Vent: Found a stupid simple trick for salary negotiations that actually worked

I was stuck at $52k for 2 years at my marketing job in Austin. Kept asking for raises the normal way, listing my accomplishments, and getting nowhere. Last month I just pulled up a screenshot of a job posting for my exact role at another company paying $68k and showed it to my boss. He matched it right there on the spot, no questions asked. Has anyone else tried showing hard evidence like that instead of just talking about your own work?

2 comments

2 Comments

emma_young2d ago

Got right to the point with that one. Hard evidence is tough to ignore because it removes all the guesswork from their side. They can't argue with a number from a real competitor's offer. Plus it shows you've done your homework and are ready to walk if needed. Did your boss react at all when you pulled that screenshot out?

wadepalmer1d ago

Respectfully, I gotta push back a little on this. That screenshot trick only works if your boss respects evidence over relationship, and a lot of managers will just see it as you being a pain or threatening to leave. I've seen people bring hard numbers to a negotiation and the boss just says "well thats a different role" or "theyre a different company." Its too easy for them to dismiss it because its not their exact hiring process. If you haven't built up any leverage through performance or tenure, that number just looks like a threat instead of a fact. Plus, it can kill your rep if word gets around that youre shopping offers.