Write Speak Code Salary Negotiation Practice Scripts

*Context: These are scripts to help during the workshop portion of my talk on Salary Negotiations at Write Speak Code. Feel free to practice with them yourselves. Always willing to be a practice buddy – just send me a message!*

Recruiter asking for your expected salary:
Recruiter: What’s your current salary?
Recruiter: What’s your expected salary?

Things you can say:
•“Can you tell me more about the role and the expectations?”
•“What is the typical salary range for a position like this one?”
•“What do people with my same qualifications and years of experience make?”
•“I would prefer to focus on the value I can bring to the company and not what I’m currently paid at this current position. I want this move to be a big step forward for me in terms of responsibility and compensation and let me tell you what I can bring to the table”

Recruiter: Well, let me see what I can do. I need to get approval for it on my side, but I think we can probably do that.

 

Job offer:
Recruiter: We think you are an excellent candidate for the position and a great fit. We hope you will accept our offer of $50,000 a year plus benefits

•“I’ve done some research, and I found that the salary offered is actually below average for similar positions in the area. Would you consider…?”
•“I know I can bring a lot of value to the company with my [2–3 of your unique skills or achievements]. I was really looking for a base salary of…”
•”I would love to work here.  Let me give you some data about why I’ll be a great fit for the company.”
•”I would be more comfortable with X. Is that number flexible at all?”

Recruiter: Well, let me see what I can do. I need to get approval for it on my side, but I think we can probably do that.

 

Counter offer:
Recruiter: I know you were looking more in the $60,000 range, but we can only offer you $55.000

•”I can see how that might be difficult, given where we are today. Perhaps we can talk about [benefits].”
•”Any chance you can go up to…?”
•”Is there any more flexibility on the salary? I think my [unique skills] would really position me well”
•“I understand the best you can offer is [original salary]. If you can also give me [benefit] to help make up the difference, I’ll be delighted to join the team.”

Recruiter: Well, let me see what I can do. I need to get approval for it on my side, but I think we can probably do that.

 

Raise time:
Manager: This year, we’d like to offer you a 3% raise based on your performance.
•”I love working here.  Let me give you some data about why my value has increased in the past year.”
•”Now that I’m contributing much more to the company. I’ve been researching salaries for [job title] and it looks like the mid-point is around … So I would like to request a raise to…”
•”I understand that this is the base raise for everyone, but let me tell you about where I grew this year and the extra value that I provide the company”

Manager: Well, let me see what I can do. I need to get approval for it on my side, but I think we can probably do that.

Example full script:
•Thank you so much for the offer. I’m very excited about this opportunity. Over the phone, you offered $50,000. Based on my research, I’ve seen the salary range for this type of role in the industry is typically between $55,000 and $65,000.
•Additionally, I feel I’m able to offer unique value to your company — in my prior position, I earned my company an additional $10,000 with a campaign I launched.
•For these reasons, I would be more comfortable if we could settle on $60,000. I feel my qualifications and experience reflect this salary.
•If you’re able to move the pay to $60,000, I’d be eager to accept.

Slides for reference: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wLWAWs4mqDyHPRvL3KMRE7xMy8nDu__Q/view?usp=sharing

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