You get the offer.

$85,000 base salary. Benefits start in 90 days. Two weeks PTO.

You're excited. Relieved. You want to say yes immediately.

So you do. "Thank you so much! I'm excited to join the team. When do I start?"

Negotiation window: closed.

You just accepted $15K-$25K less than they would have paid you.

Here's what should have happened:

"Thank you for the offer. I'm very excited about this opportunity. I'd like to take 24-48 hours to review everything and get back to you. When would be a good time to discuss the details?"

That's it. You didn't say no. You didn't make demands. You just bought yourself time to think and negotiate.

Now you can come back with:

"I'm really excited about this role. Based on my research and the scope we discussed supporting three C-suite executives plus board coordination I was expecting a range closer to $95K-$105K. Is there flexibility on the base salary?"

Notice:

• You're still excited (not hostile)
• You justified your ask (research + scope)
• You asked a question (not a demand)
• You gave a range (room to negotiate)

They'll either:

1. Meet you in the middle ($92K-$95K)
2. Say no but offer more PTO, sign-on bonus, or earlier review
3. Say the number is firm (rare, but now you know)

You just made $10K-$20K in 48 hours.

The Interview Ready Playbook ($47) includes:

• Word-for-word offer negotiation scripts
• How to negotiate when they say "this is our final offer"
• What to negotiate beyond salary (PTO, title, flexibility, review timing)
• When to walk away vs. when to accept
• How to ask for time without losing the offer

$47 to never leave money on the table because you said yes too fast.

Enthusiasm is great. But negotiate first, then do that happy dance.

You know the one.

Christina Torres​
​Chief Creative Officer
​Run & Tell That - Copy. Career. Culture.
​w: www.runandtellthat.co e: christina@runandtellthat.co​