Three Top Myths of Salary Negotiations

So you've gotten a job offer at a health care facility, but there's a catch: they want YOU to tell THEM what you think you should make. This question scares even the most highly educated executives and often causes people to turn down job offers out of this fear. This fear is driven by a myth that salary negotiation is a trick method used by companies to weed out those who want a decent salary, but this just isn't the case. Below are the top myths of salary negotiation and how they're busted.

It's a No-No to Negotiate Salary

Because this is the most widely believed myth, it seems fitting to start with it first. A college education and years of experience normally warrant a salary on the higher end of the scale, rather than a typical entry-level salary. However, some businesses offer entry-level salaries in hopes that the potential employee will negotiate the salary a bit higher. This doesn't mean that if you're offered $40,000 a year you can negotiate $60,000 or $70,000, but somewhere in between is a happy medium that the employer is all too willing to accept.

The Key to Winning a Salary Negotiation is to Offer a Low Salary Bid

Many people apply for jobs that require them to set a salary that they are comfortable with based on their experience. Due to competitive job offers in the health care field, many people make the mistake of offering a lower salary thinking it will improve their chances of getting hired. Here's the problem—the employer took the time out to look through your resume, siphon through your experience, and review your educational background. Based on this information, they'd like to give you, the applicant, a chance to negotiate what salary you'd be comfortable starting with. If you offer a low salary, this could show the employer that you're either desperate, or you don't believe in your own abilities.

The Economy Should Dictate When It's the Right Time to Negotiate Your Salary

Regardless of how the economy is doing, there are more jobs than ever opening up in the health care industry. Physicians are in high demand, the market for jobs is expected to continue growing over the next five years. In a weak economy, this will not mean that you will lose the right to negotiate a fair salary. Just remember, only talk about your worth when negotiating your salary—not your personal finances.

Article Originally Published on ACOG Career Connection