Take a cue from Amy Schumer and ask for the salary you deserve.
According to a report by Variety, comedian Amy Schumer renegotiated her Netflix special salary after she learned what Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle were paid for their respective stand-up shows.
While the two men were each paid $20 million for their routines, Variety claims Schumer had been paid $9 million less for her “The Leather Special” special.
Upon learning this information, Schumer reportedly had her team go back to the negotiation table with the streaming channel and ask for more. As a result, she was able to significantly raise her payment.
While we might not be able to afford a team of professionals to negotiate on our behalf like Amy, it doesn't mean we can't learn a salary negotiation trick or two from her experience. Below are five tips to help you negotiate equal pay for equal work at your current job.
Salary Negotiation Tip #1: Do your research
If you're going to successfully negotiate a raise, you first need to gather all the facts. Use resources like Glassdoor, Salary.com, and PayScale to find out the going rate for your position in the job market, taking into account your location, the company size, and its industry.
Better yet, see if you can learn what others at your company are being paid to do the same or a similar job. If your employer is big enough, you may find salary information on Glassdoor for your specific company or its competitors. As Schumer learned firsthand, this inside knowledge can be powerful fodder when you're negotiating for more money.
Salary Negotiation Tip #2: Know how much you're worth
Pull out your brag book with a list of your recent contributions and accomplishments that quantify your value to the organization. If you're having trouble getting this list started, ask yourself the following questions:
- What do I bring to the table?
- What doesn't get accomplished if I take a week off of work? What would fall through the cracks?
- How have I been able to cut costs, increase revenue, make things run more efficiently, and so forth?
Schumer was tapped to tape the March special with Netflix after her recent rise in popularity, which many attribute in part to her Emmy win for Inside Amy Schumer and her starring role in the film “Trainwreck.”
Use these selling points to your advantage when you go to negotiate a better compensation package with your current boss.
Salary Negotiation Tip #3: Don't let emotion take over the conversation
It's hard to leave emotions at the door when you're negotiating. This can be an especially challenging salary negotiation tip for women to master. The most important thing to remember is that a successful negotiation requires both parties coming to a mutually-beneficial agreement. It's not about one person winning and the other losing. If you feel your emotions rising, hold off on negotiating until you can stay cool, calm, and collected. These will breed the fourth “C” — confidence!
Salary Negotiation Tip #4: Fake it till you make it
Confidence is a key component to becoming a strong negotiator. No matter how uncomfortable you feel about asking for more money, don't let it stop you from earning what you're worth. Exude confidence when you ask for what you deserve — and never apologize for asking.
Salary Negotiation Tip #5: Practice makes perfect
As with any skill, your salary negotiation skills will improve with more practice. Role play with a friend or in front of a mirror so you can practice exactly what you want to say and how you say it. Better yet, record yourself on your phone or computer while you practice so you can observe your body language. This is a great way to catch your nervous ticks and practice exuding confidence with your body language.
Click on the following link for more salary negotiation advice.
Recommended Reading:
- How to Build a Brag Book and Track Your Career Wins
- 5 Phrases You Should NEVER Use When Negotiating
- How to Get Past the Glass Ceiling at Work