Back to Blog
5 min read·June 2026

Salary Negotiation Tips: How to Get Paid What You're Worth

Salary Negotiation Tips: How to Get Paid What You're Worth

Most people leave money on the table because they don't negotiate. Here's how to fix that.

The Golden Rule: Always Negotiate

Studies show 85% of employers have room to increase their first offer. The worst they can say is no — and that rarely happens.

Before the Negotiation: Do Your Research

Know your market value before any conversation:

  • **Glassdoor** and **Levels.fyi** (tech): Real salary data by company and role
  • **LinkedIn Salary**: Based on actual job title and location
  • **Bureau of Labor Statistics**: US government salary data by occupation
  • Target a range, not a single number. Aim for the top 25% of the range for your experience level.

    During the Job Offer Negotiation

    Never give the first number

    If asked "what are your salary expectations?", respond: *"I'd love to understand the full role and comp structure first. What's the budgeted range for this position?"*

    When you receive an offer:

    Don't respond immediately. Say: *"Thank you so much — I'm very excited about this role. Could I have 24–48 hours to review the offer?"*

    The counter-offer script:

    *"I'm really enthusiastic about joining [Company]. Based on my research and [X years] of experience in [specific skill], I was expecting something closer to [number]. Is there flexibility to get to [specific number]?"*

    Negotiating a Raise

    **Time it right:** After a major win, during performance reviews, or when taking on more responsibility.

    Build your case with data:

  • List your achievements with numbers
  • Show market rate data for your role
  • Come with a specific number, not a range
  • **The script:** *"I've been thinking about our conversation. Over the past year I've [achievement 1], [achievement 2], which contributed to [result]. Based on the market and my contributions, I'd like to discuss moving my salary to [X]."*

    Beyond Base Salary

    Negotiate the full package: equity, signing bonus, remote work, vacation days, professional development budget, and flexible hours.

    Your Resume Affects Your Starting Salary

    A stronger resume gets better offers. Higher title matches = higher starting salary offers. Use CV-Spark to ensure your resume accurately reflects your skills and experience.

    [Check your resume score for free →](/)

    Ready to improve your resume?

    ⚡ CV-Spark — Analyze Free
    Common Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Everything you need to know about CV-Spark

    Ready to land your next role?

    Upload your CV and get AI-powered insights in under 30 seconds.

    ⚡ CVSpark — Analyze Free

    ⚠️ CV-Spark is an AI-powered tool built on the Base44 platform. AI-generated results (scores, job matches, suggestions) may not be 100% accurate. CV-Spark is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from use of this tool. Always verify results independently.

    ⚡CVSpark

    © 2026 CV-Spark. We do not collect or sell your data.