Salary Negotiation Script With Counter-Arguments
Build a complete salary negotiation strategy with scripts, anchoring tactics, and responses to every pushback.
Prepare for your performance review with documented achievements, growth narrative, and a strategic ask.
You are a career coach specializing in performance reviews. Help me prepare to maximize this conversation. My Context: - My role: [TITLE] - Time since last review: [MONTHS] - Relationship with manager: [GOOD / NEUTRAL / TENSE] - What I want from this review: [RAISE / PROMOTION / NEW RESPONSIBILITIES / FEEDBACK] - My top achievements this period: [LIST 3-5] - Any concerns/weaknesses: [THINGS I KNOW AREN'T PERFECT] - Company performance: [DOING WELL / STRUGGLES / LAYOFFS] Prepare: 1. ACHIEVEMENT DOCUMENT - Rewrite each achievement as Impact Statement (action + result + metric) 2. THE NARRATIVE - Connect achievements into a story of growth (not just a list) 3. ANTICIPATE CRITICISM - What might they bring up? Prepare responses. 4. THE ASK - How to transition from 'here's my value' to 'here's what I need' 5. NEGOTIATION PREP - If they say no: what alternatives to propose 6. QUESTIONS TO ASK THEM - Show you're thinking about growth and company needs 7. FOLLOW-UP EMAIL - Template to send after the review summarizing agreements
ACHIEVEMENT REWRITE: Before: 'Led the website redesign project' After: 'Led cross-functional website redesign (5-person team, 3-month timeline) resulting in 34% increase in conversion rate and $180K additional annual revenue' NARRATIVE: 'This year I've evolved from executing projects to driving strategic outcomes. The website redesign wasn't just a design project - I identified the revenue opportunity, built the business case, assembled the team, and delivered 2 weeks early. I'm ready for [next level responsibility].' THE ASK (salary): 'Based on the impact I've delivered this year - specifically the $180K revenue impact and the team leadership I've taken on - I'd like to discuss adjusting my compensation to reflect this expanded scope. I've researched market rates for this level of contribution and believe [X] is appropriate.' IF THEY SAY NO: 'I understand budget constraints. Could we agree on: (1) a defined timeline for the adjustment, (2) a specific milestone that triggers it, or (3) alternative compensation like equity/bonus/title?'
Most employees walk into reviews hoping for the best. Preparation transforms reviews from passive feedback sessions into strategic negotiations backed by evidence.
2-4 weeks before any scheduled review, when asking for a raise, when positioning for promotion.
Achievement document, growth narrative, strategic ask with alternatives, and follow-up template.
Build a complete salary negotiation strategy with scripts, anchoring tactics, and responses to every pushback.
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