Close the negotiation in writing
Verify the final package and conditions before making a clear decision.
Prepare your response
Verify the final package and conditions before making a clear decision.
Original teaching material. All numerical examples are hypothetical, not live market benchmarks. Adapt scripts to your actual situation; no messages are sent from this course.
Practice and self-review
Build a final-offer checklist and identify two unresolved items that would prevent a clear decision.
Reveal worked answer guidance
Check definitions and conditions, not just totals. A signed document still needs to be understood within its actual jurisdiction and employer process.
Check your response for accurate units, real evidence, a prioritized ask, a genuine alternative and a clear next step.
Sources and scope
Harvard MCS: Evaluating and negotiating offers ↗ · Reference checked 2026-10-18
Career-services reference for offer evaluation, preparation and negotiation conversations; original lesson scripts and examples are authored for this course.
This course teaches preparation and communication. It provides no live pay ranges, employer guarantees, tax calculations or personalized legal/investment advice. Governing documents and local rules determine actual award and employment terms.
Build a final-offer checklist and identify two unresolved items that would prevent a clear decision.
Your negotiation draft
Separate offer facts from assumptions, state a truthful prioritized ask, and define your next step. Save your draft before comparing it with the worked guidance.
Self-review checklist
Self-guided practice. Automated AI feedback and code execution are not connected.