In 12 years, she increased her annual income from $46,000 to $400,000—her top advice for negotiating your salary.

Sora Lee, despite earning a substantial $400,000 salary, is aware of the importance of beginning small.

In 2011, Lee received a $46,000 compensation package from TubeMogul, a startup, upon graduating from college.

The 34-year-old, who has had several job changes and has been with TikTok for over a decade, is now the global head of product marketing with a $320,000 base salary and $80,000 in restricted stock unit grants in 2024.

She had previously worked at Netflix and Meta, where she successfully negotiated substantial salary increases before joining TikTok.

She has employed three strategies to achieve career success, including her top tactic for negotiating salary when accepting a new job.

1. Be ready to negotiate

Like many career experts, Lee advises preparing to negotiate when anticipating a job offer. Her top negotiation tip is to always have a counteroffer ready.

During her interview at Netflix, Lee was presented with a job offer from another company.

""I had confidence in my decision to join Netflix because I knew that if it didn't work out, I would still receive double my compensation, which was about $80,000 at the other company," she says."

She was confident enough to request $90,000 from Netflix, knowing she had another offer that was nearly as good. Netflix ultimately offered her $110,000.

2. Work at a restaurant

Lee got some of her earliest career experience working in a restaurant.

"She recommends that everyone should work as a server at a busy restaurant at least once in their life, especially at an early age, because it teaches you about reading people and servicing people. She highly values any candidate who has worked in the restaurant business."

To enhance productivity, Lee suggests considering "operational efficiency" when employees handle multiple tasks such as taking orders, serving food, and clearing tables.

She states that you always bring something with you when entering the hall and that you never return to the kitchen without bringing dirty dishes.

3. 'Make your own dream job'

"Creating your own dream job is often the only way to find it," Lee remarks.

In college, Lee had no idea she would end up in the tech industry or the types of jobs she could do. She admits that she "kind of fell into" the field. Lee believes that it's challenging to envision a career path that you've never experienced or been exposed to.

At the University of California, Berkeley, she seized the opportunity to secure internships at tech startups such as TubeMogul, thanks to the campus' proximity to Silicon Valley.

Not only does she earn a good salary, but she also derives satisfaction and pride from her career by collaborating with intelligent and esteemed leaders in the corporate world. She attained this by identifying tasks she enjoys and individuals she relishes working with, and subsequently utilizing those abilities and connections to secure her next job opportunity.

You may not get the job you believe is ideal for you, but Lee suggests exploring other positions at the same company or within the same industry as a stepping stone to your ultimate goal.

""Starting with a less desirable role or position may be necessary to gain entry into a company, but it's important to remember that you can eventually move to a more suitable team or one that aligns with your career goals after a period of time," Lee advises."

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