ChatGPT Prompts to Negotiate Your Salary and Job Offer
An offer is exciting until you have to answer it. These 11 prompts help you read the offer, ask for more in plain and honest words, handle a no, and later make the case for a raise at the job you already have.
Each one started as a draft from Promptimize, then was edited by hand. Invented details came out, paste-in slots went in, and every prompt keeps ChatGPT to your real numbers. None of them will make up market data, a competing offer, or a deadline. A negotiation built on something untrue falls apart the moment someone asks a follow-up.
Want to see how they hold up? Paste any of them into our free Prompt Grader for a score out of 100 and a breakdown of what's working.
They work in ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
How to use these prompts
Copy a prompt. Paste in your offer and your own numbers where marked. Check every number in the draft against your offer before you send anything.
Respond to the offer
1. Review your job offer before you reply
Use it when: You just got an offer and want to know what's in it, what's missing, and what to ask.
Why it works: It sorts every term into clear, unclear, or missing, then turns the gaps into questions you can send the recruiter.
Act as a careful career advisor. Help me review the job offer below before I reply to the employer. 1. List every term the offer actually states: base pay, bonus, equity, benefits, time off, title, start date, manager, work location or remote policy, and any conditions (such as a background check). 2. Make a short table with three columns: Term, What the offer says, and Status (Clear, Unclear, or Missing). 3. Point out anything vague, such as a bonus described as "eligible" with no target, or equity with no vesting schedule. 4. Rank the gaps from most to least important for my pay and job security. 5. Write up to 8 polite questions I can send to the recruiter, in that order. Rules: Use only what is in the offer and my notes. Do not guess at missing terms, salary ranges, or market rates, and do not tell me whether to accept or negotiate yet. If the offer mentions things like a non-compete, a clawback or repayment clause, or at-will employment, flag them in plain words and suggest I ask an employment lawyer or HR about them. Do not explain what they mean legally. The offer: [paste the offer letter or email] Anything the recruiter told me that isn't in writing (optional): [paste here]
2. Ask for a few days to decide
Use it when: You want to thank them and buy a few days without sounding unsure.
Why it works: It asks for a specific date you choose, so the request reads as care, not doubt, and gives you a short version and a phone script too.
Act as a career communications coach. Help me reply to a job offer to thank them and ask for a few days to decide. 1. Write a subject line of under 10 words. 2. Write a warm, confident email of 100 to 130 words that thanks them, says I'm interested in the role, asks to give my answer by the date I give you, and says I may follow up with a few questions. 3. Write a short version of under 60 words for a text or LinkedIn message. 4. Write 3 or 4 sentences I can say if the recruiter calls instead. Rules: Use the decision date I give you. If I don't give one, write (ADD DATE) instead of picking one. Do not mention salary, negotiation, or other offers. Do not invent a reason I need the time beyond reviewing the offer carefully. No apologies and no filler like "I hope this email finds you well." Company, role, and recruiter's name: [paste here] The date I want to give my answer by: [paste here] The offer email (optional): [paste the offer]
3. Compare two job offers
Use it when: You have two offers and want to see which one fits what you care about.
Why it works: It weighs both offers against your own priorities and lists what's unknown instead of filling the gaps.
Act as a practical career advisor. Help me compare two job offers based on what matters most to me. 1. Restate my priorities in the order I ranked them. 2. Make a side-by-side table with columns Factor, Offer A, Offer B, and Which is better for me. Cover base pay, bonus, equity, benefits, time off, remote policy, title, growth, commute, and anything on my priority list. 3. Where the numbers allow, add up first-year pay for each offer and show the math. Count only guaranteed pay, such as base salary and any guaranteed signing bonus. Do not count equity value or bonuses that aren't guaranteed; list those separately as not counted. If a number is missing, mark it "Not stated." 4. Explain the biggest trade-off: what I gain and what I give up with each choice. 5. Tell me which offer fits my priorities better and why, in under 120 words, and name the one factor that could change the answer. 6. List any questions I should ask either employer before deciding. Rules: Use only the details I give you. Mark anything unknown as "Not stated" and do not fill it in with guesses, salary benchmarks, or assumptions about either company. The decision is mine, so be clear but don't pressure me. Offer A: [paste the offer details] Offer B: [paste the offer details] What matters most to me, in order: [paste here]
Negotiate
4. Write a counteroffer email for a higher salary
Use it when: You want to ask for more base pay using your own number and real reasons.
