Resume & Job Search
How to Negotiate Salary
Most candidates leave money on the table simply by not negotiating at all -- here's how to do it professionally, with real phrasing.
Example: Countering an Initial Offer
"Thank you for the offer -- I'm genuinely excited about this role. Based on my research into the market rate for this position and my [specific relevant experience], I was hoping for something closer to $X. Is there flexibility on the base salary?" This is direct, appreciative, grounded in research (not just "I want more"), and asks a clear question rather than making a demand -- all of which keep the conversation collaborative rather than adversarial.
How to Prepare Before Negotiating
- Research the realistic market range for the role, level, and location beforehand -- don't negotiate from a guess
- Know your full walk-away point, not just your ideal number
- Consider the whole package -- base salary, bonus, equity, benefits -- not just the base number in isolation
- Get any verbal agreement confirmed in writing before treating it as final
Frequently Asked Questions
A professional, reasonable counter-offer very rarely results in an offer being withdrawn at a legitimate company -- negotiation is a completely normal, expected part of the hiring process. It's a real (though uncommon) risk only if the ask is wildly unreasonable or delivered with an ultimatum-style tone.
In many places this is now illegal for employers to ask, and even where it's legal, you're generally not obligated to answer -- you can redirect to the market range you're targeting for this specific role instead, which keeps the conversation focused on the new role's value rather than anchoring to your past pay.