The job offer is on the table, but instead of emailing it over, they want to discuss salary over the phone.
Your heart races. You want to sound confident — but also not blow the opportunity. What do you say? What don’t you say?
This guide will walk you through how to negotiate salary over the phone, step-by-step. Whether you're caught off-guard or planning the call in advance, you'll learn how to stay composed, sound professional, and walk away with more money in your pocket.
Why Salary Negotiations Often Happen Over the Phone
Hiring managers don’t always give you the luxury of time. Some want to “chat” about the offer quickly. Others are testing how well you handle pressure. Either way, you have more power than you think — if you prepare.
Before the Call: Get Your Numbers Straight
Before you take that call, make sure you have:
A Clear Salary Target
Don’t go in guessing. Use tools like Levels.fyi, Team Blind, Glassdoor, or industry-specific salary reports to back up your target range.
A Script You’ve Practiced Out Loud
Yes, say it out loud. Knowing what to say is very different from sounding like you mean it.
Example:
“Thanks for the offer — I’m really excited about this role. Based on my research and experience, I’d like to to be closer to [$X–$Y] in total compensation.”
During the Call: What to Say and How to Say It
1. Stay Warm — But Don’t Say Yes Right Away
Keep the tone friendly and collaborative.
Example:
“Thanks for walking me through the offer — I appreciate it. I’d love to talk through a few pieces before we move forward.”
2. Buy Yourself Time If You Need It
Caught off-guard? Don’t feel pressured to answer immediately.
Try this:
“This is really helpful context. Do you mind if I take a little time to review and get back to you later today or tomorrow?”
3. Ask Smart Questions
Sometimes you can negotiate without throwing out a number.
Ask:
“Is there flexibility on the base salary?”
“Can we revisit the bonus structure?”
“What’s the typical range for this level internally?”
These keep the conversation open and give you leverage.
4. Be Ready to Handle Pushback
If they say:
“That’s above our budget,”You can say:“Totally understand — though based on the value I’ll bring in [specific area], I’d love to explore a bit more room if possible.”
What NOT to Do
Don’t apologize for negotiating.
Don’t accept on the spot unless you’re 100% ready.
Don’t lowball yourself out of fear.
What If They Say No?
Negotiation isn’t failure-proof. If they can’t move on salary, explore:
Signing bonus
Accelerated review cycle
Remote work flexibility
Education or training budget
Equity (if applicable)
Negotiation is about the whole package — not just one number.
Don’t Let the Phone Freak You Out
It’s easy to feel flustered on the phone, but remember: they want you. They already made an offer. That’s your leverage. The right prep can mean thousands more in your pocket — and a stronger start in your new role.
Ready to Go In With a Plan?
Book a 1:1 Salary Strategy Call
We’ll walk through your numbers, script your talk track, and prep you to own the conversation — even over the phone.
You’ll also receive a comparative salary audit and a customized benchmarking report to make sure your ask is backed by data, not guesswork.
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