Many professionals find salary negotiations uncomfortable, often because they lack leverage or confidence. While platforms like Glassdoor provide salary data, they don’t offer a tangible way to use that information in negotiations. One way to address this gap could be a tool that generates realistic-looking job offer letters from hypothetical companies, giving users a way to simulate competitive offers without interviewing elsewhere.

How It Could Work

The tool could allow users to customize offer letters with details like job titles, salaries, and benefits, using industry-specific templates and salary data to ensure credibility. For example, a software engineer could generate an offer from a fictional tech company with compensation matching market rates. Key features might include:

• Customizable templates for different roles and industries.
• Integration with salary databases for realistic figures.
• Guidance on ethical negotiation tactics.

Unlike generic salary tools, this approach would provide a concrete, negotiation-ready document—something closer to a practice tool than a data dashboard.

Balancing Utility and Ethics

Since the tool involves creating simulated offers, safeguards could be built in to prevent misuse. For instance, generated offers might include disclaimers or watermarks to clarify they’re for benchmarking purposes. The focus could be on education—helping users understand their market value and practice negotiation scenarios—rather than deception.

Potential Path Forward

A simple starting point could be a web app offering basic templates for high-demand industries, with premium features like verified data or coaching added later. Early testing with professionals and HR teams could help refine the tool’s credibility and usability. Over time, integrations with platforms like LinkedIn or job boards might streamline the process further.

By framing the tool as a negotiation aid rather than a way to fabricate offers, it could provide value while minimizing ethical concerns. The key would be ensuring users and employers see it as a legitimate way to level the playing field in salary discussions.