Salary negotiations

26 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 20,2025 at 1:15PM UTC

   Have you done any sort of research into comp and what the market is for this position?

   Also, doesn't hurt to ask on PTO. I know a lot of people say that is a nonnegotiable but that is not the case across the board.

2. Megan LeasherOctober 20,2025 at 2:55PM UTC

   I think it's worth trying for more PTO, given that that is fewer days than you are used to. Be ready to receive "no" as a response, but it's worth trying!

3. AnonymousOctober 20,2025 at 10:15PM UTC

   I always respond by asking if there is wiggle room on both compensation and PTO. Explain your research on similar roles and titles and mention you have received at least one more week of pto in your past positions. Just hear them out. If there is no room for negotiation, ask if they'd be open to revisit these after 6 months of employment.

4. Dr. Patty GrossOctober 21,2025 at 12:26PM UTC

   Since they offered you more than your compensation request, your best negotiation option is for benefits and PTO. Since they offered you more than you asked for, they are not in the low-ball game and want you on board.

5. GirlBossanova934974October 21,2025 at 12:50PM UTC

   Try going for another week of PTO. That's it. You got more than you asked as far as salary.

6. Elana KonstantOctober 21,2025 at 2:33PM UTC

   Congrats on the new job! This sounds like a wonderful starting point for a mutually beneficial acceptance. In terms of negotiation, however, salary is only one component. You could negotiate title, signing bonus, PTO, WFH days/status, professional development benefits, retirement, etc. Think about what's important to you in terms of prioritizing your ask. I've had clients who negotiate higher comp even if they got their ask because the market research showed that their ask should have been higher initially. When negotiating, you want to think about RESEARCH (understanding the market through network intel, market data, prior experience), PRIORITIES (noted above), and VALUE ADD (what you bring to the role to justify the ask). As one of the commenters noted below, if they can't get to your ask now, ask if there are certain metrics you can put in place now to trigger a revision in 3-6 months.

7. Krystin MorganOctober 21,2025 at 4:45PM UTC

   It's actually not a bad idea to take a job without negotiating if you're getting everything you want! Negotiating just for the sake of "having negotiated" isn't especially beneficial; the goal of negotiating is to make sure your needs are addressed and you're getting the compensation you deserve. I would suggest waiting for the full offer letter then, if you feel strongly, try to negotiate for more paid time off, or in lieu of that perhaps ask for a signing bonus. Since you're getting an offer for more than you asked for salary-wise, it would look a bit out of touch to ask for more money now *unless* you've learned more about the job and now feel it's worth more pay. Either way, congrats and good luck!

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 21,2025 at 6:28PM UTC

   Congratulations on what sounds like a great offer!

   Typically, by the time you get to this point, there is really not that much to negotiate. Most things like - PTO, medical benefits, 401k contribution are Company policy and the same for everyone except at the very most senior executive level.

   It is absolutely NOT a bad idea to accept a first offer. The companies I work for typically extend their best offer right off the bat so the candidate knows we don't fool around with comp and that we really want them to come on board.

   I discuss compensation on every first call and often after that so by the time we get to offer, there should be no surprises. That your offer was above your ask is a nice surprise considering you are transitioning industries - which is an extremely difficult thing to do in a job market like this with so many experienced, well-qualified candidates on the market.

   I'm not exactly sure where "researching" will get you. It really doesn't matter what other companies offer - what matters is the salary band and benefits in THAT company.

   Also, please know that - although I think this is an absolutely terrible practice - companies have been known to pull offers when candidates attempt to negotiate.

   If you would have acceped this job with a pay cut, I'm not exactly sure what is making you so reculant to accept an offer over your original ask.

   GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!

9. AnonymousOctober 21,2025 at 6:39PM UTC

   I agree with your post. I have accepted each offer at first offer as each was better than I hoped for. I never wanted to ruffle feathers and worked my way to more money, etc.

10. AnonymousOctober 21,2025 at 9:04PM UTC

    You can always ask for the extra week of PTO. There’s no harm in it and the worst they can say is no. They probably would welcome a non-monetary negotiation. You can even offer to postpone any unplanned PTO for the first 6 months while you acclimate to the job if you can afford to do that. They are not going to take the offer away simply because you ask, they already spent time and money recruiting you so they want you at the company and they don’t want to spend more time and money recruiting someone else. I would ask because you never know if you don’t!!

