Your job during interviews is to communicate why you are the most relevant fit for the role and get the offer. This usually is not the time to negotiate salary. 

If the Interviewer Asks About Salary History and Requirements 

Consider postponing the discussion. Don’t name a number yet. You have less information than the employer does, and naming a salary early can disqualify you or leave money on the table. 

Instead, try one of these deflection statements: 

• “Before we discuss salary, I’d like to learn more about the position and benefits and have the chance to share my qualifications with you.” 

• “Can you tell me the range for this position?” 

• “I’m sure we can agree on fair compensation, based on the market and my experience, but I would prefer to have that conversation if I am offered the position.” 

• “I’d like some time to consider what I’ve learned today before giving that answer.” 

• This keeps the focus on your value while deferring the conversation to when you have an offer. 

Know Your Worth Before Interviews 

Research salary ranges for your target role using salary websites. For each site, document:  

• Median salary  

• Range (25th-75th percentile)  

• Entry-level vs. experienced range 

Also talk to people in your network about actual salaries—websites give you numbers, but conversations give you context. Talk to friends, professors, and people working in your field. 

Understand Your Priorities and Minimum Requirements 

Before you interview, know your requirements:  

• Ideal salary: What would you be happy with?  

• Minimum acceptable salary: What do you actually need to live on after considering bills and other necessities? 

Create a realistic budget:  

• Consider using a tool like NerdWallet’s Cost of Living Calculator 

• Recommended income allocation (from the American Association for University Women):  

• 50% or less to essential expenses (needs)  

• 20% or more to financial goals/savings (obligations)  

• 30% to flexible spending and personal choices (wants) 

When you get an offer (usually by phone or email), here’s how to respond. 

In the Moment 

1. Be enthusiastic – Show genuine excitement about the opportunity 

2. Ask for time – “Thank you so much. I’d like to take 24-48 hours to review everything carefully. When do you need an answer?” 

3. Get it in writing – “Can you send me the full offer in writing so I have all the details?” 

4. Get clarification – Ask questions about anything unclear; don’t pretend to understand 

Ask About Benefits 

Request a detailed benefits package in writing, including:  

• Type of employment (full-time, part-time, temporary, contract)  

• Health insurance (coverage start date, plan options)  

• Retirement plan (401k, pension, matching) 

• Paid time off (vacation, sick days, holidays)  

• Any restrictive covenants (non-compete, non-solicitation, intellectual property agreements) 

For questions about benefits: Connect with the HR department directly—they’re the experts and will have the most detailed answers. 

Before you negotiate or accept, make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to. 

Types of Employment 

Restrictive Covenants: What You Need to Know 

Many employers require agreements restricting your actions after you leave. These may include: 

Non-Compete – Prevents you from working for competitors or starting a competing business for a set time period and geographic area. These vary widely by state and enforceability. 

Non-Solicitation – Prevents you from recruiting colleagues or soliciting clients for a set time period. 

Non-Disclosure (Confidentiality) – Prevents you from sharing company confidential information or trade secrets. 

Intellectual Property Agreement – Specifies who owns work you create (the company or you). 

Before signing any restrictive covenant:  

1. Read it carefully and understand what it says  

2. Have someone with legal expertise review it if it’s concerning or you’re unsure 

3. If it seems overly broad, try to negotiate better terms  

4. Ask yourself: Is the job worth the restrictions if I leave? 

From the National Association of Colleges and Employers: Overly broad non-competes can limit your future career options, so it’s worth understanding what you’re signing.

Now you have the full picture. Here’s how to decide whether to negotiate, accept, or decline. 

Salary Component 

• If at or above your target salary: It’s OK not to negotiate if your target salary and benefit expectations are matched, but negotiation is often expected as there might be other benefits worth considering  

• If below your target salary: It’s appropriate to negotiate, especially if you have market data supporting a higher range 

• If below your minimum: Be very cautious about accepting unless other benefits or long-term opportunities justify it 

Benefits Component 

Benefits can be worth significant money. Consider:  

• Health insurance quality and cost to you  

• Retirement matching 

• Paid time off (vacation + sick + holidays = total days off)  

• Professional development budget  

• Flexible work arrangements  

• Remote work options 

If salary is lower than expected, consider negotiating benefits to close the gap. Sometimes an employer can’t move on salary but can offer extra vacation, professional development budget, or flexible arrangements. 

Create a comparison spreadsheet: 

1. List features that matter to you (salary, location, benefits, growth opportunity, company culture, etc.)  

2. Rank them by importance (most important at top)  

3. Rate each offer on a scale of 1-5 for each feature  

4. Total the scores to compare objectively 

If you’ve decided to negotiate, here’s one strategy to consider 

Before You Negotiate 

Remember these principles:  

• Be rational and data-driven – Back up your requests with market research  

• Stay professional – Don’t get emotional or confrontational  

• Be collaborative – “I’m excited about this role, and I’d like to explore if we can make this work better for both of us”  

• Focus on your value – Connect your accomplishments and qualifications to the salary range 

What You Can Negotiate 

Nearly everything is negotiable:  

• Insurance coverage (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, etc.) 

• Paid holidays 

• Vacation days 

• Sick and personal days 

• Overtime and comp time 

• Bonuses (sign-on, yearly, recruitment, etc.) 

• Base salary  

• Relocation assistance  

• Start date  

• Remote work days  

• Professional development budget  

• Flexible hours 

• Loan repayment assistance 

• Health and Wellness Programs/On-Site Fitness Facilities 

• Profit sharing/stock options 

• Retirement Plan: 401(k) or 403(b) matching and contributions 

• Commuter benefits 

• Merit raises/Performance reviews 

How to Negotiate 

1. Start with a specific request – “Based on market research and my qualifications, I’d like to request $[X] salary” or “I’d like to request one additional week of vacation” 

2. Provide an evidence-based justification – Reference your research, your experience, or specific accomplishments 

3. Stay open to alternatives – If they can’t move on salary, ask what else they can offer 

4. Give them time – “I understand you may need to check with your manager. When can we discuss this further?” 

5. Follow up in writing – Confirm what you discussed in an email 

If They Say No 

You have options:  

• Accept the offer as is  

• Counter with a different request  

• Decline the offer 

Don’t burn bridges. Even if you decline, you may want to work there in the future. 

Once you accept a job offer (verbally or in writing), it’s an agreement. Reneging (or not following through) on it:  

• Damages your professional reputation  

• Affects Northeastern’s relationship with the employer  

• Can jeopardize future co-op and job opportunities 

• Immediately prevents you from On-Campus Recruiting 

• Can lead to Career Development emailing the Dean of your school, informing them of the matter 

• Suspension of Career Development’s services and the use of NUworks 

Only accept an offer you intend to take. If you’re torn between multiple offers, take the time you need to decide before accepting. 

Before you decline, reconsider:  

• Could you negotiate the offer to make it work?  

• Is there a specific concern you could address with the employer? 

If you’re still declining:  

• Do it professionally and promptly  

• Thank them for the opportunity  

• Keep the door open for future opportunities  

• Send a brief, kind decline email 

This is serious. Only do this if truly unavoidable. Contact the employer immediately, explain the situation professionally, and understand the consequences. Talk to Career Design for help thinking through this and about next steps