7 Mistakes to Avoid in Salary Negotiation

If you want to negotiate your salary successfully, you need conclusive arguments – and you should avoid some fundamental mistakes in salary negotiations. You can read here what they are and how to avoid them. Here we are telling you the most common mistakes in salary negotiation in 2023.

Bring false arguments

The rent has gone up, your partner has lost their job – and everything has become more expensive anyway. This is annoying for you personally but doesn’t matter to your manager. After all, your company isn’t a charity that adjusts your salary to match your ness. Such arguments will not get you anywhere in the salary negotiation.

Better yet, try to put yourself in your employer’s shoes. The only thing that counts for the company is how well you do your job. Think of arguments in advance with which you show exactly that. This is how you reach your goal!

Be ill-prepared

Poor preparation is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to salary negotiation. Would you like more money, but don’t have any concrete examples of your achievements? Then you will find it difficult to convince your manager.

Better: Prepare comprehensible arguments that justify your desired salary. Have you taken on more personal responsibility or additional areas of responsibility? Projects successfully completed or the sales targets exceeded?

If you want to negotiate your salary for a new job in another company, the average salary in your region can also be an argument.

Also read : How do our social interactions impact our behavior?

Do not name a specific desired salary

At some point in every salary negotiation, there comes a point when your manager asks you what your desired salary is. Then don’t make the mistake of just banging around with approximate numbers or even returning the ball to your opponent. True to the motto: “How much would you give me?”

Better: Think carefully about how much salary you want. The more specific your desired salary is, the better prepared you appear. Always remember that the desired salary is the gross salary. You can find out what’s left of it with our gross-net calculator .

Gamble too high

In almost every salary negotiation, your manager will try to drive the price down. That’s why you usually set your desired salary a little higher than what you’re really aiming for. But don’t start the negotiation with a completely exaggerated proposal. Not only will you spoil your chances of getting a better salary, but you will also make a bad impression.

Better: Get into the negotiation with a higher amount than you have prepared in advance as your desired salary, but still remain realistic. During the salary negotiation, your manager also wants to find out whether you know your market value. Always remember that the desired salary is the gross salary. You can find out what’s left of it with our gross-net calculator.

Selling yourself short

Excessive demands are not the only mistake in salary talks. If you ask for a salary that is significantly too low, that also leaves a bad impression. This is especially true when it comes to a new job and you are negotiating your starting salary. Because, if your desired salary is too low, it reveals poor preparation and makes you appear insecure. Your counterpart might even think that you are simply not worth more than the requested amount – and therefore not good enough for the advertised position.

Better: Base your starting bid on the current average salary for your job. Points such as your education and work experience, but also the industry and the company location play a role. All of these can affect your salary level . The following applies in particular to applicants: In the end, your dream employer will not choose the person with the best demands, but rather the most promising one.

Blackmail your manager

A classic: “Either I’ll get X amount or I’ll look for another job.” Threats like these won’t get you anywhere in the salary negotiation. At best, you’ll only annoy your manager – at worst, you’ll have to start looking for a job faster than you’d like.

Better: Tell your manager matter-of-factly and politely that you are not satisfied with the rejection of your desired salary. Maybe you can find a compromise solution that both sides agree with. If your full desired salary is not there, you may be able to agree on additional benefits as compensation.

Choosing the wrong time

The timing of salary negotiation can make the difference between success and failure. For example, if the company is in a bad financial situation, you will probably not get far in the negotiation. You should also not attack your manager between the door and hinge with your wish. Company parties are also taboo.

Better: Look at your company’s numbers. Is your company doing well financially? Is business going? Also keep an eye on your manager: a relaxed day when the person is in a good mood is perfect for asking about a salary interview.

I hope these factors will help you to find a best way to avoid mistakes in the salary negotiation. Hope you get a good results through our post .