As a new graduate, landing your first career job can feel like a dream come true.

It’s normal to feel a huge sense of relief as your months of job hunting comes to a close. However, this isn’t a time to lose your game face. In fact, many grads tend to skip over one of the most crucial parts of the recruitment process: the salary negotiation.

It’s not hard to see why – according to The Globe and Mail, university graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to find work in their field of study. It’s tough to stand out in an unforgiving job market, and most young workers aren’t exactly eager to switch gears and assert themselves in front of the hiring manager they worked so hard to impress.

The truth is, salary negotiations should be viewed as an extension of the hiring process. It’s an opportunity to further showcase your value as a professional to your employer.

It’s a chance to re-pitch yourself in a different context.

I know what you’re thinking: “I literally just finished doing that.” And you’re right – you worked hard to sell yourself as a professional and convince your employer to hire you. Why would you want to do it again?

At this point in the hiring process, the hiring manager has made their decision and is mentally invested in you to come aboard. They’ve invested a lot of money in selecting the right candidate, so it’s in their best interest to hear you out and make a deal with you. All you have to do is present a strong enough argument.

During your interview, you sold your qualities and skills. The salary negotiation is your chance to validate that.

By doing your research, putting together an argument, and presenting it, you can really drive home that they picked the right person for the job.

Know your worth.

When it comes to salary negotiation, one of the biggest deterrents for new grads is the idea that they don’t have any leverage. Most experienced professionals use their previous salaries as a benchmark for their negotiations – however, there’s more than one way to approach this.

In this Forbes article, New York Times best-selling author Ramit Sethi says the “briefcase technique” is a great option. This requires you to do extensive research on the company and identify three of its “pain points” in relation to your role.

Then, during the negotiation, produce an in-depth written analysis and a plan on how you will tackle these issues in 30, 60, and 90 days. By showcasing a high level of initiative and demonstrating your capability to create high-quality work, it should be made clear to your employer that you are worth the additional monetary investment.

It’s not all about the money.

These negotiations aren’t all about increasing your salary. In fact, when entering this discussion with your employer, make sure you’ve considered a number of different aspects of your job.

For example, some people negotiate for flexible working hours, expense accounts, vacation days, and more. To do this successfully, you should know the presented terms of your employment inside-out, and come prepared with a proposed “package.” While most hiring managers have room to budge when it comes to salaries, there are always a few who don’t, so this is a good alternative work-around.

While it may involve a lot of additional work, negotiating your first salary is a worthwhile investment. On one hand, it puts you in a better position to increase your salary over time (remember: raises are calculated based on your existing earnings), and on the other, it gives you a chance to impress your employer with your top skills and qualities.

So if you’re feeling bold and you’re ready to make an impression, go for it.

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