Your First Job Offer Isn't Final. Here's How to Negotiate for More

You’ve been searching for months. Your phone is filled with job alerts, your inbox a graveyard of "We regret to inform you" emails. You’ve worn your one good interview outfit so many times the creases have creases. Then, it happens. The call. The email. The offer. A wave of pure, unadulterated relief washes over you. You did it. You got the job!

Your first instinct? To scream "YES!" into the phone, accept whatever they’re offering, and run to tell your family the good news. Hold that thought. Pump the brakes for just one second.

That feeling of relief is powerful, I get it. It makes you want to grab that offer letter with both hands and never let go. But here’s the thing they don’t teach you in school: that first number they throw at you? It’s rarely their best number. It’s more like an opening bid. 

Most fresh graduates, scared of rocking the boat, just accept it. They leave thousands on the table, money that could have been a better apartment, savings that could have grown, a life with just a little less financial stress. 

Why You Absolutely Must Negotiate 

The idea of negotiating feels… uncomfortable. You might be thinking, "But I’m just starting out! I have no experience. Shouldn’t I just be grateful?"

Well, gratitude is great. But so is being able to afford your bills without counting pennies every month. Think of it this way: a company isn’t doing you a charity by hiring you. They see value in you. They’ve invested time and resources to find you because they believe you can solve a problem for them and make them money.

Negotiating isn’t about being greedy; it’s about aligning your pay with the value you bring. On top of that, that first salary sets the trajectory for your entire career. Future raises, bonuses, and even offers from other companies are often based on a percentage of your current earnings. Starting low means playing catch-up for years.

A famous study carried out by George Mason and Temple Universities in the US found that graduates who negotiated their starting salary saw an increase of about 5%, on average. That might not sound like much, but over a 40-year career, thanks to compound interest and percentage-based raises, that one conversation can be worth over half a million in lifetime earnings. Now that’s a conversation worth having, don’t you think?

Before You Even Think About Talking Money: Do Your Homework

You can’t walk into a negotiation blind. That’s a surefire way to get flustered and accept the first thing they say. Your power comes from preparation.

1. Know Your Market Rate: This is your most important weapon. "Market rate" is just a fancy term for what other people in similar roles, with similar experience, in your specific city are being paid. How do you find this out?

   • Talk to people! Reach out to folks on LinkedIn who have the job you want. A simple, polite message like, "Hi [Name], I’ve just received an offer for a similar role and I’m trying to understand the market standard for someone with my experience. Any guidance you could share would be incredibly helpful." You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help.

   • Use salary surveys from local recruitment firms.

   • Check out online platforms, but take them with a pinch of salt and try to find data specific to your region.

2. Understand the Entire Package: Salary is just one piece of the puzzle. Your total compensation includes benefits that can be just as valuable as cash.

   • Health Insurance: How good is it? Does it cover your family?

   • Pension Contribution: What percentage does the company add?

   • Transport & Lunch Allowances: Very common and valuable in many markets.

   • Bonus Structure: Is there a 13th-month bonus? Performance bonuses?

   • Professional Development: Will they pay for courses, certifications, or even a master’s degree?

   • Leave Days: How many do you get? More than the legal minimum?

3. Define Your Walk-Away Number: Based on your research and your personal expenses, know the absolute minimum you can accept to live comfortably. If they can’t meet that, you have to be prepared to politely decline. This is tough, but it saves you from accepting a offer you’ll regret in three months.

The Art of the Conversation: How to Actually Do It

Alright, you’ve done your homework. The offer email arrives. Don’t reply immediately! Take a breath. Here’s your game plan.

Step 1: Express Enthusiasm and Gratitude.
Your first reply should NOT be a list of demands. Start by saying how excited you are about the opportunity and thank them for the offer. This sets a positive and collaborative tone.

• Example: "Thank you so much for sending over the offer! I'm truly excited about the prospect of joining the [Team Name] team and contributing to [Something specific you liked about the company]."

Step 2: Make the Ask.
Now, pivot to the negotiation. Be confident and frame it based on your research.

• Example: "Based on my understanding of the market rate for this role in [Your City], along with my experience in [Mention a key skill], I was hoping we could discuss a starting salary closer to [Your Target Number]. This figure feels more in line with the value I aim to bring to this position."

See what we did there? It’s not "I want more." It’s "Here’s the data, and here’s why I’m worth it."

Step 3: Be Ready for a Counter-Offer.
They might not be able to meet your exact number. That’s okay! This is where you talk about the entire package.

• If they say the salary is fixed, you could say: "I understand that the base salary might have less flexibility. Would it be possible to review the [health insurance, bonus structure, or leave days] instead?"

• Maybe they can’t give more cash now, but they can agree to a performance review in 6 months instead of 12 with a potential raise tied to it. Get any such promises in writing.

Step 4: Listen and Collaborate.
This isn’t a fight; it’s a conversation. Listen to their constraints. The goal is to find a solution that works for both of you, showing you’re a problem-solver, not just a demander.

What If They Say No?

It happens. Sometimes budgets are truly tight. But guess what? You’ve lost nothing. You practiced a crucial professional skill, you showed confidence, and you learned something about the company. A company that rescinds an offer just because you tried to negotiate is probably not a company you want to work for anyway. It’s a major red flag.

If they say a firm no, you have a choice. You can still accept, knowing you tried. Or you can gracefully decline, citing that the offer doesn’t meet your minimum requirements. You walk away with your head held high.

FAQs

1. Won't they just take the offer back if I try to negotiate?
Extremely unlikely. A company has already invested significant time and money in interviewing you and decided you're the best person for the job. They want you. Rescinding an offer because a candidate negotiates is very rare and unprofessional. It’s a sign of a poor company culture you’re better off avoiding.

2. I'm a woman, and I've heard it's harder for us to negotiate. Is that true?
Unfortunately, societal biases can sometimes make women feel they will be perceived as "aggressive" for negotiating, while a man would be seen as "confident." This is a real concern. The key is to use the collaborative approach outlined above—focusing on market data and shared goals. Your preparation is your shield against bias. It’s not emotional; it’s factual. More and more companies are also aware of this bias and are working to create fairer processes.

3. What if I have no other job offers to use as leverage?
You don’t need another offer to negotiate effectively. Your best leverage is the value you bring to the role and the data you have on market rates. An offer from another company can be strong leverage, but it can also backfire if it seems like you're playing games. The most sustainable approach is to negotiate based on your own merit and the standard for the role.

Over to you

So, there you have it. That initial wave of relief when you get a job offer is an amazing feeling. But it shouldn’t be the feeling that makes your decisions for you. You’ve worked too hard to get here.

It’s the beginning of a professional dialogue. By doing your homework, understanding your worth, and approaching the conversation with respect and confidence, you’re not just asking for more money. You’re setting a precedent. You’re telling your new employer, from day zero, that you are a professional who knows their value and isn’t afraid to advocate for themselves. That is a trait that will pay dividends throughout your entire career.

Now, go get what you’re worth. Your future self will thank you for it.