Compensation was higher, but to me there was much more, just as the employer/employee relationship is... much more.

Generally speaking, it "freaked me out" that this negotiation (happening at the very beginning of employment) would decide so many things going forward. The feeling of "this is my only chance" was weighing down on me.

In using this service:

- 10x both coached and represented me during the negotiations (reducing my stress)

- they (10x) validated that I was getting a good deal in terms of compensation

- it definitely changed the employer's perspective to see that I had an agent working on my behalf (they understood that I was taking this seriously)

- benefits-wise, I received a generous PTO offer and remote work options that suited my travel plans