Woman shares tips on how to negotiate salary after a job offer in the best way possible

In the world of work, few things can be as daunting and yet crucial as salary negotiations. Many of us often grapple with questions like, "Am I worth more?" or "How do I approach this delicate conversation?" In a TikTok video, Natasha (@natasha.badger) shares her personal experience and valuable insights on how she successfully negotiated her salary at her workplace. Viewers delved into Natasha's story, extracting wisdom from her journey while emphasizing the significance of negotiating for fair compensation.

Natasha's journey begins with candor. She admits that her initial instinct wasn't to negotiate but the encouragement of her parents nudged her in the right direction. She acknowledges the common apprehension many of us feel when entering the negotiation arena: "I was really nervous to do this." Her strategy was grounded in meticulous research, a practice that anyone contemplating salary negotiations should consider a non-negotiable prerequisite. Natasha opted to request a modest 6% increase over the initial offer. Her rationale for this figure was both practical and personal. She factored in the cost of living in her new location, New York City; her one year of experience and her self-assessment of her worth.

One of the most enlightening takeaways from Natasha's experience is her approach to negotiation. She challenges the conventional wisdom of asserting one's worth within an industry as this can sometimes backfire. Natasha wisely reframed her approach based on advice from her mother, a Vice President with experience in hiring. Instead of saying, "This is what I think I'm worth," Natasha's approach was refreshingly candid: "I was honestly looking for a number closer to X because I'm going to be living in New York City. Is that a number that you'd be willing to work with or how does your budget look?"

This method is straightforward, honest and most importantly, it invites collaboration rather than confrontation. Natasha's experience highlights that the ease of negotiation can vary depending on the company's size. Smaller companies, like the startup she works at, often offer more direct lines of communication, making the negotiation process smoother.

In contrast, larger corporations may involve more layers of bureaucracy she says. Regardless of the company's size, Natasha emphasizes the importance of taking the initiative to negotiate, even if it's not explicitly mentioned. "It's always worth a shot," she advises. If the negotiation doesn't yield immediate results, Natasha suggests several alternative strategies. One can seek a middle ground or explore non-monetary benefits such as additional vacation time, relocation assistance or signing bonuses. These options can significantly enhance the overall compensation package. In Natasha's view, the essence of salary negotiation lies in approaching it as a transparent and honest business conversation. It's a mutual decision between employer and employee and resorting to manipulative tactics can hinder the process. 

Natasha's insights serve as a reminder that successful negotiation is not about outsmarting the other party but about finding common ground where both sides can benefit. Her experience underscores the significance of research, honesty and a collaborative approach in navigating this often intimidating terrain. Her story serves as a beacon of encouragement, motivating individuals to advocate for fair compensation and recognize that negotiation is about securing a better paycheck and fostering open and mutually beneficial professional relationships.