What Is Salary Negotiation?
Salary negotiation is the conversation between a candidate and employer about the terms of a job offer, including base salary, bonuses, equity, benefits, and other elements of total compensation. Research consistently shows that candidates who negotiate earn significantly more over their careers than those who accept the first offer. Yet many job seekers skip this step out of fear of seeming greedy or losing the offer.
When to Negotiate
The best time to negotiate is after you have received a written offer but before you have accepted it. This is when you have maximum leverage because the employer has already decided they want you. Avoid discussing specific salary numbers during the phone screen or early interviews if possible. If pressed, provide a range based on market research rather than a single figure.
How to Negotiate Effectively
- Research market rates using resources like Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, Payscale, and industry salary surveys so your ask is grounded in data.
- Let the employer make the first offer whenever possible. The first number anchors the entire negotiation.
- Negotiate the total package, not just base salary. Signing bonuses, equity, remote work flexibility, PTO, and professional development budgets are all on the table.
- Use collaborative language. Frame requests as "I was hoping we could explore..." rather than making demands.
- Get the final offer in writing before formally accepting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Accepting the first offer without any discussion leaves money on the table in the majority of cases. Threatening to walk away without a genuine alternative weakens your position. Negotiating over email when a phone call would be more effective can lead to miscommunication. Finally, never lie about a competing offer, as it can destroy trust and rescind the opportunity entirely.
