Not negotiating your salaries? Let's change that

There is a wrong and right way to do this

I’ve spoken before about how I was able to negotiate a £40k salary at 23 years old for the first time. Years later, nothing has changed—I’m still successfully negotiating every salary offer.

The idea of salary negotiation used to feel uncomfortable until I realised I was leaving money on the table by not negotiating my salary offers, especially as my value in the job market grew over the years.

A big thing I also learned is that there’s a right and a wrong way to negotiate your salary.

Let’s start with things not to do when negotiating your salary:

1. Don’t Rush to Accept the First Offer

One of the biggest mistakes is jumping on the first number you’re given. Even if the initial offer seems reasonable, take a moment to assess it. Ask for time to review the offer—this gives you space to evaluate whether it aligns with your worth, experience, and the market rate.

Remember, most employers expect negotiations, and failing to negotiate means you could be missing out on more.

2. Don’t Base Your Negotiation on Personal Needs

When negotiating, focus on your value to the company, not your personal financial situation. Avoid phrases like, "I need this salary to cover my expenses" or "I have bills to pay." Instead, back up your request with your skills, achievements, and how they benefit the company. Employers are more likely to respond positively when you frame the conversation around what you bring to the table.

3. Don’t Undersell Yourself Out of Fear

It's common to feel nervous about asking for more, but don’t let fear lead you to settle for less—unfortunately, this is more common among women. Avoid downplaying your skills or apologising for negotiating. Know your worth and stand by it. Confidence is key in any negotiation, so present your case assertively, not defensively. If you don’t advocate for yourself, who will?

In the next newsletter, we’ll cover proven tips for a successful salary negotiation that has worked for me over the years.

Leave your salary negotiation questions in the comment box below (I read them all!).

Speak to you in the next one!

Kennie Bukky x

Corporate Girl, Career Coach, Content Creator, Founder @ThePivotPlace.

The Upgrade - Your weekly dose of career, personal finance, and self-growth nuggets.

(PS if you liked reading this, be sure to ‘like’ this post so I know to write more posts like this for you!)

Tech BootCamp Opportunity: If you're considering a move into Tech via high-income tech roles (non-coding) like Business Analyst, Scrum Master, or Project Delivery Manager, the next part-time cohort of @ThePivotPlace Bootcamp kicks off on September 16th, 2024. Visit the website here, and click “I’m interested” to book a free 15-minute consultation if you're interested in grabbing the final couple of spots.