Know Your Number Before the Conversation
The most important preparation for a salary negotiation is knowing your target range before any conversation starts. Use industry salary surveys, LinkedIn Salary data, Glassdoor, and conversations with peers or recruiters in your field. Establish a range based on your specific role, experience level, geography, and the industry you are targeting — not just a general figure for your job title.
Let the Employer Make the First Offer When Possible
If asked for your salary expectations early in the process, it is reasonable to say you are still learning about the full scope of the role and would prefer to hear their range first. Many employers will provide a range at this point. This prevents you from anchoring below their budget or eliminating yourself unnecessarily by anchoring too high.
Anchor High Within a Realistic Range
When you do name a number, anchor at or slightly above the top of your research-based range. Negotiation almost always results in a number below what you asked for, so starting at your actual target typically results in settling below it. Starting above your target with a credible rationale gives you room to land where you want to be.
Negotiate the Full Package
Base salary is one component of total compensation. If the base is firm, there may be room to negotiate signing bonus, annual bonus target, vacation time, remote work flexibility, or professional development budget. Understanding the full package before evaluating the offer makes the negotiation more productive for both parties.
Be Professional, Not Adversarial
The best salary negotiations feel like a collaborative conversation, not a confrontation. Express genuine enthusiasm for the role, anchor your ask in market data rather than personal need, and give the employer a reasonable window to respond rather than demanding an immediate answer.