4 Years of Loyalty. One Resignation. One Lesson I'll Never Forget. 💼 For the last 4 years , I gave my company everything I had. ✅ Late nights. ✅ Ownership. ✅ Solving production issues. ✅ Handling day-to-day operations. ✅ Being available whenever the team needed me. My team was already short-staffed , and I genuinely believed I was one of the people who consistently added value every single day. So, somewhere in my mind, I had this belief... If I ever resign, they'll definitely retain me. That belief turned out to be my biggest mistake. 📩 The Day I Submitted My Resignation The moment I put down my papers, HR reached out. The conversation started with a question I honestly wasn't prepared for. What can we do to retain you? I froze. Not because I didn't want to stay. But because I never expected that question. I didn't have a number in mind. I didn't have a list of demands. I simply said, Honestly, I don't know. I don't have any...
When it comes to salary, I was always shy.
When it comes to salary, I was always shy.
I never asked for more money.
I used to say, “Offer me whatever you can.”
In my mind, the job mattered more than the pay. I believed if I worked hard, everything else would follow.
But it didn’t.
Because I didn’t value my work, others didn’t either.
And that decision kept me underpaid for years. I’m still paying the price for staying silent.
That’s why I’m writing this.
I don’t want you to make the same mistake.
When you receive an offer — that is your moment.
That is when you have power.
That is when the company is listening.
Once you join, things change.
They get busy.
Budgets get tight.
And suddenly, there’s “no right time” to talk about compensation.
speak up when it matters.
Ask for what you deserve.
Negotiate with confidence.
Value yourself — before expecting others to.
After years of struggle and staying silent about my worth, I finally learned how to negotiate my salary with confidence.
1. Never Be the First to Say a Number
Let them go first.
Say:
What range have you budgeted for this role?( this won't work in real life as company wouldn't provide the budget, give them a range between two numbers, don't just say 10 LPA, give them a range between 12 to 15 LPA as per market standards.
2. Act Like You Have Options (Even If You Don’t)
Confidence changes leverage.
You can say:
I’m in conversations with a few teams.
You don’t need details. Just signal demand.
3. Use Silence as a Weapon
After they give the offer, pause.
Count to 5 in your head.
Silence makes people uncomfortable — they often improve the offer.
4. Negotiate Total Package, Not Just Salary
When you've the offer, you can still negotiate, ask them the one time joining bonus and at this term, HR will agree because they don't want to ghost the candidate again for the same process and wait for 2 months or 3 months, you can win this race if you play well.
Rest options are valid but you can only go with 1 or 2, not every option you can carry.
If base salary is tight, ask for:
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Signing bonus
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Performance bonus
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Stock options
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Extra vacation
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Remote days
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Learning budget
Top performers negotiate the whole pie.
5. Ask for More Than You Want
If you want $100k, ask for $110k–$115k.
They expect negotiation.
Give room to win while you still win.
6. Use the “Future Value” Frame
Say:
Based on the impact I’ll deliver in the first 6–12 months, I believe X is fair.
Make it about results, not need.
7. Get Them Emotionally Invested First
Negotiate after they say they want you.
When they’ve chosen you, they don’t want to lose you.
This is the time you can win your game. make sure you prepare it well.
8. Use Data Calmly
Mention market data from sites like:
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Glassdoor
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Levels.fyi
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Payscale
Say:
Market data shows similar roles in this range…
Not aggressive. Just factual.
9. Use the Conditional Close.
Say:
If we can get to X, I’m ready to sign.
Give them ranges, this is where you can get few bucks increased.
This forces a decision.
10. Be Ready to Walk (This Is the Real Power)
The strongest negotiator is willing to say:
I appreciate the offer, but that doesn’t meet my target.
Most people fold. Top 1% don’t.
If this message resonates with you, follow and subscribe.
Let’s grow, earn, and stand up for our worth — together.
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