Why it works: It shows back your numbers so you can check them, picks your strongest reasons, and flags any that could backfire.
Act as a salary negotiation coach. Help me write a counteroffer email asking for a higher base salary. 1. Restate the offered base salary, the number I'm asking for, and my reasons exactly as I give them, so I can check nothing changed. 2. Pick my 2 or 3 strongest reasons from the employer's point of view and explain why in one line each. If any reason could backfire, such as personal money needs, say so and leave it out. 3. Write the email with a subject line, in under 200 words and four short paragraphs: thanks and interest in the role, the specific base salary I'm asking for, my reasons tied to what I'll bring to the job, and an invitation to talk. 4. Give me 2 sentences I can use if they say the base can't move. Rules: Use only the numbers and reasons I give you. Do not invent market data, salary ranges, competing offers, deadlines, or accomplishments. If I mention market data, use only what I paste. If I don't have any, tell me where I could look (posted pay ranges in similar job listings, or people in similar roles) instead of making up numbers. If a number is missing, write (ADD NUMBER). Keep the tone clear, confident, and friendly. No hedging like "I was wondering if." Remind me to get the final offer in writing before I resign from my current job. The offer: [paste the offer] The base salary I'm asking for: [paste here] My real reasons (rough notes are fine): [paste here] Market data I've found, if any: [paste here]
5. Negotiate other parts of the offer
Use it when: They've said the salary can't move, but you'd like a better start date, time off, remote days, title, or signing bonus.
Why it works: It narrows your list to two or three asks that matter to you and bundles them into one reasonable request.
Act as a career advisor. The employer has said the base salary is fixed, so help me ask for other parts of the offer instead. 1. Read my priorities and the current offer. List the items I'm considering (such as start date, time off, remote days, title, or a signing bonus). 2. Make a short table with columns Item, Current offer, My ask, and A fallback I'd accept. 3. Recommend 2 or 3 items to ask for, based on what matters most to me, and explain why in one line each. 4. Write one email of under 250 words that asks for those items as a single, reasonable request, not a list of demands. 5. Give me 4 short talking points in case we discuss it by phone. Rules: Use only the terms and numbers I give you. If an ask needs a number I haven't given (days, dollars, or a date), write (ADD NUMBER) instead of picking one. Do not reopen the base salary. Do not invent other offers, deadlines, or reasons. If something I'm asking about touches a contract term, such as a repayment clause on a signing bonus, suggest I check it with HR or an employment lawyer. Get any agreed changes in an updated written offer before I resign. The current offer: [paste the offer] What I'd like to change, in order of importance: [paste here]
6. Practice a salary negotiation call
Use it when: You want to rehearse the phone call before the real one.
Why it works: The AI plays a realistic recruiter, one turn at a time, then steps out to give you specific feedback.
Act as a recruiter on a salary negotiation phone call with me. I've received an offer and want to practice asking for more. 1. Before we start, read my details below and confirm the scenario in 2 sentences. 2. Open the call as the recruiter by presenting the offer and asking what I think. 3. Respond to each of my replies in character, in 2 to 4 sentences, then wait for me. Over the call, bring up 2 or 3 realistic objections, such as a fixed budget, pay bands, or fairness to the current team. 4. Be friendly but firm: not a pushover and not hostile. Don't coach me or break character during the call. 5. When I type "END CALL," step out of character and give me: 2 things I did well, 2 things to improve, one line I said with a stronger version, and one thing to practice next. Rules: Use only the role, offer, and numbers I give you. Do not invent a budget, a market rate, or other details about the company. In the feedback, never suggest I bluff, invent another offer, make up a deadline, or threaten to walk away unless I've said I mean it. The role and the offer: [paste here] The number I'm asking for and why: [paste here]
7. Respond when they say no or offer less
Use it when: They turned down your counteroffer or came back lower than you asked.
