💰The Guide to Negotiating Higher Pay

This is the One Minute Wonder — the newsletter that boosts your career savvy in less time than it takes to brew your morning coffee.

Today we’re talking about salary negotiation. And yes, it’s true - the first rule is to never give a number first.

Imagine this: If someone offered you $100,000 to recite poetry while standing on one foot for five minutes, would you do it? It might feel awkward, but you'd probably seize the opportunity. Negotiating your salary is the same — a brief discomfort that can lead to substantial financial rewards.

Why it matters: A short negotiation can significantly impact your long-term earnings. Even a modest increase compounds over time, potentially adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout your career.

Mastering the Art of Negotiation

• Shift Your Mindset: See negotiation as a normal business process, not a confrontation. Hiring managers expect you to negotiate—it shows confidence and professionalism.

• Do Your Research: Use salary comparison sites (Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, PayScale) to understand what others in your field are making. Employers are less likely to lowball you when you present data-backed expectations.

  • Understand your fully-loaded cost. The employer sees you as your salary cost + benefits, pension, overhead, training, etc.

• Be Creative: If they can’t meet your salary request, explore other perks — stock options, remote work, extra vacation days, or professional development stipends. Everything is negotiable.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse with a friend or even an AI chatbot. The more you practice, the more natural (and less nerve-wracking) the conversation becomes.

Bonus Tools to Boost Your Negotiation Game:

• ChatGPT Resume Editor – Polish your resume and cover letter for maximum impact.

• Parker Dewey – Find short-term projects that build experience and bargaining power.

• AI-Powered Mock Interviews – Tools like Interviewing.io help you refine your pitch.

The Takeaway: Negotiating your salary is like standing on one foot—awkward at first, but totally worth it. Stand tall, be prepared, and get what you deserve!