Lesson 1
Valuing your expertise
Research your market value to build a solid foundation for your salary request.
Market benchmarking
Use sites like Glassdoor, Payscale, and LinkedIn Salary to find the specific range for your job title in your city. Aim for the 75th percentile of the data. Account for your specific years of experience, certifications, and unique skills that save the company money.
The value proposition
Create a brief list of three key achievements from your career that directly correlate to the company's needs. For example, 'My previous project increased efficiency by 20%.' This shifts the talk from 'I want more money' to 'I am bringing X value to your team.' Do this before you even receive the offer. By knowing your baseline and your 'stretch' goal, you remain calm during the offer call. Never settle for the first number provided without checking your benchmarks first.