Jasmine McCall's experience in 2020, where she negotiated a $54,000 sign-on bonus, a six-figure salary, and $100,000 in stock options with Amazon for a staffing manager role, serves as a powerful example. PayBump's CEO advocates for initiating salary conversations early in the interview process, emphasizing the potential benefits.
In an interview with CNBC Make It, Ms McCall shared how she successfully negotiated with Amazon. Though the company initially pushed back on her request, she demonstrated the financial impact of her departure. "Two days later, they told me they found the budget to give me the full $54,000 I had asked for," she said.
She also offered key salary negotiation tips for professionals:
- Highlight Your Value
Instead of just listing experience, McCall framed her achievements to showcase impact. "I reduced onboarding time by 30%, saving $500,000 annually, and led a team that generated $2 million in six months," she said.
- Keep Your Salary Confidential
McCall advises against disclosing your current salary on applications. "If asked, say it's confidential. When discussing salary expectations, emphasize that you need to understand the job's responsibilities first."
- Consider the Full Compensation Package
She didn't just focus on base pay but evaluated bonuses, stock options, relocation benefits, and performance incentives. "Smart negotiators look at the entire package," she explained.
- Research Industry Salaries
Before negotiating, McCall researched what professionals in similar roles were earning. "I aimed for the highest end of the range and structured my counteroffer accordingly."
- Stay Confident and Avoid Desperation
Although Amazon initially rejected her counteroffer, she stayed firm, reminded them of her value, and used silence strategically. She also mentioned having other offers. "Within 48 hours, Amazon came back with the full sign-on bonus and stock package," she revealed.
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