Why it works: It lays out your honest options, including accepting, and writes the reply for the one you choose.
Act as a calm, practical career advisor. The employer turned down my counteroffer or came back with less than I asked. Help me decide how to respond. 1. Show the original offer, my counter, and their response side by side, and the difference between them. If a number is missing, write (ADD NUMBER). 2. Lay out my options in plain words: accept as is, make one final ask for something other than base pay (such as a signing bonus, a pay review at 6 months, more time off, or a later start date), or politely decline. Give one line on when each makes sense for me. 3. If I've said which option I want, use it; if not, recommend one and say why. 4. Write a reply email of 120 to 180 words for that option: thanks, interest in the role, and one clear next step. 5. Give me 3 short talking points if they call instead. Rules: Use only the numbers and facts I give you. Never suggest bluffing, inventing another offer, making up a deadline, or threatening to walk away unless I've said I'm ready to. No apologies and no ultimatums. Remind me to get the final offer in writing before I resign from my current job. The original offer: [paste here] My counteroffer: [paste here] Their response: [paste here] What matters most to me now, and whether I'm willing to walk away: [paste here]
Close it out and ask for a raise
8. Accept the offer in writing
Use it when: You're ready to say yes and want the agreed terms on record.
Why it works: It confirms each term in a short list and checks for anything agreed by phone that isn't in the written offer yet.
Act as a career coach. Help me accept a job offer in writing and confirm the key details. 1. Compare the written offer with my notes from calls or messages. List anything that was agreed but isn't in the written offer yet. 2. Write a subject line and an acceptance email of under 180 words: 2 or 3 sentences accepting and thanking them, a bulleted "Confirmed terms" list, and one sentence asking them to let me know if anything is different from their records. 3. In the terms list, include title, base pay, bonus or equity, start date, work location or remote setup, manager, and any special agreements, but only ones I give you. 4. Give me a short checklist of things to check in the official offer letter before I sign. Rules: Use only the terms I give you. If a detail is missing, write (ADD DETAIL) instead of guessing. Do not add new requests or renegotiate. Remind me to have the final offer in writing before I resign from my current job, and if anything was agreed verbally but isn't in writing, tell me to ask for an updated written offer first. If the offer has terms like a non-compete or a repayment clause, suggest I check them with HR or an employment lawyer rather than explaining what they mean legally. The written offer: [paste the offer] Anything agreed by phone or message: [paste here]
9. Decline an offer politely
Use it when: You're saying no but want to stay on good terms for the future.
Why it works: It gives a brief, honest reason without oversharing and ends with a clear invitation to stay in touch.
Act as a career coach. Help me decline a job offer politely and keep the door open for the future. 1. Based on my reason for declining, suggest the most honest and gracious way to say it in one sentence. 2. Write a subject line and a decline email of 100 to 150 words: thank them, give my brief reason, mention one real thing I appreciated about the team or process (only from my notes), and say I'd like to stay in touch. 3. Write a short version of under 90 words. 4. Write a LinkedIn connection note of under 300 characters. 5. List 3 phrases to avoid and why. Rules: Use only the details I give you. Do not invent compliments or facts about the company. Do not name another employer unless I ask you to. Do not criticize the offer, and do not leave an opening for a counteroffer unless I say I want one. Company, role, and the person I'm writing to: [paste here] Why I'm declining: [paste here] Something I genuinely appreciated (optional): [paste here]
10. Build your case for a raise
Use it when: You want to ask for a raise and need to pull your real results together first.
