Negotiating your salary is about more than just securing a better paycheck—it affects your earning potential for years to come. Studies show that failing to negotiate early in your career can cost you over $1.5 million in lifetime earnings due to smaller raises and bonuses down the line.
Whether you’re negotiating an internship stipend, your first full-time job, or a graduate-level position, this guide will teach you how to research salaries, define your ideal pay range, counteroffer effectively, and use ChatGPT to practice before your conversation.
Step 1: Research & Understand Your Worth
Before discussing salary with an employer, you need a solid understanding of the typical pay range for your role, industry, and location. Employers expect candidates to come prepared, and having salary data to support your request will make you a stronger negotiator. Gathering insights from multiple sources will give you confidence and leverage in salary discussions.
🔍 Where to Research Salary Data
There are multiple ways to find salary data. Use these tools to create a realistic salary range:
- Handshake Salary Insights – Exclusive salary data for students and recent grads.
- Glassdoor, Payscale, & LinkedIn Salary – Reports from employees in similar roles.
- BLS.gov (Bureau of Labor Statistics) – Government-based wage data by industry.
- Company Job Listings – Some postings include salary ranges—compare multiple listings.
- Networking with Professionals – Connect with alumni or industry professionals on LinkedIn to get insider salary insights.
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “What is the typical salary for a [job title] with [X] years of experience in [location]?”
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “Give me three questions to ask a professional about salary expectations in [industry].”
Step 2: Define Your Salary Range (ZOPA Method)
Once you’ve gathered salary data, the next step is to define your ideal range—also known as the Zone of Possible Agreement (ZOPA). This is the salary window where your expectations and the employer’s budget overlap. Understanding your ZOPA helps ensure you don’t undersell yourself or aim too high and risk pricing yourself out.
🎯 How to Calculate Your Salary Range
1️⃣ Identify the market rate – Based on research, find the salary range for someone with your experience.
2️⃣ Determine your “ideal” salary – The amount you’d be thrilled to earn.
3️⃣ Set your “walk-away” number – The lowest offer you’d accept before considering other opportunities.
📌 Example:
- Industry research: Salaries range from $55,000–$70,000.
- Your goal: Aim for $65,000, but you won’t accept below $60,000.
- Employer’s offer: If they offer $58,000, it’s below your ZOPA—time to negotiate upward!
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “Help me define my ZOPA for a [job title] role with a typical salary range of [$X–$Y]. What should my ideal and minimum numbers be?”
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “How can I politely explain to an employer that their offer is below my expected salary range and ask for an adjustment?”
Step 3: How to Answer Salary Questions in an Interview
Employers often ask about salary expectations early in the hiring process. The goal is to avoid stating a number too soon. Instead, you want the employer to share their budget first so you can adjust your response accordingly.
💬 Best Responses to Salary Questions
✅ If You Want to Delay the Discussion:
“I’m excited about this role, and my priority is finding the right fit. I’d love to learn more about the job responsibilities before discussing salary. Could you share the salary range for this position?”
✅ If You’ve Researched the Market:
“Based on industry data and my experience, salaries for this role typically range from $60,000 to $70,000. What range have you budgeted for this position?”
✅ If Asked What It Would Take for You to Accept:
“I’m highly interested in this opportunity. Compensation is important, but I’m also considering the full benefits package. I’d love to hear more about what’s included.”
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “How can I frame my salary expectation so that I leave room for negotiation?”
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “Generate a professional response if an interviewer asks me for my salary expectations, but I don’t want to give a number first.”
Step 4: How to Counteroffer & Negotiate with Confidence
If the employer’s offer falls below your expectations, you don’t have to accept it immediately! Instead, use data and persuasion to negotiate a better outcome.
📢 Negotiation Example
Employer: “We’d like to offer you $58,000 for this position.”
You: “Thank you! I’m really excited about this opportunity. Based on my research and the typical salary for similar roles, I was expecting closer to $65,000. Is there room for adjustment?”
📌 Possible Employer Responses & How to React
- They match your request → 🎉 Accept the offer!
- They offer a smaller raise ($60K–$62K) → 🤝 Consider negotiating benefits.
- They say salary is non-negotiable → 💡 Ask for perks like a signing bonus or extra PTO.
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “Act as an employer offering me a $58,000 salary. I’ll negotiate for $65,000, and you respond.”
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “Write a counteroffer email that professionally requests a higher salary.”
Step 5: Negotiating Beyond Salary
Salary is just one part of a job offer. If the employer is firm on salary, consider negotiating other benefits that add long-term value.
🔹 Key Perks to Ask For:
- 💰 Signing Bonus – A one-time payout for accepting the role.
- 🏡 Remote Work or Hybrid Options – Flexibility in where and how you work.
- 📆 Extra PTO – More vacation or personal days.
- 📚 Tuition Reimbursement – Funding for grad school or certifications.
- 📈 401(k) Match & Stock Options – Long-term financial growth.
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “What are the most valuable benefits I should negotiate if salary is non-negotiable?”
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “Give me a script for negotiating additional PTO if an employer won’t raise my salary.”
Step 6: Confirm the Final Offer in Writing
Once negotiations are done, always get the final offer in writing to ensure all agreed-upon terms are documented.
📧 Follow-Up Email Example:
Subject: Follow-Up on Job Offer Discussion
Dear [Hiring Manager],
Thank you again for offering me the [Job Title] position! I’m excited to join [Company Name] and contribute to [specific project or goal].
I appreciate our discussion regarding compensation. To confirm, my final salary will be [$X] with [any additional negotiated benefits]. Please let me know if this aligns with the final offer details.
Looking forward to starting!
Best,
[Your Name]
🔹 ChatGPT Prompt: “Write a professional email confirming the final negotiated salary and benefits package.”
🚀 Final Takeaways
✔ Do your research—know what salaries are fair in your field.
✔ Define your ZOPA—your ideal and minimum salary range.
✔ Never name a number first—turn the question back to the employer.
✔ Negotiate beyond salary—ask for PTO, signing bonuses, and career growth opportunities.
✔ Use ChatGPT to practice before your negotiation.
Need help? Schedule an appointment with OCPD today!
Source: ChatGPT. (2025, March 19). Salary Negotiation Resource Guide. OpenAI.
This content was edited for clarity and accuracy by Dr. Lucas Gorham, Senior Associate Director for the Office of Career & Professional Development at the University of Redlands. Connect with him on LinkedIn!
