How to Negotiate Your Salary (Without Losing the Offer)

Know your number before you talk

Research the typical range for the role, your experience level, and your location. Look at multiple sources and job ads for similar positions. Decide on three figures: your ideal, your target, and the lowest you would accept. Negotiating without data is guessing.

Let them name a number first if you can

If asked your expectations early, it is fine to give a researched range and add that you are flexible for the right role. Once a formal offer is on the table, you are in a much stronger position — they have chosen you and want to close the deal.

How to make the counter

Be warm, specific, and brief. Thank them, express genuine enthusiasm, then state your number with a short justification based on your value and the market — not your personal expenses.

Thank you so much for the offer — I'm really excited about the role and the team.

Based on my experience with [relevant skill/achievement] and what I'm seeing for similar roles in [location/industry], I was hoping we could get to [your target number]. Is there flexibility to make that work?

Remember the whole package

• Base salary is only one part — consider bonus, equity, and superannuation or pension.
• Flexible or remote work has real financial value.
• Extra leave, a learning budget, or a title change can be easier for them to grant than cash.
• A signing bonus can bridge a gap when the base is capped.

Handle the response gracefully

If they say yes, get the final offer in writing before you resign anywhere. If they cannot move on base, ask what else is possible. If it is a firm no, you can still accept warmly — you have lost nothing by asking, and you have shown you know your worth.