---
user-invocable: true
name: offer-negotiation
description: Negotiate job offers, compensation, or personal deals
tokens: ~400
cloud-ok: true
---

# Offer Negotiation
#claudeai

## When to Use
You received an offer (job, consulting, contract) and want to negotiate better terms.

## What I Need
- What's the offer? (salary, equity, terms)
- What do you want?
- What's your BATNA? (Best Alternative To Negotiated Agreement)

## The Framework

### 1. Know Your Numbers

**Before negotiating, know:**
- Market rate for the role/service
- Your minimum acceptable ("walk away" number)
- Your ideal target
- Their likely budget range

### 2. Negotiation Leverage

| High Leverage | Low Leverage |
|---------------|--------------|
| Multiple offers | Only option |
| Unique skills they need | Easily replaceable |
| They reached out to you | You applied cold |
| Time pressure on them | You need it fast |
| Strong BATNA | No alternative |

### 3. The Conversation

**Step 1: Express enthusiasm (but don't accept)**
"I'm really excited about this opportunity. Thank you for the offer."

**Step 2: Ask for time**
"I'd like to take a day to review the details. Can I follow up tomorrow?"

**Step 3: Make your ask**
"I'm very interested. Based on [reason], I was hoping we could get to [target]."

**Step 4: Justify with market/value**
"Based on market data and the scope of the role, $X is more in line with what I'd expect."

**Step 5: Be specific**
"Would $X base with Y equity be possible?" (not "can you do better?")

### 4. Negotiation Tactics

**Anchor high (but reasonable)**
Your first number sets the range. Don't lowball yourself.

**Negotiate package, not just salary**
- Base salary
- Bonus/commission
- Equity (amount, vesting, cliff)
- Start date
- Title
- Remote work
- PTO
- Signing bonus

**Use silence**
After stating your ask, stop talking. Let them respond.

**Don't negotiate against yourself**
If they say "that's too high," ask what they can do. Don't immediately lower.

## Script Templates

**Initial response:**
"Thank you so much for this offer - I'm excited about the role. I'd like to take a day to review the details. Is it okay if I follow up tomorrow with any questions?"

**Making the ask:**
"I've thought about it and I'm definitely interested. The role is a great fit. On compensation, I was hoping we could get closer to $X. That's based on [market data / my experience / scope of role]. Is there flexibility there?"

**If they say no:**
"I understand the base might be fixed. Are there other parts of the package that have flexibility? I'm thinking about [equity/bonus/signing bonus/start date]."

**Accepting:**
"I appreciate you working with me on this. I'm happy to accept at $X. I'm excited to get started."

## Output Format

```
## Negotiation Plan: [Offer Type]

**Current Offer:**
[Details of what they offered]

**Market Data:**
[What's typical for this role/service]

**Your Position:**
- Walk-away number: $X
- Target: $Y
- Stretch: $Z
- BATNA: [Your alternative]

**Leverage Assessment:** High / Medium / Low

**Ask Strategy:**
1. Primary ask: [What to request first]
2. Fallback: [If they say no]
3. Non-monetary: [Other things to negotiate]

**Script:**
[Customized language for the conversation]

**Likely Objections:**
- "[Objection]" → Response: "[Your response]"
```

## Red Lines
Know what you won't accept and be willing to walk away:
- Below-market compensation with no upside
- Terms that feel unfair or disrespectful
- Role that doesn't match what was discussed