- Do your research. Use Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, or Blind to know the real market range. Don’t trust the company to tell you.
- Delay the money talk. The later it happens, the more leverage you have because now they actually want you.
- Make them show their hand. Ask for their range, every time.
- Be ready to walk. If a company refuses to discuss pay transparently, that’s a red flag.
Protect Yourself
The salary conversation is a game, and the odds are stacked against you. Recruiters will push, companies will lowball, and LinkedIn will keep feeding you garbage “advice” to make you feel guilty about negotiating.
Don’t play along. Don’t give away your number first. Make them reveal theirs. The only thing worse than losing a job offer is accepting one where you got played.
Know your worth beyond the paycheck. Salary is just one piece of your total compensation, and companies often use shiny perks to distract from lower pay. Look closely at benefits like equity, health coverage, and time off — but also consider what they’re worth to you, not just what HR says they’re worth on paper. The goal isn’t to squeeze every dollar possible; it’s to make sure you’re being valued fairly for your time, skills, and impact.
And remember, confidence comes from preparation. Practice your responses out loud, write down your non-negotiables, and rehearse how you’ll handle pushback. Most candidates cave because they’re caught off guard in the moment. You don’t have to. When you know the market, understand your leverage, and stay calm under pressure, you flip the power dynamic — and that’s when real negotiation begins.
