There are so many ways to sabotage yourself in a salary negotiation.
HR expert Steve Kane stresses that negative answers like "won't" can really hurt your chances.
But some mistakes are easier to recover from than others.
Business Insider recently asked "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job" author Lynn Taylor to pick out the worst possible mistake one can make while trying to negotiate a raise.
She says that it's important to avoid sounding rude or arrogant during any negotiation.
However, if you're a generally polite person, there's one statement that's much more likely to hurt you. She cited the phrase "I need..." as the worst statement you can make during a wage negotiation.
"By saying you 'need' money for personal reasons, you are, by definition, refuting the concept that your contributions are worthy of a higher salary," she says.
Remember, you're asking for fair consideration, not a personal favor. Talking about your "needs" may leave the other party doubting both your value and financial competence.
Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, and author of "Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad," agrees.
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