💼 Jobs & Career
How to Negotiate Your Salary: A Step-by-Step Guide
58% of workers never negotiate their salary. That's money left on the table. Here's exactly how to ask for more.
Before You Negotiate
- Research market rate: Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Levels.fyi, Payscale
- Know your value: Quantify your achievements (numbers = leverage)
- Practice: Rehearse with a friend or mirror
Salary Negotiation Scripts
| Situation | What to Say |
|---|---|
| Job offer too low | "I'm excited about this role. Based on my research and experience, I was expecting closer to $X. Is there flexibility?" |
| Annual review | "I've exceeded my targets by 20% and taken on [project]. I'd like to discuss bringing my salary to $X." |
| Counter offer | "Thank you for the offer. I'd like to discuss [salary/benefits/PTO]. My research shows market rate is $X." |
What NOT to Say
- "I need more money because my rent went up" " — focus on value, not need
- "My coworker makes more" " — never use coworkers as leverage
- "I'll quit if I don't get more" " — threatening never works
- "I'll take whatever you offer" " — shows you don't know your worth
The negotiation trick: Always give a range, with your target in the middle. If you want $75K, say "I was hoping for something in the range of $70K to $80K." This anchors the negotiation and gives you room to settle at your actual target.
The bottom line: Negotiate every salary offer. Research shows negotiators earn $1M+ more over their career. Start with market research, give a range (target in the middle), and focus on value. The worst they can say is no " — and most employers expect it.