How to Maximize Your Earnings: Tips from a Former Google Recruiter

Negotiating a higher salary or better benefits can significantly boost your career earnings, yet only 45% of U.S. workers take the initiative to negotiate when receiving an offer. Despite fears of rejection, the odds are favorable: 85% of those who negotiate get some of what they ask for, according to Nolan Church, a former recruiter for Google, DoorDash, and Carta.

Church, now CEO of the pay transparency platform FairComp, has hired over 2,000 employees and noticed that nearly half of the candidates he’s worked with never negotiated. To overcome common hesitations and build confidence, he recommends leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) as a preparation tool.

1. Research Your Market Value

Understanding your worth in the job market is the first step. AI tools like ChatGPT can streamline this process. Using prompts such as, “Give me the salary range for a [role] at [company] in [location]. Based on my LinkedIn profile, what salary should I target?” helps you gather tailored compensation data.

ChatGPT pulls data from sources like Glassdoor and even offers links for further exploration. To enhance accuracy, compare this information with insights from colleagues in similar roles.

2. Practice Negotiations with AI

Negotiating can be daunting, especially for those with limited experience. Church emphasizes that confidence comes from practice, and AI platforms provide a realistic simulation environment.

For instance, ChatGPT’s voice feature allows users to role-play negotiations. A sample prompt might be: “I received an offer from [company] for [role] at [salary]. I’d like to practice negotiating. Can you simulate the conversation and provide feedback?”

The AI replicates realistic pushback, asking you to justify your request with data, mirroring real-life scenarios. After the session, it offers actionable feedback to refine your approach. Spending just 15 minutes a day for three to four days can prepare you to secure thousands more in annual compensation.

3. Explore Non-Salary Benefits

Negotiation isn’t just about base pay. Use AI to identify additional perks to negotiate, such as bonuses, equity, flexible work arrangements, or professional development opportunities. Try prompts like:

• “What benefits should I prioritize besides salary?”
• “How do I calculate the total value of a compensation package, including equity and bonuses?”

4. Evaluate Career Growth Opportunities

Ensuring a role supports your long-term career goals is crucial. Ask AI for guidance on exploring advancement opportunities with prompts like: “What questions can I ask about promotions or career development during negotiations?”

Tips for Effective Prompt Engineering

Church notes that success with AI comes from persistence. Adjust and refine your prompts to get better, more personalized responses. For example, ask about specific industries or tailor queries to the company’s known policies or market reputation.

Why AI Is a Game-Changer

While AI simulations lack full context—such as your interview performance or the company’s hiring urgency—they provide a low-pressure environment to practice and improve. Church asserts, “A cumulative hour of practice could be worth thousands of dollars in annual salary.”

Take the Leap

Negotiating doesn’t have to be intimidating. With preparation tools like AI, you can approach conversations with confidence, stack the deck in your favor, and secure a compensation package that truly reflects your value.