No matter what the generation, every son needs a go-to financial adviser. Allow me to introduce you to my father: a man who guided me through my finances from an early age and helped set me on the path toward a secure future. In this post, I’ll share his advice for salary negotiations and how it can help new grads and seasoned professionals alike get more from their careers.

More Than Just an Order

When I was young, my Dad used to give me an allowance. Every two weeks, I would receive a crisp $10 bill in my hand and the words “go spend your allowance,” followed by a fist bump. In my eyes, this was more than just money. It was the seed of independence.

Speaking of independence, that’s what my Dad wanted to instill in me, and it’s the same message I want to pass on to my kids.

Never Stop Growing

When I was 18 years old, I talked to my Dad about the salary I thought I deserved. The salary was more than fair, but Dad surprised me and told me to forget about it. “Don’t worry about that right now,” he said. “I know you’re only 18, and you don’t know the right way to negotiate salary, but trust me. You will be in a very good place someday.

It’s All About Value

I didn’t know how to negotiate a salary, but I was young and eager to learn. So Dad and I met in a café, and he explained how the market works by telling me a story.

He told me that everyone thought he was successful when he was young. They thought his company was prosperous because his name came up more than once a week on the business news channels.

When you’re negotiating for a salary, it’s important to remember that it’s not about the number; it’s about the value you bring to an organization. Only seek a salary that reflects that value