Salary Negotiation in 2025: Scripts and Strategies That Work

Salary Negotiation in 2025: Scripts and Strategies That Work

By Roleedge October 02, 2025

Most professionals know they should negotiate salary—but few do it well. The biggest reason is fear: fear of rejection, fear of losing the offer, fear of being seen as greedy. The reality is different. Companies expect you to negotiate. Recruiters are trained to handle it, and most offers include room for discussion.

Not negotiating is costly. Research shows professionals leave 10–30% of their lifetime earnings on the table by accepting the first offer. Over a career, that’s not just lakhs—it’s crores lost. The good news? Negotiation doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right timing, framing, and scripts, you can increase your offer while earning respect from recruiters.

This guide breaks down the strategies and word-for-word scripts that have helped candidates at Bain, Amazon, JP Morgan, and startups like Meesho secure stronger compensation packages. By the end, you’ll know how to negotiate confidently and walk away with a deal that reflects your true value.

Step 1 – Understand Recruiter Psychology

Recruiters negotiate for a living. They expect pushback, and they don’t take it personally.

Key points to remember:

• Salary bands exist. Offers are rarely “final.” Companies set ranges for each role and almost always have some flexibility.
• Polite asks don’t cost you the offer. A respectful negotiation is seen as professionalism, not arrogance.
• Confidence signals leadership. Asking for what you’re worth shows self-awareness, market knowledge, and maturity.

The mindset shift: negotiation isn’t confrontation. It’s part of the process recruiters expect.

Step 2 – Timing Is Everything

One of the easiest ways to weaken your position is to talk numbers too early.

• Don’t share expectations in early rounds. If asked, redirect: “I’d like to understand the role better before discussing compensation.”
• Best time to negotiate: After you receive a written offer, before you sign. That’s when you have maximum leverage—they’ve chosen you and don’t want to restart hiring.

Timing isn’t just strategy—it’s leverage.

Step 3 – Use Anchors (With Scripts)

Anchoring is setting a number that frames the discussion. If you go first, aim high but within market reality.

Example Script:
“Thank you for the offer. Based on my research of market benchmarks and the responsibilities of this role, I was expecting something closer to ₹35–38L. Is there flexibility to revisit the number?”

Why this works:

• Starts with gratitude.
• References market data, not just personal desire.
• Uses a range, making it harder to shut down.

Recruiters might not give you the top anchor, but they’ll usually move closer to it.

Step 4 – Negotiate the Whole Package

Salary isn’t just base pay. Smart candidates negotiate across multiple levers:

• Base salary: The foundation of your pay.
• Performance bonus: Incentives tied to hitting targets.
• Joining/signing bonus: One-time payments to sweeten the deal.
• Stock options or ESOPs: Especially valuable at growth-stage startups.
• Relocation allowance: Covers moving costs if you’re changing cities.

By opening more levers, you create flexibility. If the recruiter can’t move base, they may adjust bonuses or benefits.

Step 5 – Handle Pushback

Every recruiter will test your resolve. Don’t panic when you hear:
“This is our best offer.”

Example Response:
“I understand. If the base truly isn’t flexible, perhaps we can explore other elements like a signing bonus, performance incentives, or an accelerated promotion cycle?”

This does two things:

1. Keeps the conversation collaborative.
2. Shows you’re solution-oriented, not rigid.

Even if they hold firm, you’ve signaled professionalism and planted seeds for future raises.

Conclusion

Salary negotiation in 2025 isn’t about confrontation—it’s about collaboration. Companies won’t rescind offers for respectful asks. In fact, negotiation shows confidence, maturity, and leadership.

By understanding recruiter psychology, timing your ask, anchoring effectively, and exploring the full package, you’ll walk into negotiations with clarity and calm. Remember, you’re not just asking for more money—you’re demonstrating that you value yourself appropriately, and that’s something companies respect.

The biggest risk isn’t negotiating—it’s staying silent. Over a career, that silence can cost you crores. With the right scripts and strategy, you’ll not only secure a stronger offer but also set the tone for how you’re valued in every role that follows.

Want personalised negotiation coaching with scripts tailored to your industry?

Book a Career Strategy Call today and explore our Career Acceleration page for more tools and resources.