“How comfortable would you be negotiating for a higher salary or better benefits with an employer who has offered you a job?” is the question recruiting firm Robert Half International asked 1,024 Canadian workers. While 61% said very or moderately comfortable, 30% were moderately or very uncomfortable and 9% didn’t know.
The study notes that as the job market improves, professionals have more negotiating power, but says that to keep salary discussions headed toward a positive outcome, it is important for job seekers to understand just how much leverage they have. To this effect, the study identified the top mistakes made during salary negotiations, including being afraid to ask for more pay, neglecting benefits, being too accommodating and tipping your hand. Other tips include researching prevailing salaries beforehand, getting the specifics of the offer in writing and finally remaining professional and courteous throughout the negotiation process.