The Art of Salary Negotiation

The relief of receiving a job offer is often short-lived. What follows is what Senior Forbes Contributor contributor Jack Kelly ornately describes as “the delicate dance of salary negotiation” [1]. For many professionals, this final hurdle proves as nerve-wracking as the interview process itself, filled with concerns about appearing greedy or jeopardising the opportunity altogether.

Indeed, research shows that 55% of professionals accept initial job offers without negotiating, whilst nearly 78% of those who do negotiate end up with higher salaries [2]. And it’s not just a short-term gain. Negotiating just £5,000 more on a starting salary, with average annual raises of 5%, translates to an extra £27,500 over five years [3]. Since future employers often base offers partly on current salary, a successful negotiation can significantly boost earnings throughout an entire career [4].

The tension candidates face is whether to push too hard and risk being perceived as greedy or settle for less and face future regret. But with the right preparation and approach, securing fair compensation needn’t damage relationships or opportunities.

Reframing the Conversation

“Why are you thinking of a negotiation as a conflict?” asks Linda Babcock, economics professor at Carnegie Mellon University and author of Ask for It [5]. She emphasises that negotiations should be conversations, not confrontations. When done properly, both parties achieve their objectives. Employees receive fair compensation, whilst employers retain quality talent who aren’t spending half the day updating their CVs [6].

This collaborative mindset matters particularly in corporate environments. As Max, a contributor to the Financial Times’ ‘Working It’ podcast, makes the case, “It wasn’t my boss’s money. It wasn’t her that was paying me directly. So it’s about how do you build a convincing argument that it makes sense for the business to give me a pay rise” [7]. Understanding that you’re ultimately making a business case to people further up the chain can remove emotion from the equation and focus the conversation on rational justifications.

The cultural context matters too. Just as haggling is expected when buying cars or houses, salary negotiation should be viewed as a standard practice. If an employer has reached the stage of making an offer, they want you to accept. The costs of hiring new employees are substantial, and negotiating for your salary shouldn’t change their decision.

Doing your Homework

Effective negotiation begins long before any conversation takes place. Researching industry-specific salary ranges, accounting for factors such as location, company size, and personal experience, provides a solid foundation for establishing reasonable compensation expectations. Resources like Glassdoor offer valuable data for understanding market rates [8].

Here, again, Max provides a great example. He approached his negotiation by speaking with multiple recruiters and getting a feel for the market. “The strategy I took was to speak to a number of different people and get what I thought was a sensible benchmark for what I actually thought was my job versus what they thought my job was,” he explains [9]. This research allowed him to make two compelling arguments. First, that the company’s benchmark was outdated based on current market rates. Second, given his strong performance over three years, he should be positioned at the higher end of whatever new benchmark was established [10].

Gillian Ku of London Business School also emphasises the importance of comprehensive information gathering. “Arm yourself with information,” she says. “In salary negotiations, think about what you are worth. This means knowing what those in your position (internally and externally) are paid” [11]. Online salary surveys prove helpful, but conversations with friends, mentors, and contacts comfortable sharing information can be equally valuable.

At an absolute minimum, Forbes’ Caroline Castrillon makes the case that it’s vital to establish three key figures. Your ideal number (the salary you’d be excited to receive based on research and qualifications), your target number (a realistic figure slightly above expectations, allowing negotiation room), and your walk-away number (the absolute minimum acceptable based on financial needs and the position’s career value) [12].

Comprehensive Compensation

Whilst salary often dominates discussions, savvy negotiators understand that compensation extends far beyond base pay. Health benefits packages, corporate titles, bonus structures (preferably documented in writing), retirement plans, stock options, and increasingly, remote or hybrid work arrangements all contribute to overall job satisfaction and work-life balance.

For those working in countries in which they may be leaving money behind at current employers — unvested equity grants, stock options, unvested 401(k) contributions, or tuition reimbursement funds requiring repayment — these amounts provide realistic starting points for sign-on bonus requests [13].

For others, simply asking “Is a sign-on bonus available?” and letting the employer name a figure first can prove effective. If pressed for specifics, requesting 10-15% of base salary provides a reasonable starting position [14].

