Among common mistakes often women make three are the most glaring. They are not recognizing the situations as opportunities to negotiate, failing to negotiate for themselves like they would for someone else, and not willing to say no.
Everything is negotiable
Remember there is always an opportunity to negotiate whenever you get a job offer. The strength you have as a woman is your ability to develop relationships. It is very difficult to say no to someone you like and at the same time you hesitate to ask for what you want fearing it may spoil the relationship. This fear works behind your mind when you are negotiating. Do you know that negotiating never hurts?
It all depends on how you ask for something. Just ask, don't make a demand. The thumb rule is to ask for more than what you expect. You may not get all you want, but you may be surprised to see what you actually get by just asking for it.
Negotiate for yourself as you do for others
Women as a matter of fact find it embarrassing to negotiate for them. They are raised to believe that asking for something is selfish. This feeling makes them embarrassing to negotiate their own compensation. The solution for this trait is to get over it.
Do some homework and you yourself will come to know what is reasonable and fair to ask for while negotiating with a potential employer. Don't settle for anything less. Just think you are negotiating for someone else and go ahead. Don't forget that none will come to your rescue when you fail to get what you want while negotiating a compensation package. Remember every hike you get in future and the perks depend on the negotiation you make now. A mistake made now gets compounded throughout your career.
Keep all fears at bay
Women as such are concerned more about relationships and as such they are more reluctant to say no. They are happy if they make everybody happy. But it goes against you when you don't say no while negotiating a job offer. You needn't say no aggressively. When you think the offer is less than what you have expected, say so politely but firmly and ask the recruiting manager whether it could be improved. If not, don't hesitate to spurn the offer and get away.
Know these ground realties so that you can be a better negotiator.
