The offer call

They've made an offer below your number and asked what you think. Everything you lose here, you lose in the next ninety seconds.

You are

A candidate who has just been made an offer after four rounds.

The situation

Helena Brooks, the hiring manager, is calling with the offer: 96,000 base, standard equity, standard benefits. You told the recruiter early on you were looking for 115. You want the job. You also have one other process at final stage that you have not mentioned.

What you want out of it

Improve the offer without damaging the relationship — and without negotiating against yourself.

What you already know

• — You said 115 to the recruiter in the first call.
• — The offer is 96 base.
• — You have a second process at final stage. It is real but not certain.
• — You want this job more than the other one.

4 things they won't volunteer, 2 of them buried.