Using Data to Counter Low Offers in Negotiations

Got a lowball offer? Here's the script that got me more (without risking the job) You've been searching for months The offer finally comes But!? It is 25% below your expectations You need this job A lot of people accept it or walk away. But there is a third option. I have faced this exact scenario. The initial offer was significantly below market rate and my own expectations… Here's what I did: First, I acknowledged their offer with genuine enthusiasm about the role. No negativity. No disappointment in my tone. Then I shared data: • 3 comparable roles at similar companies • My specific achievements that justified higher comp • The unique value I'd bring to their team The key phrasing that changed everything: "I'm incredibly excited about this opportunity. Based on my research and the value I'll deliver, I believe $X would be fair. Can we work together to get closer to that number?" Not "I need" or "I want" "I believe" and "Can we work together" They came back with 18% more than the original offer. My manager later told me they appreciated my collaborative approach. Most candidates either accept immediately or make demands. The truth about negotiation: Companies expect it They budget for it They respect it when done professionally Your move isn't about being greedy It's about establishing your value from day one What nobody tells you — The biggest risk isn't them pulling the offer It's you starting a job already feeling undervalued Have you negotiated an offer recently? Help others out — What worked for you?

The biggest negotiating win for my clients last year? $10,000 in 15 minutes. Here's how we did it. 1) We compared the offer to the 2024 Randstad Life Science Salary Guide and adjusted it for the geographic location. The evidence demonstrated that the offer was $5k under market. 2) We verified that information by comparing to publicly available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Again. $5k-$7k under market. 3) We drew attention to the fact that if my client left her current job, she'd miss out on a $5k bonus in the next three months. 4) We asked if there was a budget available to compensate for this through a signing bonus. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? $5k salary offer increase + $5k signing bonus. She made $10,000 over a 15 minute phone call. Not bad for a day's work. ---------- Next time you're negotiating a job offer, remember the power of data :)

If you accept the first salary offer, you just left money on the table. Most people do this. They get an offer, and instead of pushing back some… they just take it. That’s exactly what one of my students almost did, until I showed them how to negotiate like they should. Here’s what happened: They were working as a Systems Engineer and landed an offer for $10K more than their current salary. Not bad, right? But then they did some research. The market rate for their role was actually $10K-$20K HIGHER than what they were offered. So they came to me and said, “Broadus, I know I deserve more, but how do I ask for it?” This is what I told them: You don’t just ask for more money. You PROVE why you’re worth it. Here’s the exact script I gave them: 👉🏾 Hey [Recruiter’s Name], based on my research and experience, I’d love to revisit the salary discussion. Here are four key reasons why: 1️⃣ I’ve been in an engineering role for over a year and a half, gaining the necessary experience. 2️⃣ During interviews, hiring managers told me I exceeded expectations. 3️⃣ As an internal hire, I understand the company’s process, reducing ramp-up time. 4️⃣ I already have 70-80% of the required skills for this position. Based on industry data, this role in my location typically pays between $X and $Y. 👉🏾 What are the chances we can meet at [$X] instead? And guess what? The recruiter came back with a $10K increase. Here’s why this works: 👉🏾 It’s a logical, value-based argument, not an emotional plea. 👉🏾 It provides specific proof, you’re showing, not just telling. 👉🏾 It uses market data, you’re backing your ask with facts. 👉🏾 It’s a COLLABORATION, not a demand, the phrase “What are the chances?” makes it a discussion. If you’re about to negotiate your salary, do these three things: ✅ Research your salary range (Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, LinkedIn Salary Insights). ✅ List out your key value points, what makes you the best choice? ✅ Use this script and ask with confidence. The first offer? It’s NEVER their best offer. Negotiate. Ask. Demand your worth. If you want more real-world strategies to land high-paying cloud roles, drop a "Script" in the comments, and I will send you a script you can use on your negotiations!

Job seekers, here's the best negotiation advice I can give you this morning: Your salary negotiation isn't a place for hope or vague requests. It's where you clearly demonstrate your value with market data and specific accomplishments tied to the role you're accepting. Think of it as your business case for investment. Most candidates say things like: "I was hoping for something closer to $X because I really need it and I think I deserve more." Top-performing negotiators say things like: "Based on my research, similar roles at companies like ABC Corp and XYZ Inc are paying $150-165K for someone with my background. Given that, I improved team efficiency by 15% in my current role and have the stakeholder management skills you mentioned as critical, I'd like to discuss a starting salary of $160K." Whether it's salary, remote work, or start date, focus on value and market reality. The data doesn't show how many people accept first offers without negotiating. But my clients who follow this approach see an average increase of $8-20K in their final offers. Make this one change and watch your negotiation success rate climb. #salarynegotiation #joboffers #careeradvice