Salary Negotiation Tips and Examples

During your interviews, you’ll be asked two common questions:

• “What is your current CTC?”
• “What is your expected CTC?”

While these questions might sound terrifying, what’s worse is not negotiating the salary.

Only 37% of candidates negotiate, even though it’s normal to ask for more. If you’re planning a job change or aiming for a promotion, knowing the right strategies can help you negotiate successfully.

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📊 Facts About Salary Negotiation

• Most job seekers accept the first offer.
• Around 52% of men in the USA accepted the first salary offer without negotiating.
• Many women also skip negotiating their pay.
• Failing to negotiate early can result in significant loss of earnings over a career.

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💡 How Much Can You Request?

Before negotiating, try to determine the company’s salary range. Here’s how:

✔ Research Tools

• Use websites like PayScale.com, Glassdoor, or LinkedIn.
• Look at salary ranges in job postings.

✔ Consider Bonuses & Benefits

• Include perks like insurance, medical, travel allowance, etc., when evaluating total compensation.

✔ Talk to People

• Reach out to recruiters, friends, co-workers, or former employers to understand typical pay for your role.

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🧠 Salary Negotiation Strategies

🔹 1. Request a Raise Before Leaving

If you plan to leave a job, try asking for a raise first. You’ll know what your current employer is willing to offer.

🔹 2. Sell Your Value, Not Your Skills

• Mention quantifiable accomplishments.
• Show how you saved time, money, or improved performance.

Be confident—if you don’t believe in your worth, no one else will.

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📈 Determining Your Salary Range

• Low Point: What is the minimum you’d accept?
• Mid Point: What would be reasonable?
• High Point: What’s your ideal salary?

⚠️ Avoid quoting the low point.
✅ Share a range between your mid and high point with the employer.

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👩‍🎓 Negotiation Tips for Freshers

If you’re a fresher:

• Pitch your passion, work ethic, and willingness to learn.
• Ask for at least 10% more than the initial offer.
• Practice your pitch to gain confidence.

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❓ How to Answer: “What Are Your Salary Expectations?”

Best Practices:

• Avoid stating a number too early.
• Ask the interviewer for their budgeted range.
• Back up your range with research.
• Ask if the salary is negotiable.

Sample Answers:

“I’d prefer to have this conversation after an offer has been made. I trust the compensation will be fair based on the role and industry standards.”

“My current employer maintains compensation confidentiality. However, I can confirm whether my expectations align with the range for this role.”

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🎯 Negotiating the Best Starting Salary

Use your pre-defined salary range. You can say:

“I’m providing a range because the final number depends on responsibilities and impact. Money isn’t my sole motivator, so I’m flexible based on the role.”

Pro Tip: Consider the employer’s size and flexibility.

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📞 How to Negotiate Salary After Receiving a Job Offer

Prefer phone calls over emails.

Sending a list of demands via email may seem ungrateful or rigid. Instead, use email to schedule a discussion.

Sample Email:

Hi Ben,

I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited for next steps. I have a few questions and was wondering when would be a good time to discuss them.

Looking forward to speaking with you.

Best,  
Harold