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Negotiate Your Salary

What can you ask for, and how do you say it? Go into your compensation discussion prepared.

Based on your resume and the job posting, we'll show you if, and how, you can negotiate. We back that up with real salary data and with what's literally stated in the job posting, never with made-up numbers. That way you know what to ask for before the compensation conversation.

No rights can be derived from this advice. It is not official advice and does not guarantee success.

You haven't built a resume in CV-Refresher yet. Start here: we'll use that resume for the advice, no new upload needed.

If the link doesn't work, or the job posting is behind a login, paste the text here instead. That always works.

We read the country from the job posting text. If that's not correct, select it yourself here. The advice differs by country.

Your bottom line (optional, helps with the advice)

People who set their bottom line ahead of time demonstrably negotiate differently than those who decide in the moment. None of this is shared, it's only used for your own advice.

Gross is the amount before taxes and deductions; net is what ends up in your account. Job postings and employers almost always state gross, so enter that here too.

First enter a link to the job posting (or paste the text). We'll use that for the advice.

This usually takes about a minute. We first read the job posting, then your resume, and then write the advice. Note: we generate this advice one time only. Download the report yourself, since you won't be able to retrieve it again later. Remaining credits stay valid for 90 days via the link in your email.

Back to your cover letter

What can you ask for as a salary?

That depends on the role, your experience, and the market you're applying in. The tool compares your resume and the job posting against national pay data and gives you a range: a target number and a floor you won't go below. State a specific number in the conversation, and never your minimum: say 'around $60,000' and you'll get $58,000.

How do you prepare for a compensation discussion?

Find out what the role pays elsewhere, set your target number and your floor ahead of time, and think through the objections you might hear. Let the employer make the first offer, and don't accept it right away. Back up your ask with what you've shown you can do, not with what you need to cover your bills.

Beyond salary: benefits and perks

If there's little room to move on the number, there's often room elsewhere: vacation days, remote work, commuting reimbursement, a training budget, retirement contributions, a bonus, or a salary review after six months. Pick two or three terms that matter most to you ahead of time, and negotiate those, not everything at once.

Want to read first about how a conversation like this goes and what you can ask for besides salary? Read the guide to the compensation discussion.

Frequently asked questions about salary negotiation

Can I negotiate if the job posting already lists a salary range?
Yes. A listed range is just that, a range, and where you land in it depends on your experience. If you're above the top of the range, point out what you bring that the job description doesn't ask for.
Do I have to share my current salary?
No, you're not required to. Turn the question around: state the number that fits this role and this level of responsibility.
When do you bring up salary?
Only once the employer wants to hire you, usually during the compensation discussion after the final interview. Bringing up money in the first interview means negotiating from the weakest position.
What if the employer says no?
Ask what is possible: a review date with an agreed-upon raise, extra vacation days, or a training budget. A no on the number is rarely a no on everything.

By using a tool you agree to the terms and conditions.

What users say about their new resume

5/5review translated

β€œIt was nice that I could upload my old CV, so I didn't have to type in all the details again. The system took it over well. On top of that, I can adjust the layout completely to my own taste.”

Esther, L
CorporateOctober 2026
5/5review translated

β€œThis tool is perfect! I quickly got my old CV looking new again, received a matching cover letter and practical tips for the conversation with my future boss. Really recommend it.”

Anoniem
Healthcare & Social CareAugust 2026
4/5review translated

β€œHandy tool if you don't really know where to start. My CV became clearer and the job vacancy analysis gave me some good insights. I also found the salary advice interesting. Sometimes I thought the texts were a bit too formal and I adjusted them myself a bit. But as a basis, this is really a nice tool.”

Jeroen de V.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œThe cover letter writer in particular surprised me. I'd always struggled to write a good letter myself. CV-Refresher used my experience and the job vacancy in a really logical way. In the end I was invited for an interview. The whole combination of CV, letter and salary advice makes it really complete.”

Amina El A.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œI was applying for jobs again after a few years and didn't really know what my CV should look like these days. CV-Refresher gave me a clear starting point straight away. The combination with the job posting analysis works well. My CV became much more specific and I ended up getting invited for an interview. Very positive about the whole experience.”

Sophie ten H.
August 2026
4/5review translated

β€œCV-Refresher helped me present my work experience much better. Some of the phrasing wasn't quite my own style, so I adjusted that. But content-wise the suggestions were strong. I especially found the analysis of my salary position valuable. I would definitely use the tool again for a future job application.”

Daniel P.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œReally handy when you want to apply for a specific job. What I liked most was that the tool didn't just churn out a standard cover letter, but actually looked at my CV and the job listing. That made the letter feel much more personal. The salary report also gave me more confidence during the interview.”

Femke van den B.
August 2026
4/5review translated

β€œI've recently moved to the Netherlands and wanted to adapt my Polish CV for Dutch employers. CV-Refresher was particularly helpful with the structure and highlighting my relevant experience. The cover letter was also a good starting point. I still had to check some Dutch phrasing, but it saved me a lot of time.”

Piotr K.
August 2026
5/5review translated

β€œMy CV hadn't been updated in a while. CV-Refresher turned it into a much stronger and more modern CV in a short amount of time. I especially liked the link with the job advert. Because of that, the cover letter really matched the role. I also liked that I could set the tone myself with four sliders, for example more formal or a bit more relaxed and warm. Because of that, the final letter really felt like my own story.”

Lisa van D.
August 2026

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