Hello Reader,
If you “negotiated hard” for your salary, you probably did it wrong. One woman got the raise she wanted with a single sentence. No pushback, no tactics, no fight.
One of my clients had just received an offer from her dream company. Great role and amazing people. And a salary that was good, but not quite what she knew she was worth.
She messaged me, being half apologetic about it.
“The offer is wonderful, but I think I want more than that.”
I told her I was glad, glad she knew her worth, and that she was now going to ask for it.
But then: “Oh god. How am I even supposed to do that?”
Here is the whole trick, and it is barely a trick at all. She didn’t ask. She stated. She did it in writing, which meant she could take all the time she needed to get it right.
She thanked them for the offer. She said how much she liked the role and the responsibilities. And then came the one line that did the work.
“I believe a salary of X is appropriate, given the responsibilities I’ll be holding and the experience I bring.”
Read that again. It is not a question. There is no “would it be possible” and no “I was hoping.” It is a calm statement of what she believes is fair, and no one on earth can argue with what you believe.
It is your view.
It stands.
There was nothing negative in it either.
“The offer is great. I would love to go ahead, and here is the one thing I’d adjust.”
Their reply came back almost at once. “Sounds appropriate. Here is your updated offer letter. Congratulations.”
One sentence. That was all it took.
You can do it! 🙋♀️💪
Mareike
P.S. What number have you quietly talked yourself out of before anyone even had the chance to say yes?
