The prompt
Score 10 of 10, Excellent
Use it when You need a target, a walk-away point and the words to use when you counter an offer.
- {{offer}}
- {{market_data}}
- {{situation}}
- {{priorities}}
- {{minimum}}
- {{channel}}
Full prompt and why it works
Prompt
Help me plan how to negotiate the job offer below. I make the final decisions; I want a clear plan, the reasoning behind it, and words I can use. The offer as I received it (base pay, bonus, equity, benefits, start date, deadline): """ {{offer}} """ Market pay data I gathered, with sources, or "none": """ {{market_data}} """ My situation (current pay, other offers or interviews, constraints): {{situation}} What matters to me, most important first: {{priorities}} The lowest package I would accept, or "help me set it": {{minimum}} How the conversation will happen: {{channel}} Task: Give me these parts. 1. The offer summarized, with first-year cash pay calculated only from the figures above. Show the arithmetic. List equity separately and put no value on it. 2. Three numbers, each with one line of reasoning from my data: a walk-away point, a target, and an opening counter. 3. A script for the counter, in short sentences I could say out loud: thanks, interest in the role, the counter with its basis, then stop and let them answer. If the channel is email, write it as an email of 120 to 180 words instead. 4. Responses to likely pushback: "this is our best offer", "the budget is fixed", "what number did you have in mind?", and a tight deadline. 5. Other things to ask for if base pay cannot move, chosen from my priorities, such as a signing bonus, start date, title, time off or a pay review date. 6. What to get in writing before I accept. Format: a short heading for each part, with bullets inside the parts and full sentences in the script. Rules: - Do not invent market data, salary ranges or typical percentages. If my market data says "none", give no market figure; base the numbers on my own situation and say what data to gather first. - Do not suggest bluffing, such as mentioning offers I do not have, or ultimatums I would not carry out. - Keep the tone collaborative. The goal is a better offer and a good start with my future manager. - Do not answer questions about equity value, taxes or benefit rules. List them as questions for the employer or a qualified advisor. If any part of the offer is unclear, for example whether a bonus is guaranteed or only a target, list the questions to ask the recruiter before I counter.
Variables
- {{offer}}
- The offer as written or as told to you: base pay, bonus, equity, benefits, start date and any deadline.
- {{market_data}}
- Pay figures you found yourself, each with its source. Write "none" if you have none.
- {{situation}}
- Your current pay, other offers or interviews in progress, and constraints such as a notice period.
- {{priorities}}
- What matters most, in order, for example "base pay, remote days, start date".
- {{minimum}}
- The lowest total package you would accept, or "help me set it".
- {{channel}}
- Phone, video call or email.
Why it works
- What to avoid. Market figures come only from data you gathered, and bluffing is ruled out, so nothing in the plan can be exposed as made up in the middle of a negotiation.
- Format. A walk-away point, a target and an opening counter come with a script and answers to common pushback, which is what people most often lack in the moment.
- If unsure. Unclear offer terms become questions for the recruiter, and equity or tax questions go to the employer or an advisor instead of being answered with a guess.