How should job seekers approach salary negotiations for a new role?
Job seekers often find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to negotiating offers, a moment that could define their career trajectory. Insights from a senior communications specialist and an executive coach shed light on this critical decision-making process. This article uncovers 12 invaluable pieces of advice, starting with the need to consider risks before negotiating and concluding with the importance of negotiating without fear. Join us as we explore expert opinions to empower your next career move.
Know your market value
Yes, you should absolutely negotiate a job offer. One key piece of advice for job seekers is to research and know your market value before entering negotiations. Understanding industry salary ranges, the specific value you bring to the role, and the company’s compensation trends empower you to advocate for yourself confidently. Approach the negotiation as a collaborative discussion, emphasizing how your skills and experience will contribute to the company’s success, while also ensuring your compensation reflects the value you bring. This balance of knowledge and communication sets the foundation for a favorable outcome.
Executive Coach, Holle Consulting
Research industry salary standards
In most cases, you should negotiate a job offer. Negotiating a job offer is a standard part of the hiring process and an essential step toward securing a compensation package that reflects your worth. Many candidates hesitate to negotiate out of fear or uncertainty, but it’s crucial to remember that employers often expect it. The only time I’d not negotiate is when you’ve been told at the start what the maximum salary is and you’re already at the top of that range.
Before entering negotiations, do your homework. Research industry salary standards for your role, considering factors like experience, location, and company size. Websites like Glassdoor, PayScale, and LinkedIn Salary can provide valuable insights. Some recruitment agencies publish salary surveys. You can try to find them by googling your role + location + salary survey to see if they are available.
When discussing your offer, be confident but respectful. Frame your negotiation in terms of value—highlight your skills, experience, and what you bring to the table. Instead of simply stating a desired salary, present a range based on your research and express your enthusiasm for the role and the organization.
Negotiation is a conversation, not a confrontation. Approach it collaboratively, and be open to other forms of compensation, such as bonuses, benefits, or flexible work arrangements. Remember, the goal is to find a solution that works for both you and your future employer.
Interview Coach and Talent Acquisition Manager, Mixmax
Negotiate with certainty
Most people will tell you to always negotiate a job offer, no matter your circumstances. But as a recruiter, I see it differently. Only negotiate if you’re clear that you wouldn’t accept the role without the change you’re asking for and if that change would significantly improve your satisfaction—whether it’s a higher salary, more flexibility, or better benefits.
When you negotiate from that place of certainty, you’re not just pushing for more for the sake of it. You’re aligning the offer with what you need to be happy in the role. This makes it more likely you’ll secure a package that meets your expectations, and you’ll be ready for any outcome—whether the company counters, stands firm, or you walk away. Having that clarity gives you the confidence to focus on what truly matters for your life and career, so you’re equipped to handle whatever happens next.
Founder, HR Consultant, and Recruiter, ByRecruiters
Set compensation expectations early
You should almost always negotiate a job offer to ensure you are not leaving anything on the table. Unfortunately, many people make a crucial mistake right away by not researching and establishing their compensation expectations before the initial HR or recruiter call.
On the first call, recruiters often ask about your compensation expectations. Set yourself up for successful negotiations from the beginning by thoroughly researching the current market value for the role, knowing the exact range you will give if needed, and ideally getting them to say their range first. When the recruiter asks for your salary expectations, respond with, “That’s a great question. I’m curious, what range do you have set aside for this role?” Most recruiters will then share the range, which puts you in a position of power because you can respond thoughtfully to actual numbers without the risk of sharing a range that is too high or too low.
By establishing the appropriate range from the beginning of the hiring process, you will give yourself significantly more leverage when the final negotiations come into play.
Executive Leadership and Career Coach, AMF Career Coaching & Consulting
Negotiate before accepting an offer
Absolutely, you should always negotiate a job offer. This holds true regardless of your gender, experience level, or the specific industry. Negotiation isn’t about being greedy or ungrateful; it’s about ensuring you’re being fairly compensated for your skills and value.
