Here's how you can prepare for salary negotiations in the cybersecurity industry.

When negotiating, ensure you are building value as a revenue enabler, not just an expert. Every organization is built on revenue. The closer you can tie yourself to that revenue, the greater your perceived value. When you have experience, certifications, education and a drive for enabling sales/revenue you will enter negotiations from a position of strength.

Knowing what you are worth not only gives you confidence in your application, but will also help you get the job you can be happy with. Nowadays, with the rise of social media, we tend to feel insecure. So when you do something you consider a success, write it down! It's a great technique for when you don't feel the confidence you need to remember your professional value.

Preparing for salary negotiations in the cybersecurity industry involves several steps: - Understand Industry Standards: Research the standard salary for your position, location, and experience. - Know Your Worth: Assess your skills, achievements, and the value you bring to the company. - Set a Target Salary Range: Based on your research, set a realistic salary range. - Prepare Your Case: List your accomplishments and reasons for the desired salary. Remember, negotiation is a normal part of the process, and being well-prepared can help you achieve a salary that reflects your value.

When determining your worth, figure out a range instead of a fixed number. This ensures you account for errors and also leaves room if the other side negotiates hard to bring the final offer down. As long as it is in your range, it should be acceptable to you.

When we are opting for a position we must be aware of the ranges in which the market moves, as it will be logical for us to move around them. Also explore which are the candidates that win at the limit. It may also help you to know which skills will help you get the highest possible salary. It is possible to find this kind of information on job portals. In addition, LinkedIn allows you to look at people in the job you are applying for to see what skills they have mastered.

Use multiple data sources such as: 1) glassdoor.com 2) salary.com 3) levels.fyi 4) Local job websites that show compensation ranges

We often focus on highlighting our roles on our CV and not our achievements. They don't necessarily have to be applicable to the job, sometimes they can even be achievements related to soft skills. That is why it is important to be aware of them and give them the value they deserve.

To show your value, highlight how you would benefit the company. This way the organization looks at the benefits it can receive and judge that it is worth paying you your worth. Focus on specific skills and experiences that set you apart. Don't forget to articulate soft skills.

Always have a plan and competing offers. This way you can find the best one, negotiate and try to raise the final offer to as close as possible to your worth.

I would suggest writing your pitch along with data points you have gathered in your market and role research. Include specific numbers and how you arrived at your worth. This shows confidence and that you have done your research.

Don't accept the first offer and always negotiate! This is the rule of thumb when it comes to negotiations. Worst case the other side says no, best case you get a bump in your offer. Either way you won't have regrets of not asking.

Don't be afraid to negotiate, don't be afraid to reject an offer that doesn't convince you. If you are clear about your value and you know that it is coherent and within the market references, politely argue why you think you deserve more than what you are being offered. And very important, never take the first offer, always negotiate!