Salary Negotiation: Exactly What to Say (With Scripts)
Why Most People Leave Money on the Table
Research shows that 70% of hiring managers expect candidates to negotiate, yet only 39% actually do. By not negotiating, you could be losing thousands of pounds over your career.
When to Negotiate
Always negotiate when:
- You receive a formal job offer
- You have competing offers
- You have been in your role for 12+ months
The Negotiation Scripts
When You Receive an Offer (Phone)
"Thank you so much for the offer - I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to join [Company]. I would like to take a day to review the full package. Would it be possible to schedule a call tomorrow to discuss the details?"
Making Your Counter-Offer
"Thank you again for the offer of [£X]. Based on my research into market rates for this role and my [X years of experience / specific skills], I was expecting something closer to [£X+15-20%]. Is there flexibility in the budget?"
If They Say the Budget Is Fixed
"I understand budget constraints are real. Could we discuss other elements of the package? I would be particularly interested in [additional holiday / flexible working / professional development budget / sign-on bonus / earlier review]."
If They Meet You Halfway
"I appreciate you working with me on this. Could we agree on [£X - slightly above their counter] with a six-month review to assess performance-related increases?"
Phrases That Work
- "Based on my research..."
- "Given my experience in..."
- "Considering the value I would bring..."
- "I am excited about the role, and..."