This week’s hot topic: negotiation mistakes that are draining your paycheck. 💸

If you’re gearing up to ask for a raise or planning your next big career move, don’t let these common slip-ups hold you back.

Keep reading to learn what not to do and how to keep more money in your pocket!

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3 Negotiation Mistakes That Are Costing You

#1: Spilling the beans on your salary expectations too early 🫘

Picture this: You just crushed your interview, answering every question like the rockstar you are, and then get hit with the... "So, what are your salary expectations?"

Cue the minor panic attack → 😨

For a lot of us, we might feel pressured to just blurt out a number, hoping it's not too high, but here’s the truth: giving a set number too early in the game is almost always a costly mistake.

Why this can backfire:

At this stage, you don't have the full picture. You don't know the exact responsibilities, the complete benefits package, or how desperately they might need your unique skills.

The moment you name a number, that instantly becomes the highest they're likely to offer you. Even if they were prepared to pay more, you’ve unintentionally capped your own earnings.

What to do instead:

Your best move is to gently pull out the UNO reverse and turn it back on them. 🔁

Try something like: "I’m really excited about this position and want to make sure I’m understanding the full scope of the role. Can you share the budgeted salary range?”

If they really push for a number, you can give a broad range based on your market research for someone with your skills and experience.

Try: "Based on my research for a role of this experience level, my expected range is around $X to $X, but I’m open to discussing additional benefits and compensation.”

#2: Just Accepting the Offer 🤝

Assuming a job offer isn’t negotiable is like seeing a car’s sticker price and thinking that’s what everyone pays (rookie mistake). Just like cars, offers often have wiggle room…if you know how to ask!

Why this can backfire:

Some companies leave a little space in their offers because they expect you to negotiate, but if you don't, they're definitely not going to announce it. In their minds, they’ve just saved the company money, and you’ve missed out.

Without doing your homework, you’ll have no idea if that offer is fair, generous, or maybe even a lowball for someone with your skillset.

What to do instead:

Become a salary detective 🔍: Before any interview (and definitely before an offer), hit up databases like our website for accurate market research. Look for salaries that match your job title, years of experience, location, education, and even company size.

Also, talk with people in similar roles. Instead of asking "What do you make?", try: "What's a realistic salary range for someone with my background in this type of role/industry?" It's amazing what you can learn along the way.

Plus, start building a "brag sheet" of your accomplishments. Every bullet point on your resume should answer: "How did I add value?" ➡️ Think numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts (EX: "Increased sales by 15%" instead of "Responsible for sales").

And think beyond just the base salary: research total benefit packages, bonuses, equity, retirement matching, and even professional development budgets for similar roles.

#3: Coming in hot instead of keeping it cool 😎

Look, we're all about advocating for ourselves, but there's a big difference between confidently stating, "I believe my skills warrant $X based on my market research,” versus declaring, "I need $X or I’m walking."

Why this can backfire:

Companies aren't just hiring skills, they're hiring a person to join their team.

You might be worth every penny, but leading with ultimatums makes you look inflexible - and that’s a red flag for hiring managers. Negotiation is as much about how you communicate as what you ask for.

What to do instead:

Always start by thanking the company and reiterating your enthusiasm for the role. Try: "Thank you again for the offer. I'm excited about the opportunity to [mention something specific you're excited about] and contribute to [Company Name]'s mission."

Then, make a respectful and confident ask backed by your research, like: “Based on my experience and the market range for similar roles in this area, I was hoping we could explore a base salary closer to $X. Is that something we can discuss?”

If it doesn’t work out? Walk away with grace and always leave the door open for future connections by saying something like, “I really appreciate your time and the offer, but I’ve decided to move forward with another opportunity that aligns more closely with my goals. I hope we can stay in touch.”

Remember, tactful doesn’t mean timid. You can advocate for yourself while remaining professional. Negotiation is a conversation, not a showdown!

Ready to put these insights into action? Check out more negotiation tactics here.

We hosted LIVE recordings of our Two Cents podcast in Washington, DC and New York City last week! Thank you again to everyone who attended and shared their two cents with us. 💚

Want to hear how it went? Watch on YouTube below, or subscribe on your preferred podcast platform here.

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• Have a question? ❓ Ask us on Instagram LIVE this Friday at 12 PM ET!

• Are you being paid fairly? 💚 Find your market rate with our free guide.

• Nail your next interview. 🌟 Avoid this one mistake.

• Side hustling smarter 🧶 How this nurse anesthetist makes six figures.

• Editing your resume? 🚩 These are the top 3 resume red flags.

See you next week for more career-boosting insights and salary data! 📩