8 proven scripts · Phone, Zoom & email
Salary negotiation scripts — word-for-word lines that work
Stop rehearsing vague talking points. These scripts give you the exact words for every stage of the negotiation — opening, objections, countering, and closing.
📞 Phone / Zoom
Opening: Responding to a verbal offer call
Use this the moment a recruiter calls with a verbal offer. Never accept or negotiate in the same call — buy time first.
RECRUITER: "We'd like to offer you the [role] position at [company] with a base salary of $X."
YOU: "That's wonderful news — thank you so much. I'm genuinely excited about this opportunity and the team I've met. I'd love to take 24 hours to review the full written offer before responding. Could you send that over?"
[After receiving the written offer]
YOU: "Hi [Name], thanks for sending this over. I've reviewed everything carefully and I'm very excited. I do want to discuss the base salary — would now be a good time, or would you prefer to schedule a quick call?"
📞 Phone / Zoom
Making your counter offer by phone
Use this when you're ready to name your number. Confident, brief, and doesn't over-justify.
YOU: "Thank you again for the offer — I want to be upfront that I'm very excited about this role and [company]. After researching the market rate for [job title] in [city] and reflecting on my [X years] of experience in [specific skill], I'd like to propose a base salary of $[your number].
Does that work for you, or is there flexibility to get closer to that figure?"
🛡 Objection
When they say: "The salary is fixed"
This is a negotiating position, not a fact. Pivot to total compensation immediately.
THEM: "I'm afraid the base salary is fixed — we don't have flexibility there."
YOU: "I appreciate you being transparent about that. If the base is set, I'd love to explore whether there's flexibility in other areas of the package. Would it be possible to discuss a signing bonus, an additional week of PTO, or perhaps an accelerated 6-month performance review? I want to find a way to make this work for both of us."
🛡 Objection
When they say: "Other candidates aren't asking for that"
Don't take the bait. You're not negotiating against other candidates.
THEM: "I should mention that other candidates we're considering aren't asking for that level of compensation."
YOU: "I completely understand, and I respect that. I can only speak to my own experience and the value I'd bring. Based on my [specific experience/skill] and what I'm seeing in the current market for this role, I believe $[number] reflects my market value accurately. I'm confident the contribution I'll make will justify it quickly."
🛡 Objection
When they come back below your ask
They've met you partway — this is your chance for one final nudge before accepting.
THEM: "The best we can do is $[X — between original offer and your counter]."
YOU: "I genuinely appreciate you working on this — I can see you've gone to bat for me and I don't take that lightly. Is there any possibility of meeting at $[split the difference]? At that figure, I'm ready to sign today. If that's truly the ceiling, I'd also love to confirm the 6-month review discussed — that gives me a clear path forward."
📞 Current job — asking for a raise
Requesting a raise from your current manager
Use this to open the conversation — ideally 2–3 weeks before your annual review or right after a major win.
YOU: "Hi [Manager], I've really valued my time on the team and I'm proud of what I've contributed — particularly [specific achievement]. I'd love to set up 20 minutes to discuss my compensation. I've done some research on market rates for my role and I have some thoughts I'd like to share. Does [day/time] work for you?"
[In the meeting]
YOU: "Over the past [time period] I've [key achievement 1] and [key achievement 2], which contributed directly to [measurable outcome]. Based on that growth and current market data for [role] in [location], I'd like to discuss bringing my salary to $[number]. Is that something we can explore?"
💻 Competing offer
Using a competing offer as leverage
Only use this if you have a real competing offer in hand. Never bluff — it will backfire.
YOU: "I want to be upfront with you because I genuinely want to join [company]. I've recently received another offer for $[competing offer amount]. [Company] is my first choice — I'm more excited about this role and the team here. But I do have to make a financially responsible decision. Is there any way you could match or get close to $[number]? If so, I'd accept today."
📞 Closing
Gracefully accepting when you've reached the ceiling
Know when to close. This script accepts professionally while locking in future commitments.
YOU: "Thank you for working through this with me — I really appreciate your transparency throughout the process. I'm happy to accept at $[final agreed number]. I just want to confirm a couple of things: the start date we discussed is [date], and we agreed to a salary review at the 6-month mark. Once I see that reflected in the written offer, I'll sign immediately. I'm genuinely excited to join the team."