Have You Even Asked For More?

Most People Who Ask for a Raise Get One—Have You?

From the data, 75% of those who ask for a raise receive some form of pay increase. If that surprises you, you might be among the 8% who fear that simply asking could cost them their job.

While that fear is understandable, it’s largely unfounded. The vast majority of employers won’t withdraw a job offer or fire you just for negotiating. In fact, during the hiring process, most employers expect candidates to negotiate their salary.

As long as you’re not asking for an unrealistic amount, no reasonable employer will pull an offer.

That said, some employers do waver when a candidate tries to negotiate it's most likely a sign of an unreasonable, dysfunctional employer, and you probably would have encountered plenty more dysfunction if you worked there. You have to test the waters!

In other words, you have little to lose by negotiating—and potentially a lot to gain, including valuable insight into the company culture that could impact your decision to take the job.

Not negotiating leaves anywhere between $1 million and $1.5 million on the table in lost earnings over their lifetime.

Further, taking less than you deserve can hurt your performance at work. Underpaid workers are less satisfied and less productive... meaning that you might be less likely to earn that raise, anyway.

Negotiating salary provides benefits beyond more money. It helps you learn how to tackle difficult conversations at work, while being professional, cooperative, prepared, and non-adversarial.

Reference:

Zhong J. The consequences of not negotiating your salary. Payscale. Published January 17, 2017. Accessed June 2, 2023. https://www.payscale.com/salary-negotiation-guide/consequences-not-negotiating-salary/