How to negotiate a salary offer

Most people either take the first offer or send a one line reply that just names a number. Neither works as well as a short message that does three things: shows you genuinely want the job, gives one reason for the ask, and leaves the door open for a counter.

Enthusiasm first, ask second

Open by saying, plainly, that you are glad to have the offer and keen on the role. Skip this step and even a reasonable ask can read as transactional, as though the offer were just an invoice to negotiate down. One genuine sentence about the role is worth more than any amount of hedging later in the message.

Anchor the ask, do not just state a number

“Could you do $10,000 more?” invites a flat yes or no. “Based on what similar roles are paying, and the six years I bring in this exact stack, is there room to get closer to $105,000?” gives the other side a reason to say yes. If you do not have research, another offer, or relevant experience to point to, do not invent one: keep the ask short and let your interest in the role carry it instead.

One ask, not a list

Asking for salary, a signing bonus, extra holiday, and a later start date all at once forces the reader to negotiate on four fronts and makes you harder to say yes to. Pick the one change that matters most and ask for that. You can always raise something else once the main point is settled.

Leave room for a counter

Phrase the ask as a question, not a demand: “Is there flexibility on the base?” or “Would you be able to move on the start date?” reads as the start of a conversation. A flat “I need X or I will decline” is an ultimatum, and it only makes sense if you genuinely mean it and are prepared to walk. Most negotiations are not there yet, so leave the door open.

Example

Hi Priya, Thank you so much for the offer, I am genuinely excited about joining the team and getting started on the analytics rebuild. Before I accept, I wanted to raise one thing. Based on a few similar roles I have seen at comparable companies, and the six years I have spent specifically in this stack, is there room to move the base closer to $105,000? I would love to find a number that works well for both of us. Either way, I am looking forward to working together, and happy to jump on a call if that is easier. Best, Jordan

Common mistakes

Leading with the number instead of the enthusiasm, so the whole message reads as purely transactional.
Stacking several asks at once instead of picking the one that matters most.
Threatening to walk away when you are not actually prepared to, which weakens every future negotiation with that employer.