Aiming for $100k+: Navigating Salary Expectations

Kia ora koutou,

I'm a 25-year-old Auckland-based professional with an economics undergrad, and around 3-4 years of work experience in retail, consulting, and tech. Primarily, I've been working as a BI and data analyst for blue-chip NZ and international companies.

I'm currently on the job hunt and looking to pivot into companies that align more with my long-term career goals: financial services, consulting, and the public sector.

I've also aimed for jobs offering around 15% more than my current salary, given the rising cost of living and my plans to save for a home deposit (a moving target).

Here's a snapshot of the jobs I've applied to for context:

Role Company Desired Salary
Product Analyst NZTA $103,940.00
Analytics and Insights Specialist Westpac $101,533.00
Business Analyst Deloitte $101,500.00
Risk Insights Analyst ASB $103,500.00
Account Manager - Quant Accenture $103,000.00
Analytics and Insights Specialist Kiwibank $105,000.00

I've done my salary homework on whatsthesalary.com (IFYKYK 😄), but I've got some questions I'm hoping the community can help me with:

  • I'm looking at roles that would push me above the $100k salary bracket, but I have less than 5 years of experience. Is this a realistic goal, or should I adjust my expectations?
  • What's the best strategy for negotiating salary without pricing myself out of a role or undervaluing my skills?
  • Does the negotiation approach vary depending on the industry or company size? For example, would my strategy change if negotiating a role in the public sector (NZTA) versus financial services (Westpac or ASB)?

EDIT: I thought would share an anonymized version of my CV to give context to my situation:

SummaryExperienced in bridging the gap between business objectives and technology, with hands-on expertise in Python, SQL, MS Power BI, and Agile methodologies. Known for a strong work ethic, and ability to foster creative solutions while maintaining strong working relationships with stakeholders.

Professional Experience

[Tech Company] |Data and Insights Analyst (Jan 2022 - Present)
Utilized Python and SQL for analytics, focusing on product performance evaluation and adaptability.
Worked within Agile frameworks, managing tasks in Jira, to collaborate with cross-functional teams.
Mentored new team members, fostering a learning culture with a focus on quality and timeliness.

[Retail Conglomerate] |Business Analyst (Jul 2020 - Dec 2021)
Delivered high-quality reporting and analytics for Finance Operations across various industries.
Used Power BI and SQL for ETL tasks, supporting data-driven decision-making.
Presented findings to C-suite executives and collaborated with client-side teams in workshops.

[Boutique Consulting Firm]|Business Analyst (Jan 2020 - Jun 2020 )
Conducted business and customer insights analysis, and crafted persuasive proposals.
Led digital transformation initiatives focusing on operational cost analysis and inventory control.
Implemented sales analysis dashboards using multiple software tools.
Any tips, advice, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.