3 myths holding you back from a better offer
Negotiating your salary can feel intimidating, especially with so many “rules” floating around. But not all of those “rules” are true—in fact, some might be...
Hi there,
Negotiating your salary can feel intimidating, especially with so many “rules” floating around. But not all of those “rules” are true—in fact, some might be holding you back from what you’re really worth.
Myth #1:
“If You’re Already Satisfied with the First Offer, Don’t Negotiate.”
Reality Check:
Even if the initial number seems fair, it’s almost always not the company’s top number.
An employer needs to leave room to move higher if circumstances change (e.g. you get a competing offer while finishing up interviews with them) and they really want you to sign.
Accepting too quickly sets your long-term earning potential from an unnecessarily lower starting point.
What to Do Instead:
Ask for more politely and in an open-ended way, as it will retain your leverage since you haven’t shared a specific number or range that you’d want.
Exhibit A: a past client of ours told us she’d be happy with just an additional $20K bump to her base.
We encouraged her to ask for more without stating how much more, and the company came back with an additional $40K.
If she had asked for just $20K, she would have left $20K on the table.
By asking for more without stating your number, the company just might surprise you with how much more they give you.
Myth #2:
“You Should Name the Salary First to Anchor Them High.”
Reality Check:
In job offer negotiations, the company holds more information about their compensation budget.
If you go first, you risk choosing a number that’s too low (leaving money on the table) or too high (turning them off).
It’s more strategic to let them reveal their range first.
What to Do Instead:
Try something like:
“I’m open to a competitive offer. Could you share the budgeted range for this position?”
Myth #3:
“Negotiating Your Salary Will Put the Offer at Risk.”
Reality Check:
When done politely and enthusiastically, negotiation almost never leads to a retracted offer.
If you remain professional and show genuine excitement for the role, a rescinded offer would be an extreme—and unlikely—overreaction from a reputable employer.
If they do respond with a negative overreaction, that’s a useful data point signaling a potential red flag about the company.
What to Do Instead:
Keep it friendly, upbeat, and focused on value.
For example:
“I’m really excited about joining the team. To ensure this package is competitive, could we explore a bit more on compensation?”
Approaching it this way shows confidence and reassures them that if they meet you halfway, you’re ready to say yes.
The Takeaway
Don’t let outdated myths discourage you.
Negotiations aren’t about playing hardball; they’re about ensuring both you and your future employer feel great about the partnership you’re about to form.
Still feeling unsure?
Book a free call with us or reply to this email, and we’ll guide you through it.
Best,
Gerta & Alex
Co-founders of YourNegotiations.com