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Salary negotiation for your first job

Research your market rate, know your number, and ask in a calm way before you accept the offer.

18 items · 4 sections · career, money, work

Start this checklist

Before the offer (5)

  • Look up the pay range for the role, city and level on two or three salary sites
  • Ask your college, seniors and friends in similar roles what they were offered
  • Write down your lowest number, your target and your dream number
  • List what you bring: projects, internships, skills, languages, a certificate
  • Know what else matters: location, learning, hours, notice period and leave

When the offer comes (4)

  • Say thank you and that you are happy to get it: do not say yes or no on the call
  • Ask for the offer in writing, with the full pay breakdown
  • Ask for a day or two to thinkA reasonable employer will say yes.
  • Check base pay, bonus, benefits, joining bonus, probation and notice period

Make your ask (5)

  • Call or email with your reasons: market data and what you bring
  • Ask for a specific figure, a little above your target, not a range
  • Say it once, then stop and let them reply
  • Be ready to ask for other things if pay cannot move: a review at six months, a learning budget, remote days
  • Stay friendly and do not give an ultimatum

Close it (4)

  • Get every change in writing before you resign from another job
  • Accept only when the number is at or above your lowest number
  • Say thanks and confirm the start date and what to bring on day one
  • Keep a copy of the signed offer letter

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