“Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.” H. Jackson Brown Jr.
We all know that the power of persuasion is key in securing that dream job. And that dream salary.
Question is how do you do it? How do you persuade a future employer you have just met that you are the candidate that they need. That they will want to secure at all cost?
One way to win the heart and mind of your future manager is solving the question, "What's in it for me?"
This then requires you to frame your skills and experiences in a way that directly speaks to the benefits and rewards the employer will receive by choosing you.
By doing so, you shift the focus from what you want (a job, a salary increase) to what you can provide (solutions, benefits, value), thereby aligning your goals with theirs.
Here is a step-by-step way to accomplish this feat:
Salary Negotiation SECRET - Listening as a Strategy
By listening more and talking less, you gain insights into the employer's challenges and needs.
As the employer articulates their challenges, listen intently, and think about how your skills and experiences can address these issues.
A good rule of thumb is speaking about 30% of the time. The rest is spent on listening and acknowledging.
Positioning Yourself as the Solution - The Power of Story
Once you understand the employer's challenges, it's your turn to shine by positioning yourself as the ideal solution.
But you must do it in a way that makes you memorable. And how do you do that?
Instead of simply stating that you have a particular skill set, share stories of how you've successfully applied those skills in the past to solve similar problems.
For example, if cost savings is a concern for the employer, recount a specific instance where you identified inefficiencies and implemented changes that resulted in significant savings.
Salary Negotiation Move - Highlighting the Rewards
The salary negotiation secret is to make yourself the indispensable candidate by framing everything you say in terms of the challenges and solutions for the employer. If revenue growth is a priority for the employer, explain how your innovative strategies or your knack for opening new market segments can drive growth.
If the company is looking to innovate, share examples of how your creative problem-solving or your experience with cutting-edge technologies can bring fresh perspectives and solutions.
By articulating the rewards that come with hiring you, you're justifying your salary expectations.
This makes it clear that your requested salary is a reflection of the value you bring to the table. It turns the negotiation into a conversation about investment and return rather than costs, setting the stage for the salary discussion.
Salary Negotiation - Bringing it all together
Merging all these above elements into your interview strategy elevates your candidate brand and sets you up for success once you secure the role.
Remember, it's about making the negotiation table less about a battlefield of numbers and more about painting a vision for the future teeming with mutual success.
Once you are able to connect with your future manager and show them how you solve their deep challenges, you are able to command the salary of your dreams.
If you need help, creating a strategy prior to your job offer, feel free to set up a discovery call.