You are uncomfortable negotiating because of your inherent temperament. You are naturally shy and timid, which is making you feel ill at ease and rather uncomfortable asking your employer for more money. However, within your heart you know that the initial salary offer that has been made is certainly not what you are worth, moreover it is not enough for you to
meet your expenses. So what do you do?
1) Shy Versus The Outspoken
People, who are outspoken and prepared to ask for what they want, are listened to more than those who do not ask. You can perceive this as unjust and unfair, but that's how businesses work. If you don't ask, you don't get. Aggression is often seen in business circles as being self-confident and assured.
It is not true, however that shy people cannot be assured and forceful. It is just that they are reluctant to deliberate with people in authority as they are by nature less talkative. However, they can be just as forceful, but maybe less persistent and pushy as their outspoken counterparts.
Being persistent and pushy are not necessarily strengths and could give such employees an image of being belligerent and self-centered.
However, the timid score over them in that they can be very useful to the company when it comes to negotiating with labor unions and in other areas of the company where less garrulous people are required, for they listen more than they talk. This will help them to understanding other people's wants and viewpoints.
Outspoken people normally are blunt and spurt out words, which they may later have to regret and which can cause their career prospects harm. On the other hand when a shy person speaks out, he normally puts in a lot of thought into it. He is less likely to put his foot in his mouth.
2) Negotiate On Your Strong Points
Even though I do not want to dampen your enthusiasm, being a shy, introvert person in the US, a country that is naturally drawn towards aggression, has its shortcomings. Like I told you, if you will not demand your rights, you will not get them. The management is so busy listening to those who are asking, where is the time to notice a quiet-you.
This does not mean that you have to outshout or speak louder than your more vocal co-workers. You are only negotiating a salary not going out to duel. Just state precisely, what you feel you want, in terms of your monthly pay check, benefits, and signing amount. Don't be hesitant; you are within your rights to do it and moreover, negotiating a salary, will nearly always increase the initial offer. It would be stupid to let of the opportunity.
Here's where you can turn your shyness to your advantage. Listen carefully to the interviewer. He will tell you what he and the company expects of you. Then when it's your turn to speak, repeat every single expectation that the employer has expressed and tell him how you intend to meet them. Most outspoken candidates are so eager to get their words across, that in their impatience they do not listen carefully to the employer. In you the employer will find a refreshing change.
3) Maneuver Employer Advice To Your Advantage
If the employee stressed on punctuality and regularity and the value of getting to work on time and not being absent a lot, grab the opportunity and tell your employer that the extra-money you are asking for, would probably pay for transportation and allow you to hire a taxi during bad weather, instead of public transport to minimize chances of missing work.
If the employer offers you a week's vacation instead of the two you were looking forward to. Tell him, that you were thinking of taking extra-course work, during the extra week that would further embellish your skills and eventually help you at the workplace.
The general idea you want to convey, is that the extra money that you are seeking is not just to fatten your purse, but to help you at the workplace and that it is a win-win situation for both the employer and you.
4) You Too Can Be Assertive
Just follow these simple tips
