Prepare Your Negotiation Approach
Step by Step
Step by Step
Review your three numbers from Day 19: target salary, minimum acceptable salary, and opening ask.
Prepare your negotiation opener "Thank you so much for this offer. I am genuinely excited about joining the team. The base salary is slightly below where I was hoping to land based on my research into market rates for entry-level [role] positions in [city]. Is there any flexibility to get closer to [your target]?"
Prepare for common responses
If they meet your ask or come close: Accept warmly and ask for the full offer in writing. If they meet you halfway: Evaluate whether it works and accept if it does. If they say the salary is fixed: Ask about other components. "I understand. Is there any flexibility on the start date, signing bonus, professional development budget, or additional vacation days?" If they say no to everything: Decide whether the full package still meets your needs and is worth accepting.
Practice your opener out loud until it sounds natural and confident.
Tips Never apologize for negotiating. It is professional and expected at every level including entry-level. Research consistently shows that candidates who negotiate receive higher starting salaries with no negative effect on their offer being accepted. The salary you accept in your first role is the baseline for your next role. Negotiating even a modest increase now compounds significantly over time.