Should I negotiate my first offer? — yes (and here's the email)
Short answer
Usually worth doing — once, politely, anchored to market data. This site doesn't quote statistics it can't verify: no outcome can be promised, and employers differ. What you control is the quality of the ask — calm, specific, easy to answer. Even a small adjustment can matter over a career. Below: the exact email and what not to say.
You're here because
- It's your first offer and you're afraid you'll torch it
- You think you have no leverage
- You don't want to seem ungrateful
- You're not sure how much room there really is
- You want a yes/no decision and a script — not advice
The exact email to send
Hi [HIRING_MANAGER],
Thank you for the offer to join [COMPANY] as [ROLE]. I'm genuinely excited about the team and [SPECIFIC_PROJECT].
Before I respond, one quick comp question. Looking at Glassdoor / Levels.fyi for [ROLE] in [CITY/REMOTE], the typical range is $[LOW]–$[HIGH]. The current offer is in the lower half of that range.
Would there be flexibility to adjust the base to $[TARGET — +5–10%]? If base is fixed, I'd also be open to a signing bonus or earlier start.
I want to be upfront: [COMPANY] is my top choice. I'm planning to accept either way.
Thanks,
[YOUR_NAME]
- Built for the moment a written offer or deadline lands — not casual browsing.
- Written for short decision windows — often only days.
- Designed for people who don't negotiate often.
- Real workplace register — not internet bravado.
What NOT to say
- "I won't accept unless…" — ultimatums on first offers don't work and aren't needed.
- Apologizing for asking. One thank-you is enough; over-apologizing weakens the ask.
- "I read on Reddit that…" — never cite a source you can't link.
- Ignoring the deadline. Always respond within the offer window, even if asking for an extension.
- Negotiating verbally on the call. Always email — written record protects everyone.
An illustrative example
Two engineers got identical $76K offers from the same company. Engineer A accepted on the spot. Engineer B sent the email above asking for $80K. Engineer B got $78K + $3K signing. Over 10 years of compounded raises (typical 4%/year), Engineer B's bump compounds to roughly +$28K in lifetime earnings — from one email at age 22.
Why this works
Most first-job candidates don't negotiate, so the bar is extremely low. A polite, market-anchored ask returns a small adjustment most of the time — and signals you're a professional, not entitled.
What to do next
Send the email today. If they say no, confirm the original terms and decide from there — the Counter-Offer Kit includes the polite acceptance email so the relationship stays warm.
Before you send — quick check
- Do you know your walk-away number?
- Do you have a Levels.fyi or market band to anchor to?
- Do you have a 3-business-day deadline written in?
If you answered "not sure" to any of these, the Counter-Offer Kit walks you through all three.
Related reads
FAQ
Will my offer get rescinded if I negotiate?
No one can promise that — but the commonly reported causes are avoidable: aggressive language and fake competing offers. A polite, professional, honest ask removes the triggers you control.
Is it really worth negotiating $3K on a first offer?
Yes. Raises are usually a percentage of base and future offers anchor on your previous comp, so an early difference compounds for the rest of your career.
What if my offer says "final"?
Some first-job offers are genuinely final and some aren't — "final" can be default phrasing. One polite question can confirm; if it is final, you decide on the original terms.