Handle salary expectations early
Keep the conversation aligned with the role while avoiding an uninformed commitment.
Prepare your response
Keep the conversation aligned with the role while avoiding an uninformed commitment.
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
Answer an early salary question in under 45 seconds.
Reveal worked answer guidance
A complete answer clarifies units/scope, gives a credible next step and remains truthful. It does not require an aggressive refusal.
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.
Answer an early salary question in under 45 seconds.
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.