[Xcelerate]

So, as a new employee out of college, if someone offers 100K, and you reply with "130K and we have a deal" are you going to be 1) laughed at and rejected 2) rejected 3) considered?

I've always been one to just accept whatever -- "Yeah, that sounds good!" -- but I'm consciously preparing myself to avoid this tendency after I finish grad school.

[vidarh]

You will almost certainly be considered. I've negotiated my offers up anything from 20% to 50%, which means usually my first counter-offer was higher than that.

I'd never just say yes.

By the time someone has made the decision to make you an offer, they have invested time in you, and will be psychologically invested in their decision - nobody likes "losing out", and so they will look for reasons to meet you. As long as your counter-offer is not ridiculous (and tacking on 30% is not), they will negotiate.

Just don't across as making hard demands, and give reasons even if they're total nonsense. People yield more easily if you give them an excuse to.

The irony is that people also tend to feel they made a better deal if they have to fight for it, even if they end up giving a lot.

[StockOptionCnsl]

Well said.

[gonehome]

I would state it a bit more eloquently and you'll probably get 110-115k.

The decision to hire is expensive, if they've already made an offer there is usually some room for negotiation either through salary or something else depending on the company (equity, time, travel).

If you were offered 100k and said that you'd love to work at the company, but would be much more comfortable at 120k they'll probably move a little bit just to close you.

Worst case is they'll get back to you and say that they're not able to move from their original offer in which case you can accept without worrying about it.

[SatvikBeri]

You will probably get a bit more. The worst case is pretty much that they respond "take it or leave it". You will almost never get rejected for negotiating-the company has invested a lot in getting to the point where they made the offer, and would really like to close.

(Of course, saying "130k and we have a deal" is a pretty terrible way to negotiate. See patio11's blog at kalzumeus.com or Ramit Sethi's book for a substantially better approach to negotiating compensation.)