So you’ve landed your dream job? Congratulations! You did it! But wait– it’s time to negotiate. That’s the sneaky hard part. Most of the time people (especially women) are afraid to enter into negotiations with their new employers. Too often we get shy and just accept whatever the employer offers us. But that’s not the best practice. In most industries, it is standard to negotiate a salary. Whether you’re working as a nanny, math teacher, or an engineer, you have the opportunity to negotiate your contract (salary and job duties) before you sign on the dotted line. 

But how? Here are four helpful tips you can take with you as you enter into negotiations with your new employer.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of Conflict

Social scientists have studied the differences between the genders in terms of negotiating. There has been research that demonstrates women are less vocal and less confident than their male counterparts when it comes to negotiations. Perhaps we find ourselves less inclined to argue because we come from cultures that have constantly told us to be seen rather than heard. It’s also possible that women are more trusting, so when we are offered a number in terms of salary, we think that’s the highest an employer can go. The reality is, the initial salary given is usually the lowest on a range. They usually can go higher if you make a case that you deserve to be paid more. Advice: be confident in your counter offer and do not be afraid of conflict. 

2. Take Time to Research

When you get an offer, do not rush to accept it. Let your employer know that you need time to review it. Then, communicate with your networks about the offer. Do you have any mentors in the field? Ask them for their opinion. If you don’t have anyone you can trust, you can look on websites like GlassDoor, Reddit and Linkedin to find comparable figures. Advice: Whatever you do, please do not rush your response. Ask for more time if you think you need it.

3. Always Counter

Unless a job listing specifically says they have a set cap you should always try to negotiate above the initial offer. With your research of other comparable jobs and a list of your experience ready to go, you should make an argument about why you should get paid more than what they offered. Advice: Ask for a few thousand dollars higher. What’s the worst they can say? No? Well, that’s not so bad!

4. Set Expectations & Boundaries

In addition to negotiating your salary, you can attempt to negotiate your job duties. Sometimes the job duties are already set and there is no room for negotiation. However, if you’re doing contract work or you’re working for a start up, you might be able to negotiate your actual job duties. You don’t want to make demands about what you will not do– after all you are asking to work for them–  but you can let them know if there’s something you don’t feel comfortable doing based on your level of expertise, etc. Advice: Make sure everything is in writing. If you don’t have a paper trail for these types of important conversations, then you’re just setting yourself up for failure. 

With every step in this nerve-wracking process, remember to say bismiAllah!