While many people feel nervous about asking for higher pay, it is actually in your best interest to do so. Your salary directly impacts your health-related quality of life, and the process can teach you valuable negotiating skills and empower you to stand up for what you want. A counteroffer is typically enough to increase your salary and, according to research by Professor Peter Cappelli at the Wharton School of Business, people who decide to negotiate their starting salaries receive, on average, a $5,000 bump above their initial offer.
Before you walk into the negotiation room, it’s important to do your research and come up with clear numbers that you believe you should be compensated for based on your experience and qualifications. This could include researching the average salaries for your industry and location, consulting recruiters, and even using online salary calculators.
Once you have a number in mind, create and practice a script of why you deserve this amount and what specific contributions you have made at previous jobs. If you have any tangible evidence that would strengthen your case (like certifications or specialized technical skills), be sure to highlight these.
Keep in mind that if you do ask for more than you were offered, you may need to compromise on other elements of your compensation package like vacation days, work-from-home schedules and other benefits. This can help you reach your goal and avoid walking out of the conversation frustrated. Negotiating higher pay