Congratulations! You’ve made it to the stage of a job interview where you’re talking money. You’ll want to be strategic when negotiating your salary to ensure you get the pay you deserve. After all, the right words can be a powerful signal of your professionalism to a potential employer.
15 Words and Phrases to Avoid When Negotiating Salary
1. “I’m sorry.”
Few phrases signal weakness during negotiations as much as “I’m sorry.” Unfortunately, applicants sometimes tend to apologize for circ*mstances that aren’t their fault, or are beyond their control. Even though you may mean it as a way to seem open, avoid saying “I’m sorry” in salary negotiations since you risk looking like you could back down easily.
2. “I need…”
When you’re in salary negotiations, rather than making it all about what you want, turn the tables and make the conversation about the employer’s needs instead. Focus on what you bring to the table, and what you have to offer an employer.
3. “No.”
As powerful as it is, the simple word “no” can come off as whiny and obstinate. It may even make a potential boss conclude that you’re not a collaborator or a good team player. Just as you don’t want to be too eager to say “yes,” be very sparing with using the word “no,” or avoid it altogether in salary negotiations.
4. “I’ll take it.”
As happy (and frankly, relieved) as you may be to get a great job offer, don’t accept anything right away! If you’re worried that your eagerness might get the best of you, do a practice interview where you have a chance to calmly consider the offer. Plus, taking some time to think will ensure that you don’t come across as desperate.
5. “I don’t know.”
If you’ve done your research, youdoknow what you want. You should know what kind of job you want, which duties allow you to excel, and what your skills and relevant career experience are worth in the job marketplace. If you say, “I don’t know,” you risk sounding ambiguous and unsure about yourself, which might make employer lose confidence in their decision to hire you.
6. “I want more.”
“More” can be a too-vague phrase that leads a job interviewer grasping for what it is you’re seeking. More money? Then how much more? More workflexibility? In what way—flexible hours or an alternative schedule? Being as specific as you can in job negotiations can lead to happier conclusions for both parties. More might sound greedy, so be as specific about what it is you’re really after.
7. “The least I’d be willing to take is…”
Salary negotiations are like high-stakes poker, so you don’t want to reveal your hand right away. If you say the least amount you’d accept for a salary, there’s a good chance that ‘s what you’ll be offered—and nothing more. Since you don’t want to low-ball yourself, make sure any figures you mention are at the higher end of what you really would be willing to accept, rather than the lower end.
8. “Is that all?”
Whether you’re using this phrase in reference to pay or the power you’ll wield in a prospective job, try to avoid the appearance that you’re grasping for more than the job may offer. While you may want as much as you can get, don’t insult the employer by belittling the offer.
9. “The problem is…”
If you’re raising potential problems before you even get in the door, you may look like a perpetually pessimistic person who always sees the glass as half empty. Rather than talk about what’s wrong, focus on what’s right with a potential job, or what you can bring to the position to make it even better.
10. “I’m actually looking for…”
If you utter this phrase in an interview, the implication could be that while the current job or salary being offered is just OK, you’d want something else if you had your druthers. If your intention is to negotiate salary and benefitsthat meet your needs, precise language will increase your chances of getting what you want.
11. “I hate to ask, but…”
If you “hate to ask” a certain question in salary negotiations, here are two options: don’t ask it, or omit that conversation-stopping phrase and ask it directly. If the question is about money or flexible work options, simply ask your question directly or make it a statement. (“I’ve been a successful remote worker in the past, and believe I can be just as successful and productive in this job,” as opposed to, “I hate to ask, but could I work remotely?”)
12. “My current salary is…”
Depending on what stage of the interview process you’re in, you’ll probably be asked what your current salary is if you’re employed. Thing is, you never want to answer this question because it can kill any chances of negotiation in the future. You can politely and respectfully say that you’d rather not disclose it.
13. “Can we discuss it later?”
Unless you’re an expert negotiator, negotiating makes most people feel uncomfortable. To avoid having to negotiate, you might think you want to say something like, “Can we talk about salary later?” but this isn’t a good idea. If you don’t address your salary negotiation right away, it can appear like you’re afraid or embarrassed to do so. Plus, if you wait too long to negotiate, not only are you just putting off the inevitable, but you might not have the same ability to negotiate for what you truly want.
14. “I want…”
Salary negotiations are all about what you want, right? Unfortunately, if you start rattling off a laundry list of things that you want from a potential employer, it can come across sounding selfish and greedy. Instead, show your prospective boss what you can bring to the table, and how your skills and education make you a top choice for the job. Prove what you’re worth by showing what you can do—and you’ll have the salary that you want.
15. “Yes.”
Saying yes to an offer too soon can cut your chances of getting an even better salary. No matter what offer is presented to you, it’s up to you to negotiate so that you can show you know what you’re worth, and also possibly make that dream salary even sweeter!
Powerful Phrases to Use in Salary Negotiations
- “I’m very excited.” Shows enthusiasm and a high level of engagement.
- “I hope…” Connotes optimism.
- “I might be willing to consider…” Signals openness in the negotiation process.
- “Thank you.” Speaks for itself.
Choose Your Words
When you’re evaluating a job offer, figuring how to negotiate your salary should be one of the first tasks on your to-do list. Before diving into salary negotiations, though, take some time to think through your options and choose your words carefully to put yourself in the best possible position.
