English for Salary Negotiations: 5 Mistakes to Stop Making

Most people are nervous enough going into a salary negotiation without also saying the wrong thing in English. The problem is that many learners rely on direct translations from their first language, or they’ve picked up phrases from films that sound awkward in a real professional setting. The result? You come across as either too aggressive, too passive, or just a little off — and none of those help your case.

These mistakes are genuinely common. They’re not signs of a weak English level; they’re signs that nobody taught you the specific register and phrasing that salary conversations require. Let’s fix that.

The Mistakes (and What to Say Instead)

Mistake 1

Wrong: “I want a salary of €60,000.”
Correct: “I’m looking for something in the region of €60,000.”

“I want” sounds blunt to the point of rudeness in formal English. Softening your language with phrases like I’m looking for or I was hoping for shows confidence without sounding like a demand. You’re negotiating, not ordering from a menu.

Mistake 2

Wrong: “This salary is not enough for me.”
Correct: “I was hoping the package could be a little more competitive.”

Saying something “is not enough” puts the focus on your personal dissatisfaction. The corrected version shifts the focus to the package itself and keeps the tone professional. You’re discussing the offer, not complaining about it.

Mistake 3

Wrong: “Can you give me more money?”
Correct: “Is there any flexibility on the base salary?”

“Give me” is the kind of phrasing that makes hiring managers wince. Asking about flexibility is a standard, professional move. It invites a conversation rather than putting the other person on the spot. This kind of phrasing is exactly what separates a confident negotiator from someone who just sounds demanding.

Practicing these patterns out loud, with real feedback, makes a significant difference. It’s phrases like this one we work on in our daily coaching programme. For more details, click here.

Mistake 4

Wrong: “My current salary is €50,000 so you must pay more.”
Correct: “My current package is €50,000, so I’d ideally be looking to move upward from that.”

“Must” is far too strong here and will immediately put a recruiter on the defensive. The corrected version presents your current salary as a reference point, not an ultimatum. Notice also the