Why You Should Avoid The Word ‘Fair’ In Salary Negotiations

Why You Should Avoid The Word ‘Fair’ In Salary Negotiations

Asking for a raise can be tricky. You have to approach the conversation in the right way, and as Lee E. Miller, co-author of A Woman’s Guide to Successful Negotiating points out, that means you probably want to leave out the word “fair”.

Photo by reynermedia.

Miller told Business Insider:

The concept of fairness is not an effective way to approach negotiation of salary because it’s going to put the employer on the defensive…When you say, ‘My salary is not fair,’ that engenders a negative response.

The advice is aimed at women, but really, this is a solid point for all of us. When approaching your employer for a raise, you want to be direct, but you also want to stick to your professional value — your accomplishments and responsibilities.

Also, everyone has a different idea what “fair” is to begin with. However, if your salary is a lot lower than the industry standard, Miller recommends the phrase: “I think this is below the market, can you reconsider?”

For more negotiating tips, head to the full post below.

There’s one word to avoid at all costs when you ask for more money at work [Business Insider]


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