If you're a student or recent graduate, salary negotiation might feel intimidating or unnecessary. Many early-career professionals assume they have no leverage or believe that asking for more will hurt their chances of getting hired.

The reality is this: the way you approach your first job offer can set the tone for how you advocate for yourself throughout your career. Learning how to negotiate your salary early builds confidence, clarity, and long-term value.

This article shares insights from a recent CareerOS masterclass with Catherine Canales, Chief Commercial Officer at hVIVO Group and Founder of NoGap. With over 25 years of commercial leadership experience, Catherine helps professionals build the negotiation skills they were never taught in school.

Here’s where to begin.
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Why Salary Negotiation Matters for Students and New Grads

Most people think negotiation only applies to senior-level roles. But according to Catherine, 80 percent of companies expect candidates to negotiate. Whether you are applying for your first internship or full-time role, negotiation is not only allowed, it is expected.

Negotiating your salary shows that you understand your market value, take your career seriously, and are capable of having professional conversations about compensation.

If an employer rescinds an offer simply because you asked about salary or benefits, that is a major red flag about their company culture.
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Negotiation Starts Before the Offer

One of the most common mistakes students make is assuming that negotiation begins only after the job offer is made. In reality, everything you do from the moment you apply influences how you are perceived as a candidate.

Here are key ways to strengthen your position early in the process:

• Personalize your cover letter and resume
  
  
• Follow all application instructions carefully
  
  
• Show up prepared and engaged in interviews
  
  
• Send a follow-up thank-you note after each interview
  
  
• Demonstrate strong communication and professionalism throughout
  
  

These actions build trust and likability, two critical elements that impact both your chances of being hired and your ability to negotiate later.

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Research Before You Talk Numbers

To negotiate effectively, you need to know what the role is worth. Start by researching average salaries for the position, industry, and location. Use a combination of tools and sources such as:

• Glassdoor
  
  
• Levels.fyi
  
  
• Country-specific salary benchmarking websites
  
  
• AI tools like Perplexity
  
  
• Conversations with professionals in your network
  
  

As Catherine emphasized, your network can be one of the most valuable sources of up-to-date salary information. If someone is already doing the job you are applying for, ask them what a reasonable compensation package looks like.

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How to Handle Salary Expectations in Interviews

If a recruiter or hiring manager asks, "What are your salary expectations?", Catherine recommends this response:

"At this stage, I do not have all the information to give a precise number. Would you be open to sharing the salary range that has been budgeted for this role?"

This approach shifts the focus from you to the role and avoids anchoring too low. If the application form requires a numeric input and cannot be left blank, Catherine advises inputting the midpoint of your researched range. This will help you avoid being eliminated for quoting too high or too low, and you can always revisit the number during later stages of the process.

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What Can You Negotiate in Your First Job Offer?

Even as a new graduate, you have options beyond just the base salary. Depending on the company and role, you can also consider negotiating:

• Job title
  
  
• Remote work or flexible hours
  
  
• Signing bonus
  
  
• Relocation support
  
  
• Start date
  
  
• Professional development budget
  
  
• Paid time off or leave policies
  
  

If the employer says the salary is fixed, you can respond by asking if other benefits can be adjusted to improve the offer.

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Common Misconceptions About Negotiation

One of the biggest myths Catherine addressed is this: "If I ask for more, they will expect more from me."

In reality, once you are hired, your manager is focused on your performance and contribution, not how much you negotiated. Compensation does not automatically translate into higher expectations unless there is a change in scope or role.

In fact, for commercial roles and other client-facing positions, not negotiating can be seen as a weakness. If you cannot negotiate for yourself, how will you negotiate on behalf of your company?

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Practical Takeaways for Early-Career Professionals

1. Negotiation is part of the hiring process. It is expected and respected.
   
   
2. Start early. Every interaction shapes how much leverage you will have later.
   
   
3. Do your research. Know your value before discussing numbers.
   
   
4. Ask the right questions. Shift the focus back to the role and the employer's budget.
   
   
5. Look beyond the salary. Benefits, flexibility, and growth opportunities also matter.
   
   
6. Practice regularly. The more you negotiate in daily life, the easier it becomes in your career.
   
   

Conclusion

Salary negotiation is not reserved for experienced professionals. As a student or new graduate, this is the perfect time to learn how to advocate for yourself. Employers respect candidates who do their homework, show up with confidence, and ask thoughtful questions.

The key is preparation, not perfection. You do not need to know everything — you just need to know how to begin.

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