9 things to never say in a salary negotiation

The fastest way to leave money on the table in a salary negotiation is to say the wrong thing at the wrong moment. You have an offer or a raise on the line, and a single careless phrase can undo it. Knowing what not to say in a salary negotiation is just as important as knowing what to ask for.

The payoff for speaking up is real: in a 2024 LendingTree survey reported by CNBC, 82% of full-time workers who asked for a raise in the past year got one, even though many workers never ask at all.¹

Salary coach Josh Doody, author of Fearless Salary Negotiation, warns that saying the wrong thing can quietly cap what you walk away with. Whether you draft your ask with an AI tool or work from a pay range listed in the job posting, the words you choose still have to be specific and backed by evidence.

Key takeaways

What not to say in a salary negotiation: 9 phrases to avoid

1. "Currently," as in "I'm currently making..."

Disclosing your current pay boxes you in and lets the employer anchor low. Doody breaks down how to sidestep the question in The Dreaded Salary Question. Focus on the range you want going forward, not the number on your last pay stub.

As one Sales Engineer on the Glassdoor Community put it, "Their knowing my current and exact salary is not beneficial for me. What is good for them to know is the range I am looking for going forward."

2. "Desired," as in "My desired salary is..."

"Desired" sounds soft and negotiable. Name a firm figure and factor in the full benefits package, not just base pay. Say this instead: "Based on my research and experience, I'm targeting $X."

3. "Sorry"

Apologizing signals you don't believe your own ask. You're making a business case to a hiring manager, not asking for a favor, so drop the reflexive apology.

4. "No" and other negative words

Negative language shuts down collaboration and puts the other side on the defensive. Keep your phrasing calm and constructive; Doody's salary negotiation email templates show how to make a firm ask without turning combative.

5. "Yes"

Accepting on the spot forfeits your leverage. That's a common pitfall: the moment you say yes, the negotiation is over. Buy yourself time, then send a considered counteroffer.

One Analyst in the Glassdoor Community admitted, "I was so thrilled just to get the offer that I didn't even think about pushing for more, I just snap accepted."

6. "Later," as in "I can deal with that after I start"

Pushing details to later means nothing is guaranteed. Whatever you agree to, get it in writing before you sign. Don't let start-date optimism keep you from locking in the terms while you still have leverage.

An Operations Manager on Glassdoor Community shared a costly lesson: "Mine was agreeing to 'we'll review your pay in 6 months' without getting it in writing. Six months came and went, and the review never happened."

7. "Try," as in "Can we try...?"

"Can we try...?" invites a "no" and signals that you expect to be turned down. Ask directly for what you want instead of hedging.

8. "More," as in "I want more..."

"I want more" is too vague to act on. Anchor to a specific figure, like $105,000, so the employer knows exactly what it takes to close the deal.

9. "Want"

"Want" sounds personal, and employers pay for market value, not wishes. Research your market range with Glassdoor Salaries and frame your ask around the data, not your feelings.

The bottom line

The right words turn a good offer into a better one. Compare notes with people who have been in your seat in the Glassdoor Salary Negotiations bowl, then walk into your next conversation with a number and the research to back it.

Join the Glassdoor Community.

Frequently asked questions

Should I ever share my current salary?

You're not required to, and in many states employers can't ask. Redirect the conversation to the forward-looking range you're targeting.

What if I'm asked my salary expectations early in the process?

Deflect politely and ask about their budgeted range first, so you're responding to their number rather than setting the ceiling yourself.

Could negotiating cost me the offer?

Employers generally expect a respectful, evidence-based ask, so a professional negotiation rarely backfires or puts the offer at risk.

Methodology

¹ LendingTree, "82% of Full-Time Workers Who Asked for Pay Raise Got One," published November 18, 2024, and reported by CNBC on November 22, 2024. Based on a LendingTree survey of U.S. full-time workers; 82% of those who asked for a raise in the past year received one, and 66% of full-time workers got a raise regardless of whether they asked.

Josh Doody is a salary negotiation coach and the author of Fearless Salary Negotiation, where he helps professionals get paid what they're worth.