You just got your first job offer. It’s an exciting and stressful time. The prospect of negotiating your salary feels especially daunting — you don’t want to ruffle any feathers. So you’re thinking about skipping the negotiation altogether. But negotiating your salary is extremely important, especially in your first job. Your starting salary serves as an anchor throughout your career, with raises, bonuses, and even retirement savings influenced by that initial amount. Starting too low could be a costly mistake.
10 Myths About Negotiating Your First Salary
From bargaining power to asking for more money.
July 03, 2017
Summary.
You just got your first job offer. It’s an exciting and stressful time. The prospect of negotiating your salary feels especially daunting — you don’t want to ruffle any feathers. So you’re thinking about skipping the negotiation altogether. But negotiating your salary is extremely important, especially in your first job. Your starting salary serves as an anchor throughout your career, with raises, bonuses, and even retirement savings influenced by that initial amount. Starting too low could be a costly mistake. So don’t buy into common myths about negotiating your first salary. Do your homework and negotiate for what you want – and reap significant benefits for years to come.
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New!
HBR Learning
Career Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.