Yes, You Should Negotiate (Even as a New Grad)
"But I don't have experience." "What if they rescind the offer?" "I should just be grateful to have a job."
These fears are common. They're also mostly unfounded. Here's the reality:
of employers expect candidates to negotiate, according to CareerBuilder
average increase when new grads negotiate, per Glassdoor data
Offers are almost never rescinded because you negotiated professionally.
If a company pulls an offer because you asked a reasonable question about compensation, that's a red flag about their culture—you dodged a bullet.
When NOT to Negotiate
There are a few situations where negotiation isn't appropriate:
Standardized programs
Some rotational programs, government jobs, and union positions have fixed salaries. If they tell you it's non-negotiable, believe them.
The offer already exceeds your research
If they offer $85K and your research shows the range is $70-80K, negotiating might seem tone-deaf. You can still ask about other benefits.
You have no leverage
If this is your only offer and you desperately need the job, a weak negotiation attempt might not be worth the risk. Sometimes accepting is the right move.
The 4-Step Negotiation Process
Do Your Research First
Before you can negotiate, you need to know what's reasonable. Use these sources:
- Levels.fyi - Best for tech roles, shows actual reported salaries
- Glassdoor - Good for general ranges across industries
- LinkedIn Salary - Useful for comparing by location
- Peers - Ask friends in similar roles what they make
Express Enthusiasm First
When you receive the offer, don't immediately jump to negotiation. Start positive:
"Thank you so much for the offer. I'm really excited about the opportunity to join [Company] and work on [specific project/team]. I'd like to take a day or two to review the details—when do you need my decision by?"
This buys you time to prepare and shows you're taking it seriously.
Make Your Ask
After reviewing, come back with a specific, justified request:
"I've done some research on market rates for this role in [City], and based on my [specific skill/experience/internship], I was hoping we could discuss a base salary of $X. Is there flexibility there?"
Key elements: Be specific (give a number), provide justification (your research + your value), and phrase it as a question (collaborative, not demanding).
Be Ready for Their Response
They'll respond in one of three ways:
"Yes, we can do that"
Great! Get it in writing.
"We can meet you partway"
Evaluate if it's acceptable. You can also ask about other benefits.
"The offer is firm"
Decide if you still want the job. You can negotiate other things (start date, signing bonus, PTO).
Email Template You Can Use
Subject: Re: [Position] Offer - [Your Name]
Hi [Recruiter/Hiring Manager Name], Thank you again for the offer to join [Company] as a [Position]. I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity to contribute to [specific team/project]. After reviewing the offer and researching market rates for similar roles in [City], I wanted to discuss the base salary. Based on my [relevant experience, skills, or internship], I was hoping we could explore a base salary of $[X]. I'm confident in the value I can bring to the team, particularly in [specific area], and I'm committed to making an impact from day one. Is there room to discuss this? I'm happy to jump on a call if that's easier. Thanks for your consideration, [Your Name]
If Salary Is Firm, Negotiate These Instead
Sometimes the base salary really is locked. That doesn't mean negotiation is over. Here's what else might be flexible:
Signing bonus
Often easier to approve than salary increases
Start date
More time before starting, or earlier if you need income
Remote work days
Even 1-2 days/week has value
Relocation assistance
If you're moving for the job
Professional development budget
Courses, conferences, certifications
Performance review timing
Earlier review = earlier potential raise
PTO days
Some companies have flexibility here
Equipment/setup budget
For remote or hybrid roles
Need Salary Data for Your Negotiation?
Check out our salary guide with real data for new grad roles across different industries and locations.
View Salary Data