Salary negotiation can feel like walking a tightrope—ask for too much, and you fear losing the offer; ask for too little, and you risk being underpaid. The truth? Most companies expect you to negotiate, and the ones who do usually end up with better paychecks. The key is knowing how to push back without making it awkward.
Let’s break it down so you can walk into your next negotiation with confidence.
Why Employers Lowball You (Even When They Can Offer More)
- They Assume You Won’t Negotiate – Many candidates just take the first offer. Don’t be that person.
- They Have a Budget, But It’s Flexible – Recruiters often have a salary range and start at the lower end.
- They Want to See If You’ll Speak Up – Employers value candidates who advocate for themselves.
- They Need to Keep Salaries in Check – Internal pay equity is a real concern, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for movement.
Salary Negotiation Moves That Actually Work
Do Your Homework First
- Use sites like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, Levels.fyi, and Payscale to see what others in your industry are making.
- When asked about expectations, say: “Based on market research and my skills, I was expecting something between $X–$Y.”
Never Reveal Your Current Salary
- If they ask, flip the script: “I’d prefer to focus on what’s fair for this role rather than my past salary.”
- Some places still insist—just restate your market research instead.
Always Counter (Even If the Offer Is Decent)
- Recruiters expect pushback. You don’t have to be aggressive—just confident.
- Try: “I really appreciate the offer! Given my experience and the industry standard, is there room to move closer to $X?”
Negotiate Beyond Just Salary
- If they won’t budge on pay, ask about: signing bonuses, stock options, remote work, extra PTO, or a better job title.
- Example: “I understand the base salary is firm—would you be open to a signing bonus or additional equity?”
Use Silence to Your Advantage
- After making your counter, stop talking. Let them process before jumping in.
- Silence makes people uncomfortable—and often works in your favor.
Make Them Justify Their Offer
- If you feel lowballed, ask: “Can you walk me through how this salary was determined?”
- This puts pressure on them to explain and may open the door for an increase.
Final Thoughts: If You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get
Salary negotiation doesn’t have to be stressful—it’s just a conversation. The worst that can happen? They say no. The best? You walk away with more money, better benefits, and a stronger position in your new role.
Next time you get an offer, don’t just accept it. Push back, ask for more, and know your worth.