One Simple Phrase Can Get You A Raise (Before You Even Start)

Asking for more money from a boss who hasn't actually hired you yet is usually about as comfortable as wearing a swimsuit made of sandpaper. But, there are some simple strategies that can help. Most people treat salary talks like they’re begging for a gold star in elementary school when they should actually be thinking like high-powered consultants. If you accept the first offer they throw at you, you’re actually negotiating against yourself, and may be leaving a giant pile of cash on the table!

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Here are Five Fast Facts on a simple phrase that can get you a raise (before you even say yes):

1. 🪄 Magic Words - The secret weapon phrase is: "What's the chance there's a little more here?" It’s designed to be polite and curious rather than aggressive, making it much harder for a boss to say "no" without at least checking their desk drawers for extra cash.

2. 💪 Level Up - Using this simple approach can result in a 5%-20% bump in your total compensation. It might also reveal opportunities to grow the scope of the role and solve bigger problems, which would also lead to a larger salary. You might even bag enough extra to upgrade your burrito to include guac!

3. 💡 The Consultant Mindset - Think less like a candidate and more like an executive operator. Instead of just answering questions, try digging into the company's problems and showing them how YOU are the expensive, high-tech solution they desperately need.

4. 🙉 Ignore the Market Talk - Even in a "tough job market," companies still have budgets for the right people. If they’ve spent weeks interviewing you, they’ve already invested a ton of time and energy in you, and they’d often rather pay a little more than start the whole process over again.

5. 👍 Start Immediately - Negotiation doesn't start when you get the offer; it starts the very first time you talk to them! Every time you demonstrate your value or solve a problem during the interview process, you are secretly adding more "zeroes" to your future paycheck.

🔥Bottom line: Does this strategy always work? No, and especially not if you're unprepared, don't present yourself well, and don't have the right skills for the job. But it works often enough that if you nail everything else, it's worth a shot! And remember, they've already given you an offer, so you know they want you. It's just a question of agreeing to a number that will get you. If you don't ask, the answer is always a big, fat "no," and your bank account will stay sad. From that perspective, it's really just the financially responsible thing to do. 😉

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What are your best tips for negotiating a better salary?

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