salary-negotiation-prep skill

---
name: Salary Negotiation Prep
description: Research market rates, build negotiation strategy, and create counter-offer scripts
---

# Salary Negotiation Prep

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when the user wants to:
- Negotiate a job offer or salary
- Research market rates for their role
- Create a counter-offer strategy
- Understand total compensation packages
- Mentions: "salary negotiation", "negotiate offer", "counter offer", "compensation", "how much should I ask for"

## Core Capabilities

- Research and validate market compensation
- Build negotiation strategy and scripts
- Calculate total compensation (not just base salary)
- Prepare counter-offer responses
- Identify negotiation leverage points
- Navigate difficult salary conversations

## The Negotiation Mindset

**Key Principles:**
1. Negotiation is expected - companies budget for it
2. 84% of employers expect candidates to negotiate
3. Not negotiating leaves $500K-$1M on the table over a career
4. The goal is win-win, not adversarial

**What You're Really Negotiating:**
- Base salary
- Signing bonus
- Annual bonus/commission
- Equity (stock options, RSUs)
- Benefits (401k match, insurance)
- Perks (vacation, remote work, professional development)
- Start date
- Title

## Research Phase

### Step 1: Determine Market Rate

**Sources to Check:**
- Levels.fyi (best for tech)
- Glassdoor (general, take with grain of salt)
- LinkedIn Salary
- Blind (anonymous reports)
- PayScale
- Salary.com
- H1B salary data (publicly available)

**Build a Range:**
```
Low (25th percentile): $XXX,XXX
Target (50th percentile): $XXX,XXX  
High (75th percentile): $XXX,XXX
Stretch (90th percentile): $XXX,XXX
```

### Step 2: Know Your Value

**Factors That Increase Your Worth:**
- Years of relevant experience
- Specialized/rare skills
- Track record of results
- In-demand certifications
- Current competing offers
- Referral from employee
- Market demand in your field

**Factors That May Limit:**
- Entry level or career change
- Less experience than ideal candidate
- Gaps in required skills
- Location arbitrage (lower cost of living)

### Step 3: Calculate Total Compensation

**Total Comp = Base + Bonus + Equity + Benefits**

```
EXAMPLE:
Base Salary: $150,000
Target Bonus (15%): $22,500
RSU Grant (4-year): $200,000 ($50,000/year)
401k Match (4%): $6,000
Benefits Value: ~$15,000

Total Annual Comp: $243,500
```

**Common Equity Terms:**
- **RSUs:** Restricted Stock Units (real shares, taxed when vesting)
- **Options:** Right to buy at strike price (value = current price - strike price)
- **Vesting:** Typically 4-year with 1-year cliff
- **Refresh grants:** Annual additional equity grants

## Negotiation Strategy

### When to Negotiate

**Best Time:** After you have a written offer, before you sign

**Timeline:**
1. Receive verbal offer → Express enthusiasm, ask for written offer
2. Receive written offer → Thank them, ask for time to review
3. Research and prepare → 24-48 hours
4. Counter with ask → Email or call
5. Discussion/back and forth → May take several rounds
6. Final agreement → Get in writing

### The Counter-Offer Framework

**Structure:**
1. Express enthusiasm
2. Reinforce your value
3. Make specific ask
4. Provide justification
5. Open discussion

### Counter-Offer Email Template

```
Subject: [Your Name] - Offer Discussion

Hi [Recruiter/Hiring Manager],

Thank you so much for the offer to join [Company] as [Title]. I'm very excited about the opportunity to [specific thing about the role]. After speaking with the team and learning more about [something specific], I'm confident this is the right fit.

I've had time to review the offer details and wanted to discuss the compensation. Based on my research of the market and my [X years of experience / specific valuable skill / competing offer], I was hoping we could discuss a base salary of $[Your Ask] rather than $[Their Offer].

[Optional: Add specific justification - e.g., "I've seen similar roles at [comparable companies] in this range" or "Given the scope of the role and my track record of [specific achievement], I believe this reflects my value."]

I'm flexible and open to discussing other elements of the package as well. Would you have time for a quick call to discuss?

Thank you again for this opportunity. I'm looking forward to finding a package that works for both of us.

Best,
[Your Name]
```

### Counter-Offer Call Script

```
"Hi [Name], thanks for making time. I'm really excited about this opportunity - [genuine specific reason].

I've reviewed the offer and want to discuss compensation. Based on my market research and [X years experience / key accomplishment / competing offer], I was hoping for a base salary closer to $[Amount].

Is there flexibility there?"

[LISTEN - Let them respond]

[If they push back:]
"I understand there are constraints. I'm flexible - could we look at other elements like signing bonus, equity, or [other element] to bridge the gap?"

[If they say they'll need to check:]
"That's totally fair. When would be a good time to reconnect?"
```

## Common Negotiation Scenarios

### Scenario 1: First Offer Is Low

**Approach:**
- Don't accept immediately
- Express enthusiasm for role
- Counter with research-backed number
- Be prepared to justify

**Script:**
```
"I'm thrilled about the opportunity. The base salary is lower than I expected based on my research. For this role and market, I was expecting something in the $X-$Y range. Is there room to move closer to $X?"
```

### Scenario 2: They Ask Your Salary Expectations First

**Deflection Strategy:**
```
"I'm flexible and focused on finding the right fit. What's the range you've budgeted for this role?"
```

