Do you accept the first salary offered or do you negotiate?
In my 9 to 5 years, working for small firms, nonprofits, and international corporations, I always accepted the first salary I was offered.
I didn’t try to negotiate.
Not even once.
This was a big mistake on my part. I most assuredly left money on the table.
But, I’m not alone.
It turns out 73% of employers say they are willing to negotiate but 55% of candidates don’t even ask according to research done by CareerBuilder.
Finding a new job isn’t easy. Finding a new gig that’s also a good fit is even more difficult. It takes time, tenaciousness, and a little bit of luck.