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First offer came in ~20% below the range they quoted me. Do I push back as a new grad? — CareerVerse

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First offer came in ~20% below the range they quoted me. Do I push back as a new grad?

Anonymous09 Jul 2026

Got my first real offer and I'm genuinely happy about it, but the number landed a good chunk below the range the recruiter threw out on the first call. Part of me just wants to sign so I don't lose it. Part of me feels like I'm leaving money on the table on day one.

For those who negotiated a first offer — did it ever actually backfire? How do you push without coming across as entitled or risking the whole thing?

4 replies

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Anonymous12 Jul 2026
Push back, politely: 'I'm really excited about this — based on the range we discussed I was hoping for closer to X, is there any flexibility?' Worst case they say no and you're exactly where you are now. As a new grad your starting number compounds for years, so it's worth the small discomfort.
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Anonymous11 Jul 2026
Push back, politely, always. As a new grad the worst they say is 'that's our number' and you're exactly where you are now. Anchor on the range THEY quoted: 'I was excited about the range we discussed — is there flexibility to get closer to it?' Quoting a range then offering under it is a pretty common test of whether you'll ask.
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Anonymous10 Jul 2026
Push back, politely. As a new grad I just asked "is there any flexibility on the base?" after they came in low, and got +8% for that one sentence. Worst case they say no and you're exactly where you already are. They quoted you a range — you're not being greedy, you're holding them to their own number. Do it over email so you have time to word it calmly.
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Anonymous09 Jul 2026
Push back — politely, once, with a specific number. A 20% gap below their own quoted range is very reasonable to raise. Something like: "I'm really excited about this. Based on the range we discussed and my [X], I was expecting closer to [Y] — is there any flexibility?" In my experience it basically never gets the offer pulled; worst case they say no and you're exactly where you started. Don't sign the first number out of fear.
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