Is it ethical to negotiate a higher pay?

A distinguished employee of a private firm, who possess almost 12 years of work experience asked me recently, “Is it ethical to negotiate a higher salary?”

This did not come as a surprise to me because I myself have been thinking over it. For Indians, every transaction is a negotiation or a bargain. Our expertise in this particular field is unmatchable. We bring down the cost of vegetable at the vendor’s shop within fraction of second. Bargaining with the auto driver for a change of a rupee or two is like a routine. If this is so easy for us, then why do Indians holding decades of experience in various field fail to negotiate for a better pay. Why do most of us think it is unethical to ask for more?

The fact is that majority of the employers expect the potential employees to negotiate, and hence they never start with the best possible offer. Unfortunately, Indian talents, be it fresher or experienced are unaware of this fact and agree to work for whatever is being offered. As a result in many of the Indian companies employees who do the same job with same designation are paid differently with a notable difference of Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000. When they come to know the fact it will be too late.

It doesn’t mean that you can simply argue for a better pay. There are a lot of things that you have to keep in mind while negotiating for a better pay. Primarily, know your strength and never be hesitant to ask what you are worth for. So take a good look at your own strength and present the case proficiently. Secondly, do a proper research to find out what other people in your field in the same geographic region are paid for doing the same work. Thirdly, it is not only during the time of job interview that you can negotiate what you ought to, even after an year of service you can negotiate for a better compensation package and remember if an employer is extending an offer that means your skills are in demand. And therefore negotiating can be considered as a means to know your demand.

Many of the Indian talent’s are uncomfortable and afraid to ask for better pay due to several misconceptions like; may lose the job, may spoil the existing image and if one doesn’t succeed in getting a hike then colleagues might make fun of and so on. Keep apprehensions away and ask in proper manner to the right person at the right time and it will be granted to you. All these can be avoided at a certain level in the initial stages itself by adding an expected salary range in the curriculum vitae because this shows that you are flexible and open. Also it is the right place to put your objective across.