Salary Negotiation in English at B2: What to Say and How Direct to Be
Asking for more money is uncomfortable in any language, and it is harder in a second one, because you must be clear and polite at the same time. This article gives you phrases for both a job offer and a raise, the vocabulary that differs between the UK and the US, and a way to keep the conversation calm.
Many people who work abroad accept the first offer, because they are grateful for the job and unsure how negotiation works in English. In most English-speaking workplaces a polite negotiation is normal and expected, especially for a new job. Employers rarely withdraw an offer because a candidate asked a reasonable question in a respectful way.
This article is about language, not about numbers. It does not tell you what you should earn, and you should check pay levels for your role and city yourself. If you are still preparing for the interview itself, job interviews abroad in English comes first. Here we start from the moment an offer arrives, or the moment you decide to ask for a raise.
Vocabulary that changes between the UK and the US
Some of the confusion is simply vocabulary. Employers use a set of words that a general course does not cover, and a few of them differ between countries. Learn these before you read a contract.
| Word or phrase | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pay rise | an increase in your salary | British. Americans say raise. |
| raise | an increase in your salary | American. In Britain, also understood. |
| salary | fixed yearly pay | Usually quoted per year, before tax |
| gross / net | before tax / after tax | Always check which one is meant |
| package | salary plus benefits | Also called total compensation, especially in the US |
| benefits | extras such as pension, health insurance, holiday | In the UK, holiday is called annual leave; in the US, vacation or PTO |
| bonus | extra pay linked to results | Ask whether it is guaranteed or discretionary |
| notice period | time between resigning and leaving | Common in the UK, often one to three months |
| probation | trial period at the start of a job | Also called a probationary period |
| equity / stock options | shares in the company | More common in the US and in start-ups |
Responding to an offer
When an offer arrives, do not answer yes or no on the spot. You are allowed to say you need time, and it is the most useful sentence in this article. A short delay signals that you take the decision seriously, and it gives you room to check the details.
The structure of a good reply has three parts: thank them, show that you are interested, and ask for a small step. Only then do you raise the number or the terms. It sounds like this: "Thank you very much. I am very excited about the role. Before I accept, I would like to talk about the salary."
- "Thank you for the offer. Could I have until Friday to think it over?"
- "I am very interested in the role. Could you send the details in writing?"
- "The offer is close to what I hoped for. Is there any flexibility on the salary?"
- "Based on my experience with this kind of work, I was expecting something a little higher. Would it be possible to discuss that?"
- "Is the salary quoted gross or net, and is there a bonus?"
How direct to be
Directness depends on the culture of the company as much as the country. In the US, a candidate is often expected to state a clear number or range. In the UK, the same request is usually wrapped in softer language, with a question form: "Would there be any room to move on the salary?" Both are polite. Neither should sound like an ultimatum.
A safe middle path is to name a number and give a reason, in a friendly tone. "Given my experience with customers in three markets, I was hoping for something closer to the upper end of the range you mentioned" is clear, respectful and hard to argue with. Avoid "I need" ("I need more money"), because it makes the conversation about your problem. "I would like" and "I was hoping for" make it about your value and the role.
| Phrase | Tone | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Would there be any room to move on the salary? | Gentle | Early in the conversation, UK style |
| I was hoping for something closer to the top of the range. | Polite and clear | Most situations |
| Given my experience, I would like to ask for a higher salary. | Confident | You have a strong case |
| Is this figure final? | Direct | You are unsure how much room exists |
| I would be happy to accept at a higher salary. | Firm and friendly | Close to a decision |
Asking for a raise in your current job
A raise conversation goes better with a private meeting and a few concrete examples of your work. Ask for the meeting first, in writing if possible, so your manager is not surprised: "Could we set aside 20 minutes to discuss my role and my salary?" Then start with the results, not the money.
A short structure helps. Say what you have done, say how your responsibilities have grown, then ask. "Over the last year I took on the onboarding of new clients and reduced the time to the first delivery. Given the added responsibility, I would like to discuss a pay rise." If the answer is not now, ask what would change it: "What would I need to achieve to be considered for a raise in six months?" That question keeps the door open and gives you a concrete target.
Polite pushback and staying calm
You will sometimes hear "There is no budget at the moment" or "That is the best we can do". You are not obliged to accept it immediately, and you are not obliged to argue. Ask about other parts of the package instead, such as extra leave, a training budget, flexible hours, a review date or a signing bonus. Many employers can change these more easily than a salary band.
- "I understand the budget is limited. Could we look at other parts of the package?"
- "Would you be open to reviewing the salary after six months?"
- "Could we agree on an extra week of annual leave instead?"
- "I appreciate your honesty. Let me think about it and come back to you."
- "Is there anything I could do to make a stronger case?"
Getting it in writing
A spoken promise is not an agreement. After any conversation where something was agreed, write a short, friendly message that confirms it: "Thank you for meeting me today. Just to confirm what we discussed: my salary will increase to the agreed amount from the first of next month, and we will review my role again in six months. Please let me know if I have misunderstood anything." The last sentence keeps the tone open, but it also creates a record.
For a new job, wait for the revised written offer or contract before you resign from your current one. Read the words you do not know before you sign, and check the meaning of notice period, probation, bonus and pension rather than guessing. The work vocabulary list and the B2 vocabulary list are a good place to check the general terms.
To keep the phrases from this article, save the ones you plan to use as cards in MindDory and review them in the app before your meeting.