This guest post from Christine Ko, my co-author for our latest salary negotiation book, Five Minutes to a Higher Salary.

Negotiate In Person

Pros

• Gauge other party’s reactions
• Often the fastest form of negotiation
• Can use subtle negotiation tactics like leveraging silence

Cons

• The other party can see your reactions
• You could feel or seem nervous
• You might give in to their subtle negotiation tactics and leave money on the table
• Might take time to arrange a meeting
• Can’t read from a script or risk looking like an unskilled negotiator
• Can be interrupted by the other party
• Might forget talking points or be unable to say everything you wanted

Who should use this method?

• People who are comfortable with negotiation and are confident in their arguments and skills.
• People who need fast answers

Negotiate Over the Phone

Pros

• Still hear the reactions of the other party
• Can use a script/talking points more easily
• Can talk long distance
• Can arrange a phone call quickly
• Negotiations will end more quickly than over email

Cons

• Might run into connection problems
• You might feel and sound nervous
• Can be interrupted by other party
• May not be able to say everything you wanted

Who should use this method?

• People who still want to try traditional negotiation tactics but need still need guidance from a script
• People who can’t meet with their recruiter directly because of distance

Negotiate Via Email

Pros

• Can choose specific words to say
• Can make sure to include every argument you want to

Cons

• Will take longer for a response and a conclusion
• Cannot take into account the other party’s reactions

Who should use this method?

• People uncomfortable with direct negotiation
• People who want to make sure that their request includes everything important