How to negotiate a salary offer, step by step
- Thank them and show you want the job. Negotiating is normal; it does not mean you are ungrateful. Starting warm keeps it a conversation, not a standoff.
- Give one reason. What similar roles pay, a competing offer, or a role that is bigger than advertised. One solid reason beats three weak ones.
- Say one number, then stop. This is your anchor line. Not a range, not “around”, and nothing after it. The silence that follows is uncomfortable for both sides; let them break it.
- Have a second ask ready. If the base salary is fixed, a signing bonus, a review date or extra time off may not be.
- Get it in writing. A verbal “we can do that” is not an offer until it is in the updated letter.
The anchor line: why one number
The first concrete number in a negotiation tends to frame the rest of it, which is why the script asks for a specific figure rather than a range. If you say “somewhere between 90 and 100”, you have just agreed to 90. That is also why the tool can add a small buffer, about 5% above your target and rounded: if they meet you halfway, you still end up near the number you wanted. Switch it off if you would rather ask for your exact target.
A number on its own is easy to say no to; a number with a reason is harder. “I have looked at what similar roles pay, and I have weighed that against what I would bring. Based on that, I am looking for 98,000” is calm, specific and hard to argue with.
Salary negotiation script example
“Thank you again for the offer, Dana. I am really excited about the Product Designer role and about joining Contoso.
From our conversations, the role covers more than the original job description, including the design system work, and my experience means I can take that on from day one.
Based on that, I am looking for a base salary of 98,000.”
(Silence.)
“I understand. If the base salary is fixed, could we look at a signing bonus or a salary review after six months?”
Salary negotiation email and counter offer email
Phone or video is better for the negotiation itself: tone carries, and it is harder to say no to someone you are talking to. Email works when the offer arrived by email, when you need time to word things carefully, or when you are confirming what was said on a call. The email version above follows the same structure: thanks, one reason, one number, a second ask, and a friendly close. Keep it under 200 words and send it from your own email.
Salary expectations answer, before there is an offer
Recruiters often ask “What are your salary expectations?” in the first call. You can ask for the budgeted range first, but if they insist, give a range whose bottom is your real target. The tool writes that answer for you, ending with a question about their range so the conversation flows both ways. For the rest of that first call, see our guide to phone and video interviews.
Where to find your number
This page has no salary data, on purpose: pay depends on country, city, sector and seniority, and a number from a generic table can do more harm than good. Build your target from job posts that publish pay ranges (some places require them by law), salary surveys from your industry, and conversations with people who do the job. If you have a competing offer, its written terms are your strongest evidence.
Mistakes to avoid
- Apologising for asking. “Sorry, I know this is a lot, but…” lowers your number before you say it.
- Talking after your anchor line. Every word you add is usually a discount.
- Bluffing about another offer. If they call it, you have nothing left to negotiate with.
- Accepting on the spot when you are unsure. “Can I come back to you by tomorrow?” is a normal answer.
- Negotiating by text message or chat. Use a call or a proper email.
Rehearse it out loud at least twice with the timer: the anchor line should come out in one breath, without “um” in front of it.
Keep practising
Frequently asked questions
Is it OK to negotiate a job offer?
Yes. Negotiating politely is a normal part of hiring, and recruiters expect many candidates to ask. The usual worst case is a polite “this is our best offer”, after which you can still accept.
How much more should I ask for?
It depends on your evidence, not on a fixed percentage. Start from what the role pays in your market and what you bring, set your target, and ask for a number slightly above it. This tool can add about 5% as a buffer; that is a choice you can switch off, not a rule.
Should I negotiate by phone or by email?
Phone or video is usually better for the conversation itself, and email for confirming it or when the offer came by email. This tool writes both, with the same structure and the same number.
What if they say the salary is not negotiable?
Thank them and move to your second ask: a signing bonus, equity, extra time off, more remote days, a later start date or a salary review after six months. Pick the one or two that matter most to you.
How do I answer “What are your salary expectations?” before an offer?
Ask for the budgeted range if you can. If they want your number, give a range whose bottom is your real target, mention you are open to the whole package, and ask about their range.
Where does the tool get salary figures?
It does not have any. You enter the offer and your target; the tool only writes the words around your numbers. Check your target against job posts with pay ranges, salary surveys and people in the role.
Does it save my numbers?
No. Everything runs in your browser, with no account, and nothing is saved or sent. Close the page and it is gone.
