Let’s get to the money, shall we? I’m slipping on my hiring manager hat and sharing with you what hiring managers really think when a candidate negotiates and when they don’t.

You think: “I want to ask, but I don’t want to lose the opportunity.”

The hiring manager thinks: “____________ is a good candidate, I think she can make a difference on this team. I’m sure we will be able to agree on a number that we’re both happy with.”

You think: “They offered me more than I’m making now, I should just be grateful and take it.”

The hiring manager thinks: “This isn’t my best offer; so I’m expecting _____________ to counter. We’ve been looking for someone with her background, so I hope we can make it work.”

You think: “If I insist on being paid market value, they’ll think I’m ungrateful and money hungry.”

The hiring manager thinks: “I don’t want to lose her and have to start over again. I’m going to try to find a way to make this happen.”

You think: “I’m nervous and don’t know what I’m doing, I’ll negotiate next time.”

The hiring manager thinks: “Bet! She didn’t negotiate, so I’m putting those salary savings on my list of accomplishments this year. Maybe I’ll get a raise for saving the company money.”

Actually, who cares what they think? You have the right and a responsibility to ask for what you are worth. Don’t let anyone (yourself included) take that away from you!

To asking anyway,

Ashley