9 Common Salary Negotiation Mistakes to Avoid During Interviews

Are you prepared to take the right steps during a salary negotiation? Or are you a bit hesitant in your approach? Regardless of where someone is in their career, everyone is prone to making some salary negotiation mistakes subconsciously. These can cost you both money and opportunities.

This blog is a guide to understanding these negotiation mistakes and salary negotiation tips that can help you succeed. Keep reading to ace your next salary negotiation.

1. Not Doing Enough Research

Walking into salary discussions without adequate research is the most common mistake. Know the market rate for your role or you risk undervaluing yourself or asking for an unrealistic figure.

Why It May Happen:

When you rely on guessing or expect that your firm will offer a reasonable salary, you are more likely to estimate proper compensation incorrectly. Another probable reason can be a lack of understanding of industry standards and role-specific norms, which can lead to setting unrealistic expectations.

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake

• You can use platforms like Glassdoor, Payscale, or LinkedIn Salary Insights to identify the average salary for your role and similar roles in your particular industry, location, and years of experience.
• Consider factors like your experience, qualifications, and the company size when determining a reasonable range.
• Practise framing your salary expectations around data to build confidence.

Example:

Instead of saying, “I’d like to earn $60,000 (approx. AED 2,20,400),” confidently state: “Based on my research, professionals in this role typically earn between $55,000 (approx. AED 2,02,000) and $65,000 (approx. AED 2,39,000). Considering my experience, I believe this range also reflects my value.”

2. Revealing Your Salary Expectations Too Early

Discussing salary expectations too early in the hiring process can come off as you only care about money and may also limit your negotiation power.

Why It May Happen:

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake

• Politely deflect salary questions until you’ve had the opportunity to discuss the role and its responsibilities in detail.
• Reframe the question to show interest in understanding the position better before diving into compensation.

Example:

When asked, “What salary are you expecting?” reply with: “I’d love to know more about my role and responsibilities before discussing compensation.”

3. Avoiding the Conversation Altogether

You may avoid discussing salary out of fear, which is one of the most common negotiation mistakes. Don’t make this error as it can lead to long-term financial losses and career dissatisfaction.

Why It May Happen

Lack of confidence, fear of rejection, or discomfort with confrontation can stop you from negotiating, as you feel it can make you appear ungrateful or only interested in the role for money.

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake:

• Shift your mindset to see this as a normal process, like everything else.
• Prepare responses to common questions in advance.
• Approach the conversation with a collaborative tone.

Example:

Rather than avoiding the topic, say: “I am excited about this opportunity and would like to discuss how the compensation aligns with the value I bring to the role.”

4. Accepting the First Offer

Accepting the first offer without any negotiation is often leaving money on the table. Remember you can negotiate the deal.

Why It May Happen

You may feel that the first offer is the best offer and asking for more means you are being greedy and unrealistic. Another reason could be feeling that once the employer has made the offer, they will not budge.

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake

• Thank your employer for the offer but request time to evaluate it.
• Prepare a well-thought-out counteroffer based on research and your qualifications.
• Focus on the entire compensation package, including benefits, bonuses, paid time off, etc.

Example:

If offered $60,000 (approx. AED 2,20,400), then respond with: “Thank you for the offer. Based on my research and experience, I was expecting something closer to $70,000 (approx. AED 2,57,000). Is there room for negotiation?”

5. Letting Emotions Override Logic

Salary negotiations can feel very emotional as they can have a huge impact on your life. Hence, it’s even more important to control your emotions.

Why It May Happen:

You could be stressed, frustrated, or even overconfident. All these can cloud your judgment. At times you may also feel personally attacked when your request is countered or denied.

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake:

• Stay focused on facts and data rather than feelings.
• Practice calming techniques, such as deep breathing before the conversation.
• Prepare responses in advance to not lose composure.

Example:

If an employer offers a lower compensation than expected, respond calmly with something like: “I understand. Could we discuss other forms of compensation like bonuses to bridge the gap?”

6. Failing to Justify Your Request

When you are trying to negotiate for a higher salary, it is important that you are able to justify it with solid reasons.

Why It May Happen:

You may think that the reasons may be visible to the person in charge, but often this might not be the case.

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake:

• Prepare a document showing your accomplishments, skills, and contributions.
• Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the extent of impact.

Example:

“I have successfully led a team that increased sales by 30% from last year.”

7. Being Unprepared for Tough Questions

Employers often ask challenging questions to test your reasoning and ability to back yourself. Being unprepared for questions can heavily weaken your case.

Why It May Happen:

You may focus solely on getting your requests fulfilled without thinking of questions like, “Why do you deserve this salary?”

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake:

• Practise commonly asked questions during salary negotiations.
• Emphasise your value while remaining flexible and open to discussion.

Example:

You could respond with something like: “If the salary doesn’t align perfectly, I am open to discussing additional benefits and growth opportunities that can add value to my role.”

8. Forgetting to Get the Offer in Writing

• Politely request a written offer to review the terms.
• Ensure it includes all agreed-upon details, including salary, benefits, start date, etc.

Example:

“Thank you for the offer. Could you please send me the official document so I can review everything in detail?”

9. Absence of Follow-Up

Failing to follow up after salary negotiations can leave the impression that you are not as interested. It is one of the easiest mistakes to avoid.

Why It May Happen:

You may think everything that needs to be done and discussed is completed in the meeting.

How to avoid this salary negotiation mistake:

• Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, expressing gratitude for the offer and confirming the key points.
• Use follow-ups to build a strong professional impression and relationship.

Example:

You could simply say something like: “Thank you for the offer. I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to contributing to the team.”

Conclusion

It is crucial that you understand that salary negotiations are an essential part of the hiring process. However, there are various mistakes that can happen, and with little oversights, you can avoid them easily. Take each step with the aim to be a more accomplished professional.

Remember, preparation, confidence, and a logical mindset are the key to a successful salary negotiation. Take charge of your career’s growth with expert advice from Talent Higher!