06-22-2026, 02:06 PM
Most developers are bad at salary negotiation because they treat it as confrontational rather than collaborative. Here's a framing that works better.
The key insight: the company has already decided they want you when they make an offer. They want to hire you. Negotiation is about finding the number that works for both sides, not fighting.
Never accept the first offer immediately.
Even if it's good. Say "thank you, I'm very excited about this role. I'd like to take a day to review the full package." This signals you're thoughtful, not desperate, and gives you time to think and research.
Research first.
Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and asking peers in similar roles all give you data. Know the market rate for your role, level, location, and company size before any conversation.
Give a number, not a range.
If you say £60-70k, they hear £60k. Say "based on my research and experience, I'm looking at £70k" - then stop talking. Silence is not your enemy here.
Counter higher than you expect to get.
If they offer £65k and you want £70k, counter at £75k. You'll likely meet in the middle.
Negotiate the whole package.
Base salary is only part of it. If they can't move on base: signing bonus, extra PTO, remote work flexibility, professional development budget, equity vesting schedule, earlier review date. Sometimes non-salary items are easier to approve.
Have an alternative.
The strongest negotiating position is another offer or being genuinely comfortable walking away. "I have another offer at X" is the most powerful sentence in negotiation - only say it if it's true.
Get it in writing before resigning anywhere.
Verbally agreed offers occasionally don't materialise as discussed.
The key insight: the company has already decided they want you when they make an offer. They want to hire you. Negotiation is about finding the number that works for both sides, not fighting.
Never accept the first offer immediately.
Even if it's good. Say "thank you, I'm very excited about this role. I'd like to take a day to review the full package." This signals you're thoughtful, not desperate, and gives you time to think and research.
Research first.
Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and asking peers in similar roles all give you data. Know the market rate for your role, level, location, and company size before any conversation.
Give a number, not a range.
If you say £60-70k, they hear £60k. Say "based on my research and experience, I'm looking at £70k" - then stop talking. Silence is not your enemy here.
Counter higher than you expect to get.
If they offer £65k and you want £70k, counter at £75k. You'll likely meet in the middle.
Negotiate the whole package.
Base salary is only part of it. If they can't move on base: signing bonus, extra PTO, remote work flexibility, professional development budget, equity vesting schedule, earlier review date. Sometimes non-salary items are easier to approve.
Have an alternative.
The strongest negotiating position is another offer or being genuinely comfortable walking away. "I have another offer at X" is the most powerful sentence in negotiation - only say it if it's true.
Get it in writing before resigning anywhere.
Verbally agreed offers occasionally don't materialise as discussed.