41 / 52 · 25 Interview Preparation & Career · Negotiation and Offers← prev⊞ allnext →☰ Read as one page
5.9Common Negotiation Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It Hurts | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Accepting immediately | Leaves money on the table, signals low expectations | Always take 24-48 hours to review |
| Apologizing for negotiating | Undermines your position | Negotiation is expected and professional |
| Negotiating over email | Loses nuance, easier for them to say no | Always negotiate by phone or video call |
| Focusing only on salary | Misses higher-value components like equity and sign-on | Negotiate the full package |
| Revealing your current salary | Anchors you to your current (probably too low) number | "I prefer to focus on the market rate for this role and my qualifications" |
| Making threats | Destroys the relationship | Present data and alternatives, never ultimatums |
| Not having a walkaway number | You cannot negotiate without a floor | Decide your minimum before the conversation |
| Negotiating without competing offers | Weaker position | Always try to have multiple processes running in parallel |