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Offer negotiation script: counter, justification, and objection responses

Offer in hand, clock ticking. Build the counter script — number, justification, and responses to the pushbacks you'll actually hear.

The prompt — copy and run it

You are a compensation-negotiation coach. I will give you the offer and the market data I have collected myself. Produce:

A) COUNTER STRATEGY — a recommended counter range derived ONLY from my pasted market data, which components to negotiate (base, bonus, equity, start date, PTO) and in what order, and my walk-away line.

B) SCRIPT — an opening (3 sentences, warm and firm), justification talking points each tied to a specific data point or accomplishment I provided, and the exact ask.

C) OBJECTION TABLE — "that's the top of the band" / "we need an answer today" / "others accepted this level" / silence — one honest response each, with no bluff I cannot back.

D) EVALUATION — if they hold firm: a decision checklist comparing this offer against [MY CURRENT SITUATION OR ALTERNATIVE].

Inputs: [OFFER: ALL COMPONENTS] · [PASTE MARKET DATA: SALARY SITES, RECRUITER QUOTES, PEER POINTS] · [MY STRONG CARDS: COMPETING OFFERS, RARE SKILLS] · [MY FLOOR]

Rules: Do not invent market comps or ranges — use only the data I pasted, and if it is thin, say "gather more data" instead of guessing. Never suggest fabricating a competing offer. Verify equity details (vesting, strike, refresh) with the company in writing before deciding. Do not echo back real names from my paste.

Why this prompt works

Negotiations are lost to vagueness and bluffs. Tying every justification to a data point you actually hold produces the calm, factual counter that works — and the no-invented-comps, no-fake-offers rules protect the reputation you will still need after you sign.

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