Salary Negotiation: How to Get What You're Worth

Why You Should Always Negotiate

Studies show that 70% of employers expect candidates to negotiate, yet fewer than 40% actually do. The cost of not negotiating compounds over your entire career — a $5,000 difference in starting salary can mean $150,000 less over 10 years when accounting for raises and future salary benchmarks.

Do Your Research First

Know your market value before any conversation. Use Glassdoor, Levels.fyi (for tech), LinkedIn Salary, and industry surveys. Come with a specific number backed by data, not a vague "I was hoping for more."

Let Them Go First

When possible, delay disclosing your salary expectations until you have an offer. "I'd love to understand the full scope of the role before discussing compensation" is a reasonable deflection. Once you have an offer, you negotiate from a position of power.

The Counter-Offer Technique

When you receive an offer, express enthusiasm first — you never want to seem ungrateful or combative. Then present your counter: "I'm really excited about this opportunity. Based on my research and experience, I was targeting [X]. Is there flexibility there?"

Negotiate the Full Package

If base salary is fixed, negotiate everything else: signing bonus, remote work flexibility, extra vacation days, professional development budget, equity, or an earlier performance review date. Total compensation is what matters.

The Silence Technique

After making your ask, stop talking. Silence creates pressure on the other party to fill the gap — often with a concession. This is one of the most powerful and underused negotiation tactics.