Salary negotiation script
A polite, confident script to ask for a better offer or raise, with replies to common pushback. Paste this prompt into ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok or Claude, change the parts in brackets to suit you, and generate.
- Written for
- ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Claude
- Status
- Tested 9 Oct 2026 in Grok, 9 Oct 2026 (one run; model id not exposed)
- Test settings
- The page's exact default prompt was run once in Grok on 9 Oct 2026. The default details already written on the page were the input. They are illustrative, not a record of a real event. ChatGPT and Gemini were not used. The first result was kept.
- Variability
- A different set of details, or another run, will change the wording. This is the first result for the defaults on this page.
Prompt
Help me prepare for a salary conversation. Situation: I received a job offer for a Senior Analyst role and want to negotiate before accepting What I am asking for: a base salary 12% higher than the offer Facts that support my ask: 5 years in credit analysis; led a team of 3; cut loan processing time from 10 days to 6 Write: 1. A short opening (3–4 sentences) that thanks them, restates my interest and makes the ask clearly. 2. A 3-point case using only the facts I gave. Do not invent numbers, market data or achievements. 3. Replies to four likely pushbacks: "budget is fixed", "that's above our range", "let's revisit later", and "what's your current salary?". Keep each reply to 2–3 sentences. 4. Two fallback asks that are not base pay (for example review date, joining bonus, leave, learning budget). 5. A one-line close that keeps things warm. Tone: calm, respectful, firm. Plain English, no jargon. Keep the whole script under 350 words. This is general guidance, not legal or financial advice. After the script, offer a shorter version I can say in under one minute.
Customise
For example: your own situation.
For example: a base salary 12% higher than the offer.
For example: your own facts.
Fields start with illustrative values; replace them with your own facts. The prompt updates as you type. Copy prompt copies your version.
Example output
Actual tested output. The notes used for this result are an example, not a real event. This box is not copied. Replace the notes above with your own before you paste the prompt.
1. Opening Thank you for the Senior Analyst offer. I am interested, and I want to settle pay before I accept. I am asking for a base salary 12% higher than the offer. 2. Case I am relying on three facts only. I have 5 years in credit analysis. I led a team of 3. I cut loan processing time from 10 days to 6. 3. Pushbacks Budget is fixed: I understand if that budget is already set. I still ask you to consider a base 12% above the offer, for those three facts. If base pay cannot move, I would like a fallback that is not salary. That's above our range: I hear that this sits above the range you planned. The ask is still that 12% difference, for the same three facts. If the range will not move, tell me which non-salary term you can approve now. Let's revisit later: I want pay agreed before I accept, not after I join. A later review is a fallback only if the base truly cannot change. Please tell me which of those you can do. What's your current salary?: I want to stay on this offer and the 12% gap, not on my current salary. The three facts above are the reason for the ask. If you still need my current salary, say what decision it would change. 4. Fallbacks A review date written into the offer, if base pay stays put. A joining bonus or a learning budget, amount left for you to name. 5. Close and I would be glad to accept once we agree. Under one minute Thank you for the Senior Analyst offer. I want the role and ask for a base 12% higher. I have 5 years in credit analysis, I led a team of 3, and I cut loan processing time from 10 days to 6. If the base cannot move, we can discuss a written review date or a joining bonus. I hope we can agree so I can accept. This is general guidance, not legal or financial advice.
How to use it
- Open ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok or Claude.
- Paste the prompt and replace the [BRACKETS] with your details.
- Review names, facts and the requested format; follow up with corrections or missing details.
How to use this prompt
- Fill Customise with your real details. Do not let the tool guess a missing fact. Write the missing information clearly if you need to.
- Press Copy prompt and paste it into the AI app named above. This page copies the prompt. The answer is created in the external app.
- Check names, facts, numbers, language and the format you asked for. If something is wrong or incomplete, ask for a correction.
Good to know
- The AI cannot know your company's pay bands; check any figure you ask for against your own research. Run once in Grok on 9 Oct 2026 using the illustrative defaults on this page. Check the draft against your own facts before you use it.
- Check facts before you rely on the answer.
