You Must Be Your Own Super Agent

Profit
Apr 7
5 min read

Cartoon pic of Ari Gold. — Ari Gold realizes what's "Best for Business" for his clients are often at cross-purposes for their prospective employers. Click HERE to see what makes Ari Gold a force of nature.

"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate."

President John Kennedy

Negotiate Like a Super Agent

In today’s rapidly changing work culture, many traditional employees feel trapped in their roles, and are often reminded to be "lucky to have a job at all"! While the Employer Overlord still has an overwhelming negotiation advantage, there are steps you can take to better empower yourself to break your chains as a Wage Slave! You need to be your own Ari Gold! Ari Gold is a popular fictional character of the hit HBO series Entourage. For 8 seasons, super Hollywood agent, Ari Gold was ruthless in getting the best contracts, opportunities, and perks for his movie star client - Vincent Chase. Gold would stop at nothing and resort to aggressive - and often barely legal behavior - to ensure Chase's eccentricities were catered to by movie producers and financiers.

Certainly, you don't need to exhibit boorish behavior like Ari Gold to get what you want. However, you do need to exemplify Ari Gold's swagger, self-confidence, financial savvy, and (frankly) the balls to effectively advocate for yourself.

With the average tenure of the American worker spending only 4.1 years at each employer year and DECLINING, it is time to adopt the mindset of independent contractors to better leverage your deals with Corporate Overlords.

Caution: These Rules Don't Apply to Every Situation or to Every Worker

Negotiating without leverage is a fool's errand. If you are at the end of your unemployment claim or surviving off depleting savings or being primarily supported by a loved one that is not independently wealthy, don't try these "super agent strategies" at home, yet!

The Perfect Storm For Leverage in Negotiations

When as many of these below scenarios are concurrent for your situation, you have leverage to best advocate for yourself, such as when you have:

Gainful employment to cover living expenses, save 10%, invest 10%, and have a little discretionary income to be a consumer
Recurring income from additional revenue streams INDEPENDENT from your main employer - such as - rental incomes, stock dividends, annuities, trusts, etc.
Saved a year's worth emergency savings at minimum, and/or are supported by someone else as a legal dependent or domestic partner.
Good annual performance reviews.

Here are 4 proactive, actionable steps to help you embrace this mindset and take control of your career by negotiating like a champion.

Legal eagles are tough negotiators. — Don't be intimidated to negotiate salary, benefits, or perks with a prospective employer - its an accepted part of the game!

1) Never Accept the First Offer

When negotiating your salary or benefits, see the first offer as just a starting point. Studies show that 64% of individuals settle for the first offer, which can result in a loss of thousands over the years. (Per The Ladders.)

Not to mention, you may not be able to make up the lost wages through a great performance, as you can't guarantee that.

Also, raises are discretionary, so don't be your own worst enemy here.

Approach negotiations as a chance for dialogue rather than a final decision.

2) Give a Range with a 10% Low-End Figure & 20% High End Figure.

When discussing salary expectations, propose a range that starts 10% above your current salary - or 10% above the low-end of the salary range offered in the job advertisement.

If you currently earn $60,000, suggest a range of $66,000 (10%) to $72,000 (20%). According to research, candidates using this strategy often receive better offers because it encourages negotiation instead of limiting it. Moreover, you can often get a 20% raise in salary from your current job title on the open job market. When you are already gainfully employed, you have little to lose by asking for a cushier starting salary, especially if you are in the stated salary range listed in the job advertisement. Remember, you are not voluntarily leaving a somewhat comfortable and stable environment for a lateral move!

3) Ensure Compensation Clarity for Overtime

It is crucial to ensure that you are paid for your overtime. Many Wage Slaves cut lunch breaks short or routinely give their Employer Overlords free labor by staying a half hour or more late - without approved paid overtime - out of fear or manipulation. Did you know that non-exempt employees must be compensated at least time and a half for extra hours worked? Ergo, working a salaried job could cost you money if you are routinely working more than 40 hours - without commensurate overtime compensation. When unscrupulous companies bring you aboard via a salaried position, every hour you work past 40, lowers your hourly wage. Keep meticulous records of your hours, as many employees underestimate how much unpaid work they do. This vigilance helps you receive fair compensation.

4) Request a 3-Week Lead Time from Job Acceptance to Your Start Date

Make your work-life balance a priority by requesting at least three weeks’ lead time before you start a new job. Many employers frown on giving time off to new hires, especially while they are still on probation. This way, you can leave your current employer with the standard 2-weeks notice, if you choose, and have an extra week to complete lingering home, freelance, or side hustle projects. Alternatively, you can get caught up with long-overdue personal commitments like doctor visits or postponed family vacations to start your new gig unhurried, unpreoccupied, healthy, and fresh for your new Employer Overlord.

Conclusion - Don't Leave Money on the Table

If you negotiate a bad compensation deal, it could have disastrous ripple effects for your entire tenure with your new employer. You will likely cost yourself thousands of dollars per year! Even if you are a "star performer" and qualify for a 5% merit increase, it could take you 4 consecutive YEARS to reach the ideal 20% increase - that obtaining a new job on the open market could yield with sound negotiation. Worse, we all know the 5% annual raise carrot, is often dangled, but rarely achieved. Often, budget freezes, cronyism, and unrealistically high benchmarks limit most from earning the typical 5% maximum annual merit raise. Lastly, you will be resentful at your new Employer Overlord, if you feel they dictated all the terms and you simply went along for the ride - like a blind sheep. Don't dig yourself a financial hole that even being a "star performer" can't overcome!