Most new grads accept the first number they're offered, out of relief or fear of seeming ungrateful. Almost every offer has room to negotiate — and almost every recruiter expects a counter. Knowing how to evaluate and negotiate an offer is worth more per hour than nearly anything else in the job search.
Two offers with the same base salary can be worth very different amounts once bonus, equity, benefits, and growth trajectory are accounted for.
Negotiating politely and directly, in writing or on a call, is normal and expected — these scripts are starting points to adapt to your voice.
Recruiters build negotiation room into most new-grad offers because they expect a counter. Asking politely rarely damages an offer — companies very rarely rescind offers over a reasonable, respectful counter.
Sign-on bonuses, start dates, extra vacation days, and remote flexibility are all frequently negotiable — sometimes more flexible than base itself, since they don't affect internal pay bands the same way.
Whoever names a number first often anchors the negotiation. Where possible, ask about the budgeted range before stating your own expectation.
Verbal agreements over a call can be misremembered or change. Always ask for the finalized terms in a written offer letter before resigning from another role or making firm plans.
A lower base with strong equity, a better 401(k) match, and lower cost of living can beat a higher base elsewhere once everything is actually totaled — always compare total compensation.