What happens on the real call
You got the offer. The recruiter is friendly, says the team is excited, and then names a number. Most people say "That sounds great" within seconds — and the negotiation is over before it started. Only about 3 in 10 US workers asked for more pay the last time they were hired, and about 2 in 3 of those who asked got more than the first offer (Pew Research Center, 2023).
The hard part is not knowing what to say. It is saying it calmly while someone tells you the budget is fixed.
How to negotiate a job offer in four moves
- Thank them and ask for the offer in writing. "Thank you, I'm excited about this role. Could you send me the full offer in writing so I can review it?"
- Find your number. Look at what your job pays in your state. PayCall shows the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics range for your job and suggests a target and an opening number.
- Counter with one specific number. "Based on the market range for this role and what I'd bring in the first year, I'm asking for $X." Then stop talking.
- Handle the push-back. "That's above our budget" is an opening, not a no. Ask what flexibility they have, and look at the whole package: sign-on bonus, start date, remote days, an earlier review.
What the practice call is like
You set up your situation in under a minute: job, state, the offer and your target. Then you talk — out loud — with an AI hiring manager. It has a hidden budget it won't reveal, uses real objections ("We pay everyone at this level the same"), and only moves when your arguments are good.
After the call you get a score and your biggest mistake with better words to use next time. With a pass, you also see how high the employer could have gone, what you left on the table, and a personal script and email for your real conversation.
Who it's for
Anyone in the US holding an offer — first job or tenth. You can choose a friendly HR partner, a tough hiring manager, a tight budget or a lowballer, and practice as often as you need before you call back.