Checklist

Negotiation & Compensation Preparation Checklist

An interactive, evidence-focused checklist to prepare for promotion, compensation conversations, or offers. Capture your impact, market research, clear ask, alternatives, role‑play notes, and follow-up plan so you enter negotiations confidently and with a record you can reuse.

Interactive Tool

Negotiation & Compensation Preparation Checklist

Use this checklist to gather evidence, clarify your preferred outcome and acceptable alternatives, rehearse your case, and save a clear follow-up plan. Fill the fields below and save your preparation so you can review, iterate, and share with a trusted peer.

Describe 2–4 concrete results you delivered since your last review. For each, name the outcome, your role, and any metrics (revenue, cost saved, quality improvements, throughput, customer satisfaction, time saved, numbers of people helped, etc.). Example: 'Reduced onboarding time by 30% (from 10 to 7 days) by automating X; freed 8 hours/week of team time.'
List the specific numbers, dates, and sources you can cite or attach during the conversation. e.g., 'Q1 revenue +12% vs target; defect rate down 0.8pp'.
Summarize salary/total-comp reference points (sources, percentile target, internal ranges if known). Note any recruiter feedback, job postings, or salary bands that support your ask. Example sources: company salary band, Glassdoor, Payscale, recruiter notes.
Enter numbers or an estimate so you can compare offers on a like-for-like basis. You can update this before submitting an offer response.
Write the single-sentence request you'll make (role/title, base salary or range, or total comp). Below it, include a specific number or range. Example: 'I’d like to discuss a base salary of $95k–$105k to reflect scope increase and recent impact.'
Prepare two clear options to present: Option A is your preferred outcome; Option B is an acceptable compromise (e.g., smaller raise + title change, equity, bonus, or development commitments). Framing with two options makes decisions easier for managers.
Record your realistic alternatives: other offers, staying with current role, timing for next review, or internal moves. Knowing your BATNA clarifies walk-away points and confidence.
Non-monetary elements can bridge gaps when budgets are constrained. Select priorities you value and be ready to trade them.
If you selected 'Other' above, describe it here. Otherwise, add specifics for any selected priority (e.g., weeks of vacation requested).
Name the colleague or coach who will role-play with you and the planned time for rehearsal.
Record the common objections you heard in rehearsal and your short responses. Practice phrasing for staying calm, repeating the evidence, and pivoting to options.
Keep an opening that states your ask and a short reason. Example: 'I’d like to discuss aligning my compensation to my expanded remit and recent results; I’m seeking a base of $X or a package equivalent.'
Note when you'll have the conversation (performance review, offer, informal touchpoint), who will be present, and any important contextual signals (hiring freeze, budget quarter).
List files or links (presentations, KPIs, emails, customer feedback) you'll reference or attach after the meeting.
Decide how you'll record agreements (email recap), timeline for decisions, and next check-in. Plan helps convert conversation into commitments.
How ready do you feel on a 1–5 scale after preparing? Use this to decide whether to rehearse more.
1.0 10.0
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