Many people wonder why and how to negotiate, and if it’s even worth it.  If you learn anything from me about negotiating, I want you to remember this one thing – it’s ALWAYS beneficial to negotiate.

Even if you think they’ll say no.  Even if you’re nervous about it. Even if the offer is higher than what you were expecting.

The reason negotiating is so important and powerful is because it tells your employer a lot about you and sets the stage for more opportunities in the future.

When you negotiate, you show that you know what you’re worth and you believe it.  You show that you’re committed to growth and want to achieve at the highest level.

Even when your negotiations end right where you started, it’s not a failed negotiation. If you decide not to accept, you can rest assured knowing that wasn’t the right fit for you.  

If you decide to still accept the offer, nothing is lost.  But you’ve also gained something valuable, even though it may not be monetary right now.

By doing your research, and asking for more, you’ve made it clear that you’re ambitious and invested in your career, not just looking for a paycheck. Even though it may seem like the opposite.  If you negotiate with solid research and data, you’re not just looking for more cash – you’re looking for fair and reasonable compensation.  And now your employer knows you expect to be compensated for the value you add.

When you negotiate, you set yourself up perfectly to ask for a raise and/or promotion in the future.  You show that you’re not willing to settle for the lowest option.  Work hard, meet and exceed expectations, then ask for the raise or promotion being confident that you’ve already shown that you know what you’re worth.

And remember the 2 most important aspects of negotiations are research and listening.  Make sure you have data to support your requests, and also make sure you understand the other side of the table and speak to it.  Listen through the whole process to understand what the company is looking for so that you can speak clearly to how you will fulfill their needs.

It never hurts to ask, so ask.