Salary Negotiation

Prepare for salary negotiations with research-backed strategies, word-for-word scripts, and confidence-building frameworks. Most people leave $5-15K on the table by not negotiating.

Usage

Provide your current compensation, the offer details, your role/level, location, and any competing offers. The skill produces:

• Market Data Framework: How to research your market rate using multiple sources
• Negotiation Script: Word-for-word dialogue for the compensation conversation
• Counter-Offer Strategy: How much to counter and how to justify it
• Total Compensation Analysis: Base, bonus, equity, benefits, perks valuation
• Leverage Assessment: Your negotiating strengths and how to use them
• Walk-Away Point: When to accept and when to decline
• Alternative Asks: Non-salary items to negotiate (signing bonus, remote work, title, PTO)

Examples

1. New Job Offer: "I received an offer for $130K base + 10% bonus. My research shows the range is $135-155K. I have 8 years experience and one competing offer at $140K."

1. Annual Review: "Preparing for my annual review. Current salary: $95K, role: Senior Analyst, 3 years at company. Took on team lead responsibilities 6 months ago without a title change."

1. Startup Equity: "Offer includes $110K base + 0.1% equity (4-year vest). How do I evaluate the equity component? Company raised Series A at $50M valuation."

1. Promotion: "I'm being promoted from IC to manager. Current: $120K. They offered $130K. I think manager role warrants $145K+. How do I negotiate without seeming ungrateful?"

Guidelines

• Never give a number first — let the employer anchor, then negotiate up
• Always negotiate — 85% of employers expect it, and not negotiating signals weak advocacy skills
• Use collaborative framing: "I'm excited about this role. Can we discuss the compensation to make sure it works for both of us?"
• Negotiate on total compensation, not just base: signing bonus, equity acceleration, remote days, PTO, professional development budget
• If they can't move on salary, negotiate a 6-month review with defined promotion criteria
• Practice the conversation with a friend until you can deliver your ask without flinching
• Get the final offer in writing before accepting verbally