After a layoff, you might feel grateful just to get an offer. But negotiating your salary is essential - what you accept now affects your earning potential for years to come.

Why You Should Always Negotiate

• Most employers expect you to negotiate
• First offers are rarely the best offer
• A $5,000 increase now compounds over your career
• It demonstrates confidence and professionalism

Step 1: Do Your Research

Before negotiating, know your market value:

• Glassdoor: Salary data by company and role
• Levels.fyi: Great for tech roles
• LinkedIn Salary: Industry and location data
• PayScale: Personalized salary reports

Know the range for your role, industry, and location. Aim for the 60th-75th percentile.

Step 2: Get the Offer in Writing

Before negotiating, make sure you have the full offer documented:

• Base salary
• Bonus structure
• Equity/stock options
• Benefits
• Start date

Step 3: The Negotiation Script

"Thank you so much for the offer - I'm really excited about this opportunity. I've done some research on market rates for this role, and given my experience in [specific area] and the value I'll bring in [specific contribution], I was hoping we could discuss the base salary. I'm targeting [X amount] based on the market data and my qualifications. Is there flexibility there?"

What Else to Negotiate

If base salary is firm, try:

• Signing bonus: One-time cash to sweeten the deal
• Start date bonus: Extra pay for starting sooner
• Equity: More stock options or RSUs
• Title: A better title can lead to higher future pay
• Remote work: Flexibility has real value
• Vacation days: Often easier to negotiate than salary
• Learning budget: Money for courses and conferences

Common Negotiation Mistakes

• Accepting immediately without negotiating
• Giving a number first (let them anchor)
• Using "I need" instead of "the market value is"
• Negotiating over email when a call would be better
• Being aggressive or confrontational
• Accepting a verbal offer without written confirmation

After the Negotiation

Once you've reached an agreement:

1. Get the final offer in writing
2. Review all terms carefully
3. Express enthusiasm and gratitude
4. Meet your first-day commitments to start strong