working in malaysia | colla.team

1. Having An Impressive Work Experience

One of the main keys to asking for a salary increment in the corporate world is by having prior working experience. However, it would be better if the working experience consisted of something that is impressive to their eyes.

This is because almost everyone in Malaysia who either job hops or is a fresh graduate is accompanied by various working experience. So, it is crucial to let your employers know that your value can outshine other candidates in terms of experience and background. This will simultaneously allow you to score a position with higher pay compared to your previous one.

For example, you have previously worked as a software engineer with various external clients in company A for nearly 5 years. Then you are thinking of switching to company B which offers the same position with slightly higher pay. This is when you can actually sell yourself to company B by persuading them about your time in A where you have been involved in various projects of developing websites for external clients.

2. Malaysia Salary Guide: Negotiations Strategy

While the idea of asking for an increment sounds really promising, not many people know how to exactly ask for it without being turned down by employers. Moreover, considering the increase in salary in Malaysia, it also means that some employers are even willing to hire workers with basic wages. This is because some companies see it as an opportunity to cut down their cost by decreasing the amount of cash flowing out while at the same time maintaining the same profit gain. Hence, these are the strategies to ensure that you get what you are looking for:

  • Maintains professionalism

Being professional is something extremely difficult to do especially when your demands are not met. In the corporate world, professionalism plays a crucial role in each individual where it reflects their sense of separating their emotion and business. So, when you ask for a salary increment, always remember to approach this topic with a positive attitude without exemplifying yourself as demanding and insistent.

  • Always expect a different outcome

As mentioned above, not all employers are ready to meet your request for an increment especially when they barely know your skills and how much you can contribute to the company itself. Hence, it is important to note that you will always need to prepare yourself no matter how comfortable you are in your current position. Always expect something to happen so that you are able to create a backup plan that can fulfil what you want.

Not only that but what is more vital is the way you react to the outcome. Some companies may go as far as rejecting you however, in this situation, it is better for you to ask them for feedback and what things you need to amend in order to improve your chance of achieving your goal of attaining a salary raise.

average salary in malaysia | colla.team

3. How To Counteroffer The Salary

To make a compelling counteroffer, it's crucial to research industry standards and salary benchmarks for your role, thoroughly. Reliable sources such as industry reports, surveys on salaries, and professional networks can provide insights into the typical wage ranges in this country.

You can follow these steps to counteroffer the salary from your employers:

  • Justification for your request

More often than not, people always forget that there needs to be a justification for everything that they are doing. Similarly, the act of asking for a salary increment will sometimes be met with the question “why?”. From this, it is easier to be a lawyer for yourself where you must justify your action by asking for higher salaries or other benefits that come with it.

For example, you can clearly state a reason for your counteroffer. You can do it by highlighting your qualifications, relevant experience, and any unique skills or achievements that fit the adjustments you're proposing to the employers.

  • Request more time for consideration

Understandably, increment is something that everyone is dreaming of. However, it does not mean you should just take up any offer that has only a slight increase from your previous one. If you do not agree with your employer’s proposal, you can always ask for more time to consider it. Let them know that you want to ensure you make an informed decision and need a little time to review all the details.

  • Explore other forms of increment

A high salary is not the only answer equal to an increment. You need to remember there are always other forms of compensation to be explored if the employers are not able to meet your request. For example, you can negotiate with them about the possibility of having a performance-based bonus. Not only that, you may also ask for a flexible work arrangement where obviously it can benefit you a lot in the long-terms. It is important to be flexible and open to other types of solutions that can enhance your overall increment in the company.

how to counteroffer salary | colla.team

In Malaysia’s job market, mastering the art of salary negotiation with companies is vital, especially for professional workers who have been in the industry for 5-10 years and are looking to secure fair compensation and advance their careers in their respective fields.

Truly, understanding how the industry works and knowing your worth in the jo market are crucial so that you can proceeds with a negotiation that reflects your qualification and experience in the industry.

Although sometimes it may not goes as well, but you always need to remember that being open and professional enough to compromise your needs can lead to a mutually beneficial outcome for both you and the companies.

Read more to get a guide to excel the corporate world HERE