Whether we’re starting a new job or gunning for a promotion at our current one, we all know that we should be negotiating the salary.
A survey revealed that only 37% of people always negotiate their salaries—while an astonishing 18% never do. Even worse, 44% of respondents claim to have never brought up the subject of a raise during their performance reviews.

The biggest reason for not negotiating for more ? Fear.
Fear of losing.
And we get it: Salary negotiation can be scary. But what’s even scarier is not doing it.
Why is it important to negotiate your salary?
It’s a good idea to negotiate for the highest salary you believe you deserve when you’re hired.
But it’s not just about the money. Negotiating your salary also shows your potential employer that you value yourself and your skills. It’s a sign of confidence and assertiveness that can make a positive impression on your new boss. 

A huge and common mistake people make before salary negotiations is failing to prepare. They show up with strong opinions about what they deserve and no evidence to back them up. This is when negotiations can flop, and new hires often leave feeling defeated.

Wise negotiators understand that you shouldn’t rush into an agreement without proper research and planning about what you will say in different scenarios. Preparation makes you far more confident and calm during the negotiation process.

Best way to negotiate higher salary

Remember that you’re in your most powerful negotiating position when you’re pursuing a new position before you’ve been hired. Take advantage of this extra leverage while you have it.

• The first step is to arm yourself with some market data on average salaries for your position, keeping in mind that in certain parts of the country, companies pay more than in others.

• Next, factor in your own level of experience and unique attributes that you bring to the table. It’s possible that as a highly valued candidate, you can command even more than the market average.

• With this information in hand, set a target salary range. Your target numbers should be realistic for your location, industry, position and skill set.

• Practice asking for the salary you’d like to receive, so your delivery comes across as confident and in control.

• Even though you may feel well-practiced and ready to negotiate, let the hiring manager bring up the topic before you do. The employer may see it as poor form – and a sign that you’re more interested in your compensation than solving the company’s problems – if you start talking about salary prematurely.

• There’s more to your compensation package than just salary. Remember to ask for benefits as part of your salary discussion.