**If Pressed:**
```
"Based on my research for this role and market, I'm looking at $X-$Y, but I'm open to discussing the full compensation picture."
```

### Scenario 3: They Won't Budge on Base

**Alternatives to Negotiate:**
- Signing bonus (one-time, easier to approve)
- Additional equity
- Earlier performance review (sooner raise)
- More vacation days
- Remote work flexibility
- Professional development budget
- Title upgrade
- Relocation assistance
- Start date

**Script:**
```
"I understand the base salary is firm. Could we discuss a signing bonus to help bridge the gap? Something in the range of $X would make this work."
```

### Scenario 4: You Have Competing Offers

**Use Carefully:**
- Only mention if true
- Don't make it a threat
- Frame as problem-solving

**Script:**
```
"I want to be transparent - I'm also in discussions with [another company/a few other companies]. They're offering $X. [Your Company] is my first choice because [genuine reason], but I want to make sure the compensation is competitive."
```

### Scenario 5: They Ask About Current Salary

**In Many States, This Question Is Illegal**

**If Asked (and legal):**
```
"I'd prefer to focus on the value I'd bring to this role and what the market rate is. What's the range you've budgeted?"
```

**Or Redirect:**
```
"My current compensation isn't really comparable since [different location/role/structure]. Based on my research for this role, I'm targeting $X-$Y."
```

## Negotiation Tactics

### Do's:
- ✅ Always negotiate (respectfully)
- ✅ Get the offer in writing before negotiating
- ✅ Research thoroughly
- ✅ Be specific with numbers
- ✅ Express genuine enthusiasm
- ✅ Give them a way to say yes
- ✅ Consider total compensation
- ✅ Be patient - process takes time
- ✅ Get final agreement in writing

### Don'ts:
- ❌ Accept on the spot
- ❌ Give a salary history (if not required by law)
- ❌ Make ultimatums
- ❌ Lie about competing offers
- ❌ Be rude or aggressive
- ❌ Negotiate just for the sake of it
- ❌ Accept verbal promises without writing
- ❌ Burn bridges if it doesn't work out

## Total Compensation Comparison

### Side-by-Side Analysis

```markdown
## OFFER COMPARISON

| Component | Company A | Company B | Notes |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|-------|
| Base Salary | $150,000 | $140,000 | A wins |
| Target Bonus | 15% ($22,500) | 20% ($28,000) | B wins |
| Signing Bonus | $20,000 | $10,000 | A wins |
| Equity (annual) | $50,000 | $75,000 | B wins |
| 401k Match | 4% ($6,000) | 6% ($8,400) | B wins |
| Benefits | Standard | Premium | B wins |
| WFH | Hybrid (3 days) | Full remote | B wins |
| Vacation | 3 weeks | Unlimited | Depends |

**Year 1 Total Comp:**
Company A: $248,500
Company B: $261,400

**Analysis:** Company B is higher total comp, but Company A has higher base which affects future raises and mortgage qualification.
```

## Negotiation Timeline Template

```
Day 1: Receive offer
- Thank them, express enthusiasm
- Ask for offer in writing
- Ask deadline for response

Day 1-3: Research
- Verify market rate
- Calculate total comp
- Identify priorities
- Prepare counter-offer

Day 3-5: Counter
- Send counter-offer email or schedule call
- Be specific about ask

Day 5-10: Discussion
- May require several rounds
- Be patient but responsive
- Stay professional and positive

Day 10+: Resolution
- Agree on terms
- Get everything in writing
- Sign and celebrate!
```

## Output Format

When preparing salary negotiation:

```markdown
# SALARY NEGOTIATION STRATEGY

## Market Research Summary
**Role:** [Title]
**Location:** [City/Remote]
**Experience Level:** [Years]

**Market Range:**
- 25th percentile: $XXX,XXX
- 50th percentile: $XXX,XXX (target)
- 75th percentile: $XXX,XXX
- 90th percentile: $XXX,XXX (stretch)

**Sources:** [List sources used]

## Their Offer
| Component | Amount |
|-----------|--------|
| Base | $XXX,XXX |
| Bonus | X% |
| Equity | $XXX,XXX |
| Signing | $XXX |
| Total Year 1 | $XXX,XXX |

## Your Counter
| Component | Ask | Justification |
|-----------|-----|---------------|
| Base | $XXX,XXX | [Why] |
| Signing | $XXX | [Why] |
| [Other] | | |

## Counter-Offer Script
[Email template or call script customized for this situation]

## If They Push Back
**Plan B:** [Alternative elements to negotiate]
**Walk-away Point:** [Your minimum]

## Key Talking Points
1. [Your experience/value point]
2. [Market data point]
3. [Specific achievement]

## Questions to Clarify
- [Equity vesting schedule?]
- [Bonus guaranteed?]
- [Review cycle timeline?]
```

## Implementation Checklist

1. ✅ Research market rate from 3+ sources
2. ✅ Calculate total compensation (not just base)
3. ✅ Identify your priorities
4. ✅ Determine walk-away point
5. ✅ Prepare counter-offer with justification
6. ✅ Write or practice negotiation script
7. ✅ Plan for pushback scenarios
8. ✅ Get agreement in writing
9. ✅ Review final offer letter carefully
10. ✅ Sign and celebrate!