One piece of advice: Don’t wait to negotiate until after you’ve accepted the offer. It’s a misconception to believe that “once you get in,” you’ll be able to negotiate or that once you “prove yourself,” you’ll have more standing. Your leverage is highest before you’ve committed. Once you’ve said yes, it’s much harder to renegotiate. Also, you’ve already “proved yourself,” or they would not have made you an offer. It’s important to believe in your worth; don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.
CEO, Carol Parker Walsh Consulting Group
Adopt a curious mindset
Employers expect candidates to negotiate a job offer; it suggests self-confidence. I advise the candidate to respond to the offer with genuine curiosity, remaining emotionally detached.
I’ve offered positions to hundreds of employees at all levels. When a candidate pauses to negotiate a job offer, it captures my attention and elevates their value in my eyes. They have the confidence to know their worth.
Adopting a mindset of curiosity will allow you to uncover the company’s thinking, identify its actionable needs and constraints, and build trust.
Go slow and be curious:
- “You’re offering $X for the base salary...”
- “How does this offer compare to what you’ve provided to others in similar roles?”
- “How am I supposed to accept this offer when it’s below market rate for someone with my experience?”
- “So what you’re saying is that while the base salary is firm, there’s flexibility in other areas of compensation?”
Guide the conversation to a mutually beneficial outcome. Aim for win-win.
Executive Résumé Writer and Career Coach, MissFitChicago
Negotiate collectively when possible
One key piece of advice I’d share with a job seeker is: Never underestimate the power of collective leverage. Early in my career, I saw firsthand how an incoming group of analysts at my bank (who I happened to be friends with most of) were able to significantly improve their starting compensation by negotiating as a unit.
They realized that other firms in the industry were offering higher salaries for similar roles, and instead of accepting the initial offer, they approached the hiring team collectively. The result? An increase from $80K to $100K, plus the opportunity for an additional $10K in performance-based bonuses, just by showing that their value was aligned with market standards.
When negotiating, remember that you are bringing your skills, time, and energy to the table, all of which are valuable assets to any organization. Researching comparable salaries is critical, but don’t stop there. Know your worth beyond numbers. Consider your unique skills, the impact you can make, and how your potential employer can benefit from you.
If you can, connect with others in the industry to understand their experiences and leverage that collective insight to negotiate effectively. Whether it’s salary, bonuses, or even professional development opportunities, everything is negotiable when you know the market and advocate for yourself.
Negotiation isn’t just about getting the most money; it’s about ensuring that your compensation reflects your value. It also sets the tone for the respect you command in the workplace. If you start strong, you lay the foundation for how your contributions will be recognized moving forward.
Senior Business Analyst
Know your worth
“You don’t ask; you don’t get.” Those are words I live by, and I encourage my clients to do the same. Negotiating your salary is a personal choice, and I believe we should always be asking for what we’re worth. But here’s the thing: that starts with knowing what you’re worth. My advice? Don’t negotiate just for the sake of negotiating. Do your homework, know your market value, and use that knowledge to secure an offer that feels right to you and reflects your true worth. That’s how you walk away feeling confident and valued.
Career Coach and Founder, HireGlo
Negotiate for a win-win outcome
Should you negotiate a job offer? The short answer: Yes, but it depends.
First, ask yourself—are you happy with the offer? If it aligns with your goals, the compensation feels fair, and the role excites you, why negotiate just for the sake of it? Sometimes, accepting an offer as is can create a win-win situation, especially when you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity. If the offer is in line with what you need and want, there’s no harm in sharing that excitement and jumping right in. You’ll start the role on a positive note, and the company will feel validated in their decision.
But if you’re not entirely pleased—whether it’s the salary, benefits, or something else—it makes sense to negotiate. The critical piece is how you negotiate. Many people approach negotiations with a win-lose mentality, focusing only on getting what they want without considering the bigger picture. This approach can cause unnecessary tension before you’ve even started the job.
