How to negotiate a salary offer?

TL;DR

To negotiate a salary offer, do not accept the first number by default, because almost every offer has room and the people who negotiate consistently end up far ahead. Keep the conversation collaborative rather than combative, and negotiate the whole package, not just base pay, since employers usually have flexibility to reward you in several ways.

Insights

The first rule is simply to negotiate at all. Most offers have more room than they look, and the people who treat every offer and every review as a chance to negotiate end up far ahead of those who take the first number. The key is to keep it collaborative, not a fight. Ask questions, let the other side explain their constraints, and work with them toward a number, rather than making flat demands that put them on the defensive.

It also helps to remember that the person across the table usually has more flexibility than the first offer suggests, and can reward you in many different ways. So negotiate the whole package, not only the base salary. Bonus, title, start date, scope, and benefits can all be part of the conversation. Make it easy for them to say yes by showing why you are worth it and being someone they actually want on the team.