Three sentences, used in the right order, have unlocked more compensation for Simonara candidates than any clever tactic you've read on Reddit. This is how recruiters actually hear your words on the other side of the phone — and how to use that to your advantage.
Rule 1 — Never give the first number
Whoever says a number first anchors the entire negotiation. If a recruiter asks "What are you looking for?", your answer is some version of:
"I'd love to understand the band for this role before I share specifics — I want to make sure we're even in the same ballpark before we go deep on comp."
If they insist, give a range, not a number, and anchor the bottom of your range at your actual target.
Rule 2 — Use the three magic sentences at the offer
When the written offer lands, respond within 24 hours with this exact structure:
Sentence 1 — Enthusiasm
"Thank you — I'm genuinely excited about this role and the team."
Sentence 2 — The anchor
"Based on what I'm seeing in the market for roles at this level, and my track record of [one specific result], I was expecting the base to land closer to $[X]."
Pick a number 10–20% above the offer. Not more. More than 20% without data reads as uninformed; 10–20% reads as prepared.
Sentence 3 — The open hand
"I'm flexible on how we get there — base, sign-on, equity, extra PTO, review cadence. Where do you have room?"
This single sentence is why the technique works. You've given them 5 levers to pull. They almost always pull one.
What to do with the counter
Whatever they offer, respond with: "Give me 24 hours to think it over carefully — I appreciate you going back for this." You almost always get a second small bump when you don't accept the counter immediately.
Three things to never do
- Don't negotiate over email alone. Get them on a call for the counter. Tone is 70% of this.
- Don't threaten competing offers you don't have. Recruiters sniff this out in one question.
- Don't negotiate on the sign-on at the expense of base. Base compounds. Sign-on doesn't.
When to stop pushing
If they come back and say "this is our final — we can't go higher on base, but we can offer [X]" — believe them, and decide. Pushing past a genuine final is where offers get rescinded. One ask + one follow-up is the sweet spot.
Negotiating a specific offer right now? A Simonara strategist will walk you through yours for free: book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you where the room usually is for that role and level.