Why it works: It asks questions first, turns your work into clear results, and writes (ADD RESULT) instead of making up numbers.
Act as a career coach. Help me build a case for a raise at my current job using my real accomplishments. 1. Read my notes. Ask me up to 5 short questions to fill in gaps about my results and new responsibilities from the past 12 months. Wait for my answers. 2. For each accomplishment, write one line on what it meant for the team or business. If a result needs a number I haven't given, write (ADD RESULT) and tell me what to look for. 3. Rank my top 3 accomplishments by how much they'll matter to my manager, and say why in one line each. 4. List any responsibilities I've taken on beyond my original role. 5. Write a one-page summary of 250 to 350 words: my request, my top results, my bigger scope, and the raise I'm asking for. Rules: Use only what I tell you. Do not invent results, numbers, or market rates. If I haven't given a target raise, write (ADD NUMBER). If I have no pay data, suggest where I could look (posted pay ranges in similar job listings, or people in similar roles) instead of making numbers up. Leave out personal money needs, time at the company on its own, and comparisons to named coworkers. My role and how long I've been in it: [paste here] My accomplishments and new responsibilities (rough notes are fine): [paste here] The raise I want and any pay data I've found: [paste here]
11. Ask your manager for a raise
Use it when: You're ready to request the meeting and want to know what to say once you're in it.
Why it works: It covers the whole conversation, from the meeting request to the follow-up email, with honest answers to the usual pushback.
Act as a career coach. Help me ask my manager for a raise. 1. Write a meeting request email with a subject line, in under 100 words, asking for 30 minutes to talk about my pay and growth. Don't put a number in it. 2. Write an opening of 2 or 3 sentences I can say to start the meeting. 3. Write 3 short points, each pairing one of my accomplishments with why it mattered. 4. Write one sentence that states my ask, using the number I give you. 5. Write calm, honest replies for: "Not right now," "There's no budget," and "Let me check with HR." For each, include a way to agree on a clear next step, such as a date to revisit. 6. Write a short follow-up email of under 120 words to send after the meeting. Write (ADD WHAT WE AGREED) where the outcome goes instead of guessing it. Rules: Use only the accomplishments and numbers I give you. If my target is missing, write (ADD NUMBER). Do not invent market data. If I have none, suggest where I could look (posted pay ranges in similar job listings, or people in similar roles). No ultimatums, no threats to quit unless I've said I mean it, no coworkers' pay, and no personal money needs as reasons. Keep the tone confident and friendly. No hedging like "I was just wondering if maybe." My role and my manager's name: [paste here] My top accomplishments: [paste here] The raise I'm asking for: [paste here]
FAQ
Will ChatGPT tell me what salary to ask for?
No, and it shouldn't guess. These prompts only use numbers you paste in. To find a fair range, look at posted pay ranges in similar job listings and talk to people in similar roles.
Is it safe to paste my offer letter into an AI tool?
Remove your address, ID numbers, and anything else the AI doesn't need, and check your AI tool's data settings.
When should I resign from my current job?
Not until you have the final offer in writing, with every agreed term in it. Several prompts here remind you of that on purpose.
More prompt packs
Free, hand-edited ChatGPT prompts to match your resume and cover letter to any job description. Find gaps, rewrite bullets, and prep for the interview.
Free, hand-edited ChatGPT prompts for small business customer emails: angry complaints, late orders, refund requests, apologies, reviews, and more.
Free, hand-edited ChatGPT prompts to prepare for a job interview. Practice your answers, handle the salary question, run a mock interview, and follow up.
Free, hand-edited prompts to write, fix, and test the instructions for your own Custom GPT or Claude Project, plus ready-made assistants to set up.
Free, hand-edited prompts to plan, write, test and fix your own Claude skill. Turn a task you repeat into a SKILL.md that Claude uses at the right time.
Need a prompt for something else? Describe what you're trying to do, and Promptimize writes 6 to 10 tailored versions. Free, 5 per day.
Try Promptimize