Salary Negotiation Scripts

Scenario 1: During a Job Offer Call

Recruiter: "We'd like to offer you the role at $95,000."

You: "Thank you so much for the offer! I'm really excited about the opportunity to join [Company]. Based on my experience in [Skill] and the market research I've done for this role in [City], I was expecting something closer to [Target Salary]. Is there any flexibility in the base salary?"

Scenario 2: Asking for a Raise In-Person

You: "I've really enjoyed taking on [New Project] over the last six months. Since my last review, my responsibilities have grown to include [Task 1] and [Task 2]. I’d like to discuss adjusting my salary to [Target Salary] to better reflect the value I’m bringing to the team and align with current market rates for my level of impact."

Scenario 3: Handling the 'Budget' Excuse

Manager: "We'd love to give you a raise, but there's just no budget right now."

You: "I understand that budgets can be tight. Since a salary increase isn't possible today, could we look at other parts of my package, like additional leave or professional development support? Also, could we set a clear timeline and specific performance milestones for when we can revisit a salary adjustment?"