How negotiating salaries can earn you $1 million

New research suggests that negotiating salaries can earn you big money in the long run.

Over the course of your career, is it possible to rake in an extra $1 million by negotiating small salary increases?

In a recent case study, Salary.com documented the difference between two workers: Jim, starting at $45,000 -- and accepting a one percent rise every year -- and Jane, who starts at $50,000 and negotiates a four percent raise every three years.

After 45 years, the difference in their total lifetime earnings is $1,037,773.

"It's a theoretical scenario," says Abby Euler, general manager at Salary.com. "But it gives a very good idea of what some people could be leaving on the table."

In a recent survey conducted by the website, only 41 percent of workers push for a pay raise, even though 84 percent of companies expect their employees to request one. Now that the economic situation has improved from the 2008 recession, it might be a good time to renegotiate rates.

While some employees may fear irritating those higher-up or losing their jobs by attempting to negotiate, a survey conducted by the website said that no employers have fired or demoted staff for asking. However, Tim Sackett, president of HRU Technical Resources, says that companies often "condition" their staff to believe that negotiation is a waste of time.

While negotiating salary increases, employees should focus on the skills they bring to the table, rather than become defensive, emotional, or mention personal needs for extra money. Performance levels, career growth and what you offer a company are far more important than personal circumstances when asking for a raise.

"Make your manager as confident as possible in your abilities," Euler says, "So when your manager decides to put your case to his manager, it's a no brainer."

Via: MarketWatch

Related:

• Will retirement be a distant memory in the future?
• The reasons your online business isn't working
• Lenovo chief shares annual bonus with staff
• In light of the NSA scandal, should employers check staff activity online?
• Germany accepts Bitcoin as currency

Image credit: Flickr

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com