How should you negotiate salary after receiving an offer?
Thank them, ask for the full breakup, research the market range, then make one polite request backed by reasons such as a competing offer, skills or relocation costs. Be ready to accept their final answer gracefully.
Explain it simply
In mass campus hiring, fresher packages are usually fixed and not negotiable. Off-campus offers from startups and mid-sized companies often have some room, especially if you have a competing offer or a rare skill.
Negotiate on facts, not feelings: what similar roles pay, a real offer from another company, extra skills, or a costly relocation. Ask once, politely, with one number. If base pay cannot change, ask about a joining bonus, relocation support or an early review.
Example
Situation: Simran gets an off-campus offer of ₹5 LPA from a startup, and holds another offer of ₹5.6 LPA from a company she likes less.
Task: Ask for a better offer without risking the one she prefers.
Action: She thanks HR, asks for the CTC breakup, then writes: "I'm very keen on this role and would prefer to join you. I have another offer at ₹5.6 LPA. Is there flexibility to bring this closer to that? If base pay is fixed, a joining bonus would also help with my relocation to Bengaluru."
Result: The startup raises the offer to ₹5.4 LPA plus a small joining bonus, and she accepts.
What to say in the interview
"Thank you for the offer, I'm keen to join. Based on X, would there be flexibility to reach Y? If the base is fixed, I'd be open to a joining bonus or relocation support."
Common mistakes
- Negotiating in a campus drive where packages are fixed.
- Inventing a competing offer.
- Demanding instead of asking, or negotiating more than once.