Successful negotiation comes from clarity not ego. It’s easy to get caught up in what you should be asking for, what the market says, or what others in similar roles are getting. But instead of focusing on external expectations, get clear on what you truly want. What aspects of the offer would genuinely excite you? What would make you feel valued and supported in your role? Once you identify those things, it’s important to frame your negotiation in a way that also highlights the value you’ll bring to the company.
If you ask for a higher salary, more flexibility, or additional benefits, make sure you can explain how those things will empower you to perform better and contribute more effectively. Show the company that meeting your needs isn’t just about you; it’s also about setting you up to bring your best self to the job. In other words, frame it as a win for them, too.
When you approach a negotiation with the goal of creating a win-win dynamic, you’re not just advocating for yourself—you’re building a partnership. You’re showing the company that you’ve thought about the bigger picture and how your success is tied to theirs.
So, yes, if the offer doesn’t fully meet your expectations, negotiate. But before you do, take the time to get clear on what you need and how that aligns with the company’s goals. When you can articulate that you’re not just negotiating; you’re setting the stage for a collaborative and rewarding relationship that benefits both sides. That’s what true success looks like.
Executive, Business and Leadership Coach, Alex Terranova Coaching
Focus on what’s important
You should (almost) always negotiate a job offer. Unless you are presented with exactly what you asked for and expected, which is rare, there is an opportunity to negotiate. Often, people are afraid to negotiate; however, in my 30 years of experience in HR and talent, I have never once revoked an offer or seen one revoked because someone negotiated. As a former chief people officer, I have a lot of respect for self-advocacy and view negotiations as just that.
My one piece of advice for job seekers looking to secure a favorable compensation package is this: Focus on what’s important to you. It may be the salary. It may be the benefits. It may be time off, equity, hours, location, the company, something else, or some combination of several of these. The compensation package includes most of these things, so know what’s important to you and negotiate there. What’s important to you may change over time. And there is no perfect company. So knowing what is most important to you in the compensation package before negotiating will put you in the strongest position to actually get what you want.
Founder and Chief People Officer, Tracie Sponenberg LLC
Show genuine interest first
Be sure to first show genuine interest in the company, the role, etc. Companies are just a group of individual people at the end of the day. And people want to be wanted. Let them know how much you value this opportunity first and foremost rather than indirectly conveying this is simply another “gig” for you and it’s all just about the money.
Once they feel your excitement for the actual opportunity and desire to work with their team, depending on various factors, it is often appropriate to explain that you were simply hoping for more money and ask if there is potential room in any of the components of the compensation package for an increase. Asking as a question rather than a demand might help preserve your options if they say no and you still want the job.
Of course, if you have some logic as to why you feel more money is appropriate, it can help (e.g., based on your experience, your past compensation levels, or maybe you are leaving an annual bonus behind if you leave your current employer midyear, etc.). Bottom line: Find a confident, yet respectful, even humble, way to ask.
Executive Coach, The Exco Group
Negotiate without fear
Why on earth not? If the interviewer is interested in you, this won’t make them think worse of you, and the worst they can do is say no or counter with an alternative.
People often forget that job interviews are a two-way process: The interviewer is looking for the best fit for the role. However, a job hunter is also looking to see if the company is a good fit for them!
If you’re working with a recruiter, be honest with them about your expectations, and keep in regular contact. As you proceed through the interview process, you gain more insight into the role and company, and this could potentially change your view on what you would need to consider accepting an offer. Be honest about this but not pushy.
Additionally, it helps to do your research, so you can gain a better understanding about a company and what they can reasonably offer. A small startup will not be in a position to offer the same benefits as a larger, more established organization.
However, the flip side of this could mean that you’re offered more flexibility and the ability to develop your role. Therefore, it helps to know where your preferences lie and what would be seen as a deal-breaker.
HR and Wellbeing Manager, Cezanne HR
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