Salary negotiation
Negotiate your offer with confidence.
Received an offer? Congratulations! Before you respond, take time to evaluate the offer and understand your options. Most employers expect candidates to ask questions and negotiate professionally. This page covers the basics of salary negotiation and connects you to tools, resources, and support. For a deeper dive, practice salary negotiation in Vol Edge.
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Are you a graduate student?
This content is tailored for undergraduates.
Graduate students, see Academic Job Market Preparation
How this helps you
Negotiating an offer doesn’t start when the employer calls. It starts with research and preparation. This page will help you understand the key principles of salary negotiation, research salary ranges and UT alumni outcomes, and prepare for the conversation before it happens. You’ll also find additional resources, including salary negotiation practice in Vol Edge and support from your career coach.
Four principles of salary negotiation
Most successful salary negotiations happen before the offer arrives. These four principles can help you prepare, respond thoughtfully, and negotiate with confidence.
Know your value
Before you can negotiate effectively, you need a clear understanding of the value you bring. Consider the skills, experiences, internships, projects, leadership roles, and accomplishments that make you a strong candidate. Be prepared to articulate how your experiences align with the role and how you can contribute to the organization.
Do your research
Research salary ranges, benefits, and market conditions before the offer arrives.
- Research salary ranges using resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Glassdoor, Firsthand, and Salary.com.
- Review UT alumni salary outcomes for graduates from your major.
- Use cost-of-living calculators to compare locations and understand how far your salary may go.
- Consider the full compensation package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, bonuses, professional development funding, relocation assistance, and paid time off.
- Identify a target salary and a minimum acceptable salary before entering a negotiation conversation.
Make your ask
Most employers expect candidates to ask questions and negotiate professionally. When you receive an offer, thank the employer, ask for time to review the details, and respond within the agreed-upon timeframe.
If you’re asked about salary expectations early in the process, avoid providing a specific number before you understand the role and compensation package. Instead, focus on learning more about the position and researching a fair range.
Practice out loud
Negotiation is a skill, and skills improve with practice. Before speaking with an employer, take time to practice what you want to say. Review your talking points, rehearse how you’ll discuss your value, and prepare for common questions.
Remember: salary negotiations are business conversations. Employers make decisions based on market conditions, budgets, and the value you bring to the role, not personal expenses or financial circumstances.
Salary calculators and UT alumni data
Before you can negotiate effectively, you need data. Research can help you understand what employers typically pay for similar roles, identify a target salary, and evaluate whether an offer is competitive for the position and location.
UT alumni salary data
Start with UT data. Before comparing your offer to national averages, review salary outcomes for graduates from your major. Understanding what UT graduates are earning can help you evaluate an offer, identify a reasonable target salary, and better understand what graduates with similar backgrounds are earning after college.
Industry salary calculators
Use the resources below to research salary ranges by industry, occupation, and geographic location. As you review the data, consider three numbers:
- Employer salary range: the range established for the position.
- Target salary: the salary you hope to achieve through negotiation.
- Minimum acceptable salary: the lowest salary you would realistically accept.
Salary research tools:
What to say during the negotiation
Negotiation conversations can feel uncomfortable, especially if it’s your first job offer. Rather than memorizing a script, use the GAIN framework to guide the conversation: gratitude, acknowledging the gap, illustrating your expectations, and negotiating with confidence.
Gratitude and excitement
Start by thanking the employer for the offer and expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Example
“Thank you so much for the offer. I’m excited about the opportunity and appreciate the time you’ve invested throughout the hiring process.”
Acknowledge the gap
Explain why you’re seeking additional consideration based on your research and the market.
Example
“After reviewing the offer and comparing it to my research, I was hoping we could discuss the compensation package further.”
Illustrate expectations
Share the salary range you’ve identified through your research.
Example
“Based on my research, I was expecting a salary in the range of $X to $Y. Is there flexibility to move closer to that range?”
Negotiate with confidence
Remain professional, collaborative, and open to discussion. Remember that salary is only one part of the overall offer.
Example
“I would really love to make this work and am excited about the opportunity. If the salary is fixed, are there other aspects of the offer we could discuss, such as relocation assistance, professional development support, or remote work flexibility?”
Do this next
Received an offer? Take time to review the compensation package, research salary data, and think through your options before responding. For a deeper dive, practice salary negotiation in Vol Edge. If you’d like to talk through a specific offer or practice the conversation, connect with your career coach.
Want a coach’s eyes on your offer?
A career coach can help you research a fair range, weigh the full compensation package, and rehearse the conversation before you respond. An offer review is a 30-minute appointment, so drop in or schedule online.
Career Coaching & Education
Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration
865-974-5435