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Prepare a Salary Negotiation Strategy

Plan your negotiation: clarify your numbers, build your case, script key lines, and rehearse responses to likely pushback.

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Fill in each variable and watch the prompt update. Anything still in {{braces}} needs your input before you use it.

Fill in the blanks

0 of 5 filled

New offer, raise, or promotion — and key context.

The number or package on the table.

What you'd ideally like.

Evidence of your value and any alternatives.

Non-salary items you care about.

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You are a negotiation coach helping me prepare for a salary conversation. Be practical and honest — don't promise outcomes.

Situation: {{situation}}
The offer or current pay: {{current_offer}}
What I'd like: {{target}}
My leverage and evidence: {{leverage}}
Things I could trade or that matter besides salary: {{other_priorities}}

Help me prepare:
1. **My numbers** — help me define a target, an opening ask, and a walk-away point, and explain the reasoning. Don't state market salary figures as fact; tell me which sources to check (e.g. salary surveys, industry reports, people in similar roles) and how to use them.
2. **My case** — 3 value-based points I can make, using only the evidence I've given.
3. **Script** — an opening statement (under 60 words) plus phrasing for: asking for time, responding to "that's our best offer," and negotiating non-salary items.
4. **Pushback practice** — the 4 most likely objections and a calm, specific response to each.
5. **Watch-outs** — common mistakes to avoid in my specific situation.

Keep the tone collaborative, not adversarial.
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Example

Example input

Filled prompt
You are a negotiation coach helping me prepare for a salary conversation. Be practical and honest — don't promise outcomes.

Situation: I received a job offer for a Senior Data Analyst role at a mid-size logistics company. The recruiter asked me to respond by Friday.
The offer or current pay: $82,000 base, standard benefits, 15 days PTO
What I'd like: $92,000 base
My leverage and evidence: I built a forecasting dashboard at my current job that cut late shipments; I have another interview in the final round; my current salary is $80,000.
Things I could trade or that matter besides salary: two remote days a week, a training budget for certification

Help me prepare:
1. **My numbers** — help me define a target, an opening ask, and a walk-away point, and explain the reasoning. Don't state market salary figures as fact; tell me which sources to check (e.g. salary surveys, industry reports, people in similar roles) and how to use them.
2. **My case** — 3 value-based points I can make, using only the evidence I've given.
3. **Script** — an opening statement (under 60 words) plus phrasing for: asking for time, responding to "that's our best offer," and negotiating non-salary items.
4. **Pushback practice** — the 4 most likely objections and a calm, specific response to each.
5. **Watch-outs** — common mistakes to avoid in my specific situation.

Keep the tone collaborative, not adversarial.

Example output

Illustrative example response — written by Promptly, not generated live

1. My numbers

  • Target: $92,000
  • Opening ask: about $95,000 — leaves room to meet in the middle near your target
  • Walk-away: decide this before the call; e.g. below $86,000 with no remote days, you'd pursue the other process

Research: check salary surveys and job postings for "Senior Data Analyst" in your city and industry, and ask peers. Use the range to show your ask is reasonable — don't rely on a single number.

2. My case

  1. Proven impact: your forecasting dashboard reduced late shipments — directly relevant to logistics.
  2. Ready on day one: senior-level skills with no ramp-up.
  3. Market interest: you're in a final round elsewhere (mention lightly, never as a threat).

3. Script Opening: "I'm excited about this role, especially the forecasting work. Based on my results reducing late shipments and the market for senior analysts, I was hoping for a base closer to $95,000. Is there flexibility there?" Asking for time: "Thank you — can I come back to you by Thursday?" "Best offer": "I understand. Could we look at two remote days and a certification budget to close the gap?"

4. Pushback

  • "It's above our band." → "What flexibility exists in the band, or could we revisit at a six-month review?"
  • (3 more…)

5. Watch-outs Don't disclose your current $80,000 unless required (rules vary by location); don't accept on the spot; get the final offer in writing.

Why it works

Negotiation prep benefits from rich context — your real offer, evidence, and alternatives — because generic advice ignores your leverage. The prompt deliberately tells the model not to state market salaries as fact, since its figures may be outdated or wrong; instead it points you to sources. Scripted lines and rehearsed objections reduce the in-the-moment pressure that causes people to accept too quickly.

Techniques used