How to Negotiate Your Salary: Scripts That Work

You got the offer. Now negotiate. Most candidates leave 10–20% of their total compensation on the table by not negotiating or negotiating poorly.

The core principle

Negotiation is not confrontational — it's a collaborative process of finding a number that works for both sides. The company expects you to negotiate. Not negotiating signals you don't know your market value.

The script that works

When you get an offer verbally: "Thank you so much — I'm genuinely excited about this opportunity. I need a few days to review the full package. Can I get back to you by Thursday?"

When you counter: "I've reviewed the offer and I'm very excited to join. Based on my research and experience, I was expecting something closer to [X]. Is there flexibility there?"

What to negotiate beyond base salary

- Signing bonus (often easier than base)

- Equity cliff and vesting schedule

- Remote work flexibility

- Start date (more time = more leverage)

- Title (affects future offers significantly)

The silence rule

After you state your number, stop talking. The next person to speak loses negotiating position. Silence feels uncomfortable — that's the point.