11. AnonymousOctober 21,2025 at 11:03PM UTC

    Agree with many of the other commenters. I would definitely negotiate more PTO. That you are new in your field and they are paying more than you requested to me suggests you don’t have any grounds to negotiate more salary! Good luck!

12. AnonymousOctober 21,2025 at 11:59PM UTC

    IMHO if you are happy with the offer take it once it is in writing. As an alternative ask about reviews and increases for high performers and when they happen and an average of how much is given or how that works. Asking this shows that you plan on being great at the job. If there is a stock portion IMHO that has a strong value in terms of negotiation. Ask for more of that if you can. Focusing on PTO doesn't make sense because most people don't take what they have and if it doesn't roll over then it doesn't matter unless you generally take long vacations. Chances are negotiating that won't work because those things are standard across all hires and most companies won't budge on that. Congrats on the offer, be great and hope that when they review you for the next promotion you get there that you make more then. So long answer is no you can just accept it if you love the offer as is.

13. Mary Lea McTurnanOctober 22,2025 at 4:13AM UTC

    I disagree. Not negotiating may make herb seem weak and not promotable

14. AnonymousOctober 22,2025 at 4:13PM UTC

    BS! You can be satisfied with what you are offered and not seem weak. Why be so negative nelly here when you should be excited that she has an offer. She is happy with the role and everything but less PTO so she should take it or try to ask for more there. But perhaps you wouldn't because you need to feel tough?

15. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 23,2025 at 5:28PM UTC

    That is absolutely not true.

16. Mary Lea McTurnanOctober 22,2025 at 4:12AM UTC

    What industry and what role ?

17. Focused541800October 22,2025 at 4:43AM UTC

    You could ask them to match your current vacation days. And make sure there are also separate sick days.

18. AnonymousOctober 22,2025 at 1:03PM UTC

    Before you rule out salary, are you able to see what others are making at your level via Glassdoor or Indeed?

    Otherwise, I agree with the others to negotiate more PTO.

19. AnonymousOctober 22,2025 at 3:12PM UTC

    PTO should be a fairly negotiable thing. It doesn't technically cost the company more. (You go on vacation someone else has to cover your work, or you have a pile of work when you come back).

20. Jannie HigginsOctober 24,2025 at 1:34PM UTC

    I'd approach it more as a discussion and definitely would try. Was salary ever discussed? Do research on what is the average for the role and see if they have room to discuss it - but always tie in your skills and what you bring (maybe skills from your other industry are applicable?). Plan B can be to request more PTO if salary cant budge. Decide which is more important to you. Good luck!

21. AnonymousOctober 24,2025 at 1:51PM UTC

    negotiate the PTO - you are already receiving an increase, and giving you more PTO doesn't cost them anything - win/win.

22. AnonymousOctober 26,2025 at 2:17AM UTC

    If I may...I just received an offer that was above the top of the shared range (I didn't verbally give a number during my screen but on the application said greater than the top.

    I picked up on a lot of information during my interview process that helped me position myself as more valuable to them. I said after learning about the scope of this role throughout the process (insert market data- do your research) if we can align on X then I'm ready to sign today. I asked for nearly 40k more than what they offered. They called to hear my justification so I could explain my perspective, shared with the committee and got back to me same day that they accept my counter. I worked with a salary coach who really helped me see that the worst that can happen is they say no and counter back. She was right. Happy to connect you with her. She's free and does this as a passion project to help close the wage gap.

    My first time negotiating. I'm so proud of myself!!!! Know your worth!!

23. AnonymousOctober 26,2025 at 1:41PM UTC

    I would love to connect with your salary coach.

24. AnonymousOctober 26,2025 at 4:03PM UTC

    Since we are both anonymous, how do we connect ?

25. Jennifer Taylor EdensOctober 27,2025 at 12:52PM UTC

    Hi. I would love to connect with your coach. That's excellent advice she gave and that passed on.

26. Yasmeen NoorNovember 16,2025 at 2:43PM UTC
    You can still negotiate aspects like PTO or benefits even if the base salary is higher than you expected, as total compensation matters. Career guidance and general labor-market insights show that discussing these details is normal and doesn’t harm your chances. Reviewing the offer holistically and planning aheadwith an emi-calculator helps you make a confident decision.