Salary Negotiation: 5 Scripts That Actually Work

73% of employers expect you to negotiate. Yet 55% of candidates accept the first offer. That gap represents thousands of euros left on the table every year.

Why You Should Always Negotiate

• ●The average successful negotiation increases the offer by 7-10%
• ●On a €60,000 salary, that's €4,200-€6,000 more per year
• ●Compounded over a 30-year career, it can mean €500,000+ in lifetime earnings
• ●Only 1 in 1,000 job offers are rescinded due to negotiation (it almost never happens)

When to Negotiate

Always negotiate when: - You have a written offer (never negotiate a verbal offer) - You've done market research on comparable salaries - You can articulate specific reasons for a higher number

Consider not negotiating when: - The offer already exceeds your research-based range - It's a standardized government or union position with fixed bands - The company explicitly states “non-negotiable” (even then, negotiate benefits)

The 5 Scripts

Script 1: The Standard Counter “Thank you so much for the offer — I'm really excited about this role. Based on my research and the value I'd bring with [specific skill/experience], I was hoping we could explore a base salary closer to [X]. Is there flexibility there?”

Script 2: The Competing Offer “I appreciate the offer and [Company] is my first choice. I do want to be transparent — I have another offer at [€X higher]. I'd love to find a way to make the numbers work here because I'm genuinely more excited about this role.”

Script 3: The Total Compensation “I understand the base salary is firm. Would you be open to discussing other parts of the package? I'm thinking about [signing bonus / extra PTO / remote flexibility / equity / professional development budget].”

Script 4: The Experience Premium “Given my [X years] of experience in [specific area] and the fact that I can [specific value-add that junior candidates can't], I believe a salary of [X] better reflects the impact I'll have from day one.”

Script 5: The Delayed Start “If budget is a constraint right now, would you be open to a 6-month salary review with a guaranteed increase to [X] based on performance metrics we agree on now?”

Key Negotiation Rules

1. 1.Never give your number first. Let them make the offer, then counter.
2. 2.Use specific numbers. €67,500 signals research; €70,000 signals a round guess.
3. 3.Negotiate via email when possible. It gives you time to think and creates a paper trail.
4. 4.Always be grateful. Frame it as “making this work for both of us,” never as a demand.
5. 5.Know your BATNA. (Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement). If you have no leverage, focus on non-salary benefits.

Beyond Salary: What Else to Negotiate

• ●Remote/hybrid flexibility
• ●Signing bonus
• ●Annual bonus target
• ●Equity/stock options
• ●PTO days
• ●Professional development budget
• ●Title upgrade
• ●Start date
• ●Relocation assistance

The Connection to Your Resume

Strong negotiation starts with a strong application. When your resume demonstrates clear, quantified impact, you have built-in talking points for the negotiation. “As you can see from my track record of [achievement from resume], I'm confident I'll bring similar results here.”