If the thought of negotiating makes you break out into a cold sweat, you’re not alone! Even if you have excellent negotiation skills, chances are that negotiating for yourself when it comes to a job offer feels intimidating. Somehow, when it comes to this part of the career transition process, most of us panic on some level.
Throughout my experience working with 1000+ professionals in career transitions, I’ve learned that there is one foundational aspect of negotiation that impacts your success more than anything else. Believe it or not, the one thing that influences your ability to negotiate is your MINDSET.
This is not just “positive thinking;” it’s the way you approach the entire process and how you get rid of the beliefs that are holding you back. If you want to be successful in the job offer process, this is not something you can ignore.
Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?
“I would be lucky just to have a job.”
“I don’t want to come across as greedy.”
“I’m sure they’re offering me what they can.”
“Anyone could do this job. It’s not rocket science.”
“They might take back the offer.”
“I don’t have a _______ degree, so I can’t expect to get paid more than this.”
“This is the best I can get.”
“What if this is my only opportunity?”
“Something is better than nothing.”
“I’m sure that they have other candidates that are more qualified.”
These statements reveal a lot about what you believe about yourself and your career opportunities, and all of these hinder your ability to negotiate your next job offer.
Although negotiation conversations may seem like a terrifying prospect, they don’t have to be! Learning to approach them from a different perspective makes the process a totally different experience.
Here are a few ways the right mindset transforms how you negotiate:
• It gives you confidence in communicating the value you have to offer.
• It releases your attachment to the outcome.
• It helps you consider what this opportunity is worth to you.
• It allows you to look beyond this job to your future career moves.
• It opens up compensation and advancement potential.
• It prevents resentment and feeling taken advantage of.
Embracing the right mindset in negotiation is transformational! It impacts your current position, as well as your future opportunities.
For years, I undervalued my abilities, and I was terrified of advocating for myself. I thought that accepting what I was offered was humility, when it was actually insecurity. I was blessed to have bosses who cared about me and offered what I didn’t ask for – or I would have stayed at the same place for far too long!
Approaching negotiation with confidence is important, even if you don’t get what you’re asking for, because it allows you to take into account your impact on the organization and what you may choose to give up because of the other benefits of the position. For example, you may choose to accept less than you’re worth for an organization that has a purpose you align with, or because of the opportunities it affords you to grow and develop in your target industry. You may choose to take a lower compensation package, because of the value you place on the corporate culture or the intangible benefits you receive. All of that is part of the process. It’s not just about the money or the benefits package. But if you are going to compromise in one aspect, it’s essential that you understand that and intentionally make that choice.
Does negotiation scare you? It doesn’t have to! You can learn to approach it from a perspective that leads to a successful negotiation process – even if you don’t get everything you ask for.
If you need to grow your skills, my Interview Like a Boss and Get Hired at the Next Level course includes a bonus negotiation training. If you want to know more, reach out to lisa@loveyournicheconsulting.com.
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