How to prevent underselling yourself

The price of everything is drastically rising. From pin to piano, nothing is sold at the same rate as it was a few years ago. If so is the case with products and services, why is your pay package as an employed professional stuck at the same level as it was a few years ago? If you feel like you are not getting what you deserve, it is probably because you are underselling yourself to your employers. It is time for you to recognise and project your actual worth. How to go about this, you ask? The first step is to understand that you're underselling yourself.

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Start by fixing the rate you're willing to exchange your services for and stick with it no matter how friendly your relation is with the client or how much you need the work. It is difficult to tread the line between building loyal relationships and undercharging. However, once you've mastered the art of doing so, you will be able to make a comfortable living.

When you're pitching to a new client, put your rate forward and don't leave any room for negotiation. Convey your expected fees right from the beginning and they won't assume anything different as your association grows through the years.

Here's a three step method to help you prevent underselling yourself:

Boost your confidence by taking on new challenges.

If you remain in your comfort zone for too long without taking risks or accepting different responsibilities, you will pose a threat not only to your career growth but also your self-confidence. Get out of your cocoon and don't be afraid to steer your career in a whole new direction. This will increase your skill-set and courage and you will stop underselling yourself to future clients and employers.

Increase expectations

Talk to your friends and colleagues who have the same job profile as yours and find out what they are earning. Avoid settling for whatever you are being paid. Raise your expectations to reasonable levels and make sure those expectations are met. You deserve an equal standing and pay package as your colleagues, if not more. Do your research and make a strong case for yourself, and aid it with excellent work.

Make yourself visible

If you are freelancing and have a certain skill that will be of use to companies, make sure that the organisations in question are aware of your existence. The same goes for when you are employed at a corporate. Take on important projects and complete them before the assigned deadline. Talk about your work on social networking sites like LinkedIn and ensure that you get noticed by the people who matter. Lack of visibility in spite of practicing good work can have a negative impact on your career.

The key is to work hard and let the world know what it is that you are looking for and why you deserve it. Dream high and never settle.