Worth noting is that companies often demonstrate more flexibility with one-time payments like signing bonuses than with permanent salary increases. Similarly, additional equity grants may be easier to secure than higher base pay if budgets are constrained. The key is understanding where flexibility exists and where ironclad constraints like salary caps leave no room for negotiation [15].

Cynthia Saunders-Cheatham of Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management advises considering vacation time, relocation packages, start dates, and training opportunities [16]. In some cases, negotiating a six-month performance appraisal rather than the typical annual review can create an opportunity for salary increases sooner [17].

Strategic Timing

The timing of negotiations matters considerably. Generally speaking, it’s best to let the employer raise compensation first. Discussing salary too early signals that money is your primary concern rather than the role itself. The ideal moment to negotiate arrives after receiving a formal offer but before accepting it.

When multiple interviews are in progress, consider timing carefully. Having competing offers provides extra bargaining power and demonstrates how in-demand you are. The New York Times spoke to one data analyst who used this strategy effectively, asking her top-choice company for a week to decide whilst awaiting a competitor’s offer. During that time, she requested additional perks never previously considered, including restricted stock units, ultimately receiving £15,400 worth of equity and complete schedule flexibility [18].

When presenting your case, try to frame requests positively. Express genuine enthusiasm for the role and company before discussing compensation, establishing a collaborative tone. Rather than simply stating desired figures, it’s important to explain precisely why they’re justified, such as the reasons you deserve more than others hired, or why specific arrangements suit both parties.

As Deepak Malhotra of Harvard Business School advises: “Never let your proposal speak for itself — always tell the story that goes with it” [19]. If you have no justification for a demand, making it may prove unwise. The inherent tension between likability and demonstrating value requires careful management. Suggesting exceptional value can sound arrogant without thoughtful communication.

Gender Dynamics

Unfortunately, negotiation carries gendered implications requiring careful navigation. Babcock’s research demonstrates that both men and women penalise female employees when they initiate salary negotiations [20]. A 2007 study published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision showed this pattern consistently across genders [21].

“The style that a woman uses to negotiate can backfire and can create backlash, but using a cooperative style can get you what you want and help you avoid the backlash,” Babcock explains [22]. Meanwhile, paying close attention to body language during negotiations is vital so you can gauge reactions in real time. If your manager’s posture changes, tune in and adjust accordingly [24].

Difficult Moments

Preparation for tough questions is also essential. Common challenges include: “Do you have any other offers?” “If we make you an offer tomorrow, will you say yes?” “Are we your top choice?” [25] Being unprepared risks evasive or untruthful responses. Malhotra’s categorical advice is to never lie in a negotiation. It frequently comes back to bite you, and even if it doesn’t, it’s unethical [26].

When Things Don’t Go to Plan

If employers resist counteroffers, Castrillon recommends avoiding immediate concession. Instead, ask questions to understand constraints and explore creative solutions. You might say: “I understand there may be budget considerations. Could we discuss a performance review after six months with potential for adjustment based on results? Or are there other elements of the compensation package we could explore?” [28]

She also suggests one should never apologise for discussing higher salary; negotiation is standard practice employers expect [29]. Nor should one reveal their current salary; it’s irrelevant to market value for the new position. Keep discussions professional rather than personal, focusing on professional value and market rates, not personal financial needs. And be sure to maintain a collaborative tone throughout. After all, how you negotiate can be as important as what you negotiate. As Babcock reminds us: “There’s no cost to being gracious, and if you’re colleagues, you’re in a long-term relationship with this person” [31].

Kim Churches, chief executive of the American Association of University Women, advises employees to “listen to your gut on how much you can go back and forth, then make some decisions. It takes two parties to negotiate” [30]. If the other party shows no interest in continuing dialogue, determine how to move forward. You can attempt one final effort or begin to look elsewhere for employment.

The Long Game

Remember that what’s not negotiable today may become negotiable tomorrow. Over time, interests and constraints change. When someone says no, they’re saying “no, given how I see the world today.” A month later, circumstances may shift. A boss denying requests to work from home on Fridays may lack flexibility on the issue, or you may not yet have built sufficient trust for that arrangement. Six months in, you’ll likely be better positioned to demonstrate you’ll work conscientiously away from the office, or that you deserve that extra zero on your paycheck.