Salary Negotiation Playbook
A step-by-step guide to negotiating your tech job offer. Includes proven scripts, email templates, and strategies used by top earners.
Negotiation Steps
Key Tips
- Use levels.fyi for tech-specific compensation data
- Check Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and Blind for ranges
- Factor in total compensation: base, equity, bonus, benefits
- Consider cost of living differences between locations
- Talk to recruiters and connections for insider info
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Common Negotiation Mistakes
Accepting the first offer
Fix: Almost every offer has room for negotiation. Even a 5% increase compounds significantly over your career.
Negotiating only base salary
Fix: Consider signing bonus, equity, PTO, remote work, start date, title, and review timeline.
Being too aggressive
Fix: Frame requests as collaborative problem-solving, not demands. You want them as future colleagues.
Not practicing beforehand
Fix: Rehearse your negotiation script out loud. The words should feel natural when you say them.
Making it personal
Fix: Base your ask on market data and your qualifications, not personal expenses or needs.
Practice Your Interview Skills
Negotiation is just one part of the interview process. Practice coding, system design, and behavioral questions to maximize your offer potential.
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Put it into practice
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