Are you walking into salary negotiations with confidence or leaving money on the table? If you’re not actively negotiating your compensation, you could be missing out on thousands—if not more—over the course of your career.

Here’s the truth: Successful salary negotiation is about strategy, preparation, and knowing your worth. The good news? You can start applying these tips right now to maximize your total compensation.

Here are five specific strategies to help you in your next negotiation:

• 1. Do Your Market Research: Before you step into any negotiation, arm yourself with data. Research the average salary for your role, industry, and location using sites like Glassdoor, Payscale, or industry reports. This way, you’ll know what’s reasonable—and what’s not.
• 2. Highlight Your Value: The negotiation isn’t just about what the company is willing to pay—it’s about what you bring to the table. Focus on your unique skills, accomplishments, and the results you’ve achieved. Show them why you’re worth the investment.
• 3. Don’t Focus Only on Base Salary: Total compensation includes more than just your paycheck. Negotiate for benefits, bonuses, stock options, vacation time, professional development opportunities, and more. These can add significant value to your overall package.
• 4. Let Them Make the First Offer: If possible, let the employer make the first move. This gives you insight into their budget and gives you room to negotiate upwards. If you must give a number, provide a salary range based on your research to avoid lowballing yourself.
• 5. Be Ready to Walk Away: It’s important to know your worth and stand by it. If the offer doesn’t meet your expectations or value, be prepared to decline and continue your search. Having this confidence will often make employers more flexible in meeting your demands.

So, what’s your take? Do you have any salary negotiation strategies that have worked well for you in the past? Share your tips or experiences in the comments below—let’s help each other secure the compensation we all deserve!