4 Times to Negotiate Your Salary (and 3 Times Not To)

Negotiating salary. An undertaking that freaks out many a job seeker and one that’s ripe with potential pitfalls.

Should you always negotiate on salary? Or is it never? Or if it’s dependent on the situation, in which ones should you maybe raise your hand and say, “More, please?” (And in which instances will you either look like a jerk or, worse, risk losing the offer altogether?)

There there. It’s not always as complicated as it appears. Let’s simplify things with a few down and dirty tips on when (and how) to negotiate—and when not to.

Consider Negotiating When

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1. You Have the (Written) Offer in Hand

Having been a recruiter for 10+ years, I’ve seen more than a few missteps among job seekers who start playing hardball over moolah before it’s even been established that an offer is forthcoming. Basic rule of negotiation: You have way more power when you know they want you. So if you do have an offer in your hot hands, and it’s not quite what you were anticipating, now would be a decent time to put together a thoughtful counteroffer. If you’re still waiting for that official letter? Hold your horses.