Negotiate a Job Offer

Research your market comp, make the ask confidently, respond to pushback, negotiate beyond salary, and make your final decision.

Research Comp

• Pull compensation data from Levels.fyi (for tech), LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor, and Payscale — cross-reference at least 3 sources for your title, level, and location
• Calculate your total compensation target, not just base salary — include equity value, signing bonus, 401k match, health insurance quality, and bonus target
• Know your BATNA (best alternative to a negotiated agreement) — your current salary or competing offers set your true floor
• Identify the midpoint and top of the role's salary band if possible — recruiter salary surveys and job postings in states with pay transparency laws can reveal this

The Ask

• Never give the first number if you can avoid it — when asked your salary expectations, respond: 'I'm flexible; what's the budgeted range for this role?'
• If pressed for a number, anchor high — state a number at or above the top of your researched range, not the midpoint
• Always negotiate in writing via email after initial verbal discussions — creates a paper trail and gives both parties time to think clearly
• Sample script for countering: 'Thank you for the offer. Based on my research and experience, I was expecting something closer to $X. Is there flexibility to get there?'

Responding to Pushback

• If they say the budget is fixed, pivot to signing bonus: 'If base is capped, could we bridge the gap with a signing bonus?'
• If they say no to signing bonus, negotiate non-monetary terms: extra PTO days, remote work flexibility, earlier performance review, or accelerated equity vest
• Do not accept or decline on the spot — ask for 24–48 hours to review any offer before responding

Beyond Salary

• Negotiate start date: more time gives you leverage and allows you to wrap up current projects cleanly
• Negotiate title: a more senior title on a new contract costs the employer nothing and affects your comp ceiling at the next job
• Ask for the 401k match details, vesting schedule, and health insurance premium split before signing — these affect your real take-home compensation

Decision

• Get the final offer in writing before giving notice at your current job — verbal offers are not binding
• Once you've accepted, stop negotiating — renegotiating after acceptance damages trust before day one