By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”
– Marilyn Monroe
I present to different networking groups in the US and Canada. On Wednesday, I presented a new topic–Onlyness, to PSG of Morris County. It’s a subject that, if you follow me, you know I have been driving home in my work for a few months. It’s based on my book, “Onlyness: The No BS Playbook for the AI Age.” It’s about 90 pages for Kindle or PDF and as an audio book. It was fun seeing the lights go on because it is a topic that transcends the usual material job hunters hear. Contact me if you want me to present it to your group.
The Onlyness Premium: Negotiating Executive Compensation Beyond Market Rates
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
In a standard executive search, salary negotiations are often a race to the “median.” Recruiters use benchmarking data to tell you what the role is worth, and most people fight for a 5% to 10% bump above that number. But for the professional or leader who has positioned themselves through Onlyness, market rates are merely a floor, not a ceiling.
If you have successfully convinced the board or hiring manager that you aren’t just the “best” candidate (I hate that word), but the only one capable of solving their specific strategic crisis, you have effectively exited the commodity labor market. Here is how to use that leverage to negotiate a premium that reflects your unique impact.
1. Reject the Benchmark Trap
The moment a recruiter says, “The market rate for this role is X,” they are trying to turn you into a replaceable unit of labor. Your response must immediately pivot back to the specific value of your Onlyness.
The Reframe: “I understand the general market data for a standard [Job Title]. However, we’ve spent our last few conversations discussing a very non-standard set of challenges, specifically [Pain Point A] and [Pain Point B]. My ability to solve those via my unique background in [Your Onlyness] isn’t a market-rate skill; it’s a strategic investment.”
The Logic: You are moving the conversation from cost (what they pay for a head) to value (what they gain from a solution).
2. Negotiate for “Value Created,” Not “Time Served”
Traditional candidates negotiate based on their previous salary or years of experience. An Onlyness-driven negotiation focuses on the delta—the measurable difference between the company’s current trajectory and the trajectory they’ll be on once you take the helm.
The Tactic: Use the “Outcome-Based Bonus” or “Performance Equity” model.
The Script: “Rather than focusing solely on base salary, let’s look at the $20M in operational efficiency we identified during the interview. I’m looking for a compensation structure that heavily weights the successful delivery of that outcome. If I deliver the ‘only’ solution to this problem, I expect the compensation to reflect a percentage of that captured value.”
The Result: This shows extreme confidence in your unique methodology and makes it difficult for them to say no, as they only pay the premium if you deliver the result.
3. Leverage the “Cost of Vacancy”
When a company is looking for a leader with Onlyness, they are usually in a state of urgency. Every day that role remains unfilled is costing them money, market share, or cultural stability.
The Move: Remind them, subtly, of the cost of starting over.
The Frame: “I know the board is eager to stabilize [Project X] by the end of the quarter. While we are apart on the numbers, I’m the only person who can step in on Day One without a six-month learning curve. If we can bridge this gap today, we can stop the current bleed immediately.”
The Insight: You are highlighting that the “discounted” candidate will actually cost them more in lost time and training than your premium salary will.
4. Expansion of the “Non-Monetary” Onlyness
Sometimes the budget for base salary is truly capped. In this case, use your Onlyness to negotiate for structural power and lifestyle assets that a traditional new hire wouldn’t even think to ask for.
Customized Governance: If your Onlyness is about speed, negotiate for a direct reporting line to the CEO or Board to bypass mid-level bureaucracy.
Intellectual Property/Side Ventures: Negotiate for the right to continue a specific board seat or external project that fuels your unique perspective.
The Logic: If they want your Onlyness, they have to protect the environment that created it.
The Bottom Line
Negotiation is the final test of whether you actually believe in your own distinction. If you fold and accept a “standard” offer, you are admitting you are a standard “applicant” (another word I hate).
Stand firm in the value of what only you can do. The premium isn’t an ego play. It’s the market’s way of validating that a category-of-one leader is worth more than a room full of “qualified” applicants.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2026
Last week, I released more new content including:
Is It OK to Remove an Employer From My Resume? #shorts
Excerpt: Someone left their own business to join a large firm, wants to leave it, and is wondering if they can bury the large firm on their resume.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/is-it-ok-to-remove-an-employer-from-my-resume-shorts/
Is Work Not Working?
Excerpt: Instead of talking to your spouse or partner, schedule a time with a career expert to navigate your transition without losing your mind or dignity. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/2026/03/01/is-work-not-working/
15 Realistic Career Resolutions That Stick Past March and Why They Work Excerpt: Most career resolutions fail because they are too ambitious or static. Learn how to set manageable, monthly goals that actually move your career forward.
Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/15-realistic-career-resolutions-that-stick-past-march-and-why-they-work/
The First 30 Seconds of an Interview (Updated/Reposted)
Excerpt: First impressions are critical. Jeff breaks down exactly what happens in the first 30 seconds of an interview and how to ensure you’re starting on the right foot. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-first-30-seconds-of-an-interview/
Jobs on the Rise According to LinkedIn in 2026 (Updated/Reposted)
Excerpt: LinkedIn’s latest data shows a massive shift in the most in-demand roles. Stay ahead of the curve by understanding where the market is moving. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobs-on-the-rise-according-to-linkedin-in-2026/
Would You Interview a Well-Dressed Person Who Did Not Have an Appointment? #shorts Excerpt: If a job seeker walked into your company dressed to impress with a résumé in hand, would someone meet with him or her on the spot? Jeff discusses the reality of “walk-in” networking in the modern era. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/would-you-interview-a-well-dressed-person-who-did-not-have-an-appointment-shorts/
The First 30 Seconds of an Interview (Updated/Reposted) Excerpt: Robert Herjavec has discussed how to stand out on Shark Tank; Jeff takes those principles and converts them to the world of job hunting to help you win from the start. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-first-30-seconds-of-an-interview/
Jobs on the Rise According to LinkedIn in 2026 (Updated/Reposted) Excerpt: Stay ahead of the curve by understanding where the market is moving. LinkedIn’s latest data shows a massive shift in the most in-demand roles for the coming year. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/jobs-on-the-rise-according-to-linkedin-in-2026/
Set Networking Goals #shorts (Updated/Reposted) Excerpt: Networking without a goal is just socializing. Jeff explains how to set specific, measurable networking targets to ensure your efforts lead to actual job leads. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/set-networking-goals-shorts/
The Old School Cover Letter Is Dead (Updated/Reposted) Excerpt: If you’re still using a standard cover letter, you’re wasting your time. Discover what has replaced the traditional letter and how to grab a recruiter’s attention in seconds. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-old-school-cover-letter-is-dead/
Crafting Your LinkedIn Mission Statement Excerpt: EP 3116 There is a LinkedIn opportunity most people miss. Link: https://youtu.be/no72a38QvOc
Be Careful Excerpt: Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter explains why you must be careful when a recruiter’s client reaches out to you directly or when you’re tempted to bypass the recruiter. There are professional risks to your reputation and your candidacy that you need to consider. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/be-careful/
Flip Your Job Search Excerpt: Most people approach the job search from a position of need. Jeff discusses how to “flip” that script to a position of value, changing the power dynamic between you and the employer. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/flip-your-job-search/
The Reality When You Job Search Excerpt: Searching for a job is often a series of “nos” punctuated by one “yes.” This post dives into the mental toughness required to handle the current market’s reality without burning out. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-reality-when-you-job-search/
How to Sell Your Story in Job Interviews (Not Your Skills) Excerpt: Skills are a commodity; your story is unique. Jeff explains how to stop reciting your resume and start telling a narrative that connects emotionally with the hiring manager. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-sell-your-story-in-job-interviews-not-your-skills/
How To Become More Disciplined– 8 Ways To Overcome Laziness And Procrastination Excerpt: A job search requires more discipline than the job itself. Jeff shares 8 actionable strategies to overcome the hurdles of procrastination and maintain a consistent daily routine. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/how-to-become-more-disciplined-8-ways-to-overcome-laziness-and-procrastination/
Title: Hiring Mistakes #shorts Excerpt: Pooja Agnihotri gives an accurate perspective on hiring. URL: https://thebiggamehunter.us/hiring-mistakes-no-bs-hiring-advice-shorts/
Title: There’s a Better Place to Apply Than Job Boards #shorts Excerpt: There’s a better place to apply for jobs than job boards. Let me explain where that is and why you should be doing it. URL: https://thebiggamehunter.us/theres-a-better-place-to-apply-than-job-boards-shorts/
Title: The Best of Recent YouTube Job Search Videos Excerpt: Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, shares a curated collection of his most recent job search videos to help you find your next role faster. URL: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-best-of-recent-youtube-job-search-videos/
Title: Build Your Referral Community
Excerpt: EP 3117 You must differentiate between your “network” (everyone you have ever met) and your “community” (the subset of people who share your interests and will actually step in to help you succeed). https://youtu.be/l34-abO_tlw
The Second Best Place to Build Your Personal Brand Excerpt: We all know the best place to build your brand online, but what’s the second-best place? It takes less time than the other one AND it’s easy and fun. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-second-best-place-to-build-your-personal-brand/
The “Onlyness” Factor: Bypassing the ATS with Strategic Distinction Excerpt: Stop trying to be the “best” and start being the “only.” Jeff explains how to identify your unique value proposition so clearly that you bypass automated filters and speak directly to the human decision-maker. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-onlyness-factor-bypassing-the-ats-with-strategic-distinction/
Do This and You Are 5 Times More Likely to Be Hired Excerpt: Most job seekers follow the same tired patterns. Jeff reveals the one specific strategic shift in your application process that statistically increases your hiring probability by 500%. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/do-this-and-you-are-5-times-more-likely-to-be-hired/
The Outreach Edge: Using “Onlyness” to Cut Through the Noise Excerpt: Cold outreach usually fails because it looks like spam. Learn how to leverage your “onlyness” to craft messages that hiring managers actually want to read and respond to. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-outreach-edge-using-onlyness-to-cut-through-the-noise/
The Final Interview with the CEO Excerpt: When you get to the CEO, the questions change from “Can you do the job?” to “Are you the right fit for the mission?” Jeff prepares you for the high-level psychological vetting that happens at the top. Link: https://thebiggamehunter.us/the-final-interview-with-the-ceo/
People hire me for No BS job search coaching because I make finding work much easier. I don’t write resumes. I leave it to people who are experts at that. I am someone who has helped tens of thousands of people actually find work.
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#BeGreat
Jeff Altman, MSW, CCTC
People Hire Me for No BS Job Search Coaching, Career Coaching and Career Advice Globally Because I Make Job Search Easier | I Help Executives Land When Others Can’t
