Salary Negotiation Basics

Negotiation is information work. Before any conversation, gather a range from postings, offers and surveys in pay transparent states; your anchor should sit in the top third of that range if your evidence of output supports it. Negotiate at maximum leverage: after a written offer exists, before you accept.

Lead with a number and a rationale, not an apology, and negotiate the package, not just base: signing bonus, equity refresh, review timing and start date all trade against each other. Practice out loud once. Silence after their counteroffer is fine.

Whatever the outcome, get it in writing, because verbal promises evaporate in reorganizations..