Tips On Getting Ahead At Work

Negotiating Tools For Women

Advice Seeker: Dear April,

Lately I've been noticing that I give in to people too easily rather than negotiating my way to get what I want. I feel like my lack of negotiating skills is really affecting many aspects of my life from my personal relationships to my professional career. How can I learn to be a better negotiator?

Sincerely,

No Negotiation Skills

April Masini's advice:

Dear No Negotiating Skills,

Negotiating is key for relationships -- whether with a used car salesman, an employer, a sister, or a lover. The tools are all the same.

Here are three important negotiating tools:

1. Know your bottom line. At what point in the negotiations or what is the offer that would make you clearly say no? No your "walk away" point before you begin negotiating.

2. Know what you want. What is the package (whether it's a car, a job, or a relationship) that you would say yes, to? Know that before you being a negotiation.

3. During the negotiation, stay loose. Read your opposition as best you can. There may be a point during the negotiation where you learn something about your opponent. You may realize that he or she is willing to offer way more than you thought you could get. You may also earn something makes you realize you have a limited amount of time to close the deal before you get less than you wanted. Reading your opponent -- and reading people in general, is a very valuable skill. Practice it.