Negotiating Salary

Negotiating salary can feel intimidating—especially early in your career—but it’s a normal and expected part of the hiring process. Here’s a practical playbook that works even if you don’t have tons of experience yet.

1. Do your homework (this is your power)

Before you talk numbers, know the market range.

  • Look up the role on sites like Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, Payscale, or LinkedIn Salary
  • Search job title + location + “entry-level” or “new grad”
  • Talk to friends, alumni, or mentors if you can

Goal: Have a realistic range, not a single number
Example: “$60k–$68k based on market data”

2. Don’t give the first number (if you can avoid it)

If asked early: “What are your salary expectations?”

You can say:

“I’m flexible and more focused on finding the right fit. I’d love to learn the range you’ve budgeted for this role.”

If they push, give a range, not a point:

“Based on my research, roles like this typically fall between $X and $Y.”

3. Anchor with value, not vibes

Gen Z advantage: you often bring skills companies want right now.

Mention things like:

  • Technical skills (tools, software, coding, data, design)
  • Internships, freelance work, or side projects
  • Speed of learning, adaptability, or real results you’ve delivered

Frame it like:

“Given my experience with ___ and the impact I had doing ___, I believe a salary closer to $X is fair.”

4. Negotiate after the offer, not before

The strongest moment to negotiate is after they say they want you.

When you get the offer:

  • Thank them
  • Ask for time (24–48 hours is normal)
  • Then respond thoughtfully

Example:

“I’m really excited about the offer. Based on my research and the responsibilities of the role, I was hoping we could discuss a salary closer to $X. Is there flexibility there?”

5. Look beyond base salary

If they say no to more money, ask about:

  • Signing bonus
  • Performance review timeline (e.g., raise after 6 months)
  • Remote/hybrid flexibility
  • Learning budget or certifications
  • Extra PTO

Sometimes these are easier for companies to approve than salary.

6. Be confident—but respectful

You’re not being “difficult.” You’re being professional.

Avoid:

  • Apologizing for asking
  • Saying “I really need this money”
  • Comparing yourself to coworkers

Use calm, collaborative language:

“I want to make sure this works well for both of us.”

7. Practice out loud (seriously)

Say your negotiation lines out loud or practice with a friend. Confidence improves fast with repetition.

8. Know when to say yes

If:

  • The offer is within market range
  • The role has strong growth or learning potential
  • You don’t have leverage yet

…it’s okay to accept and plan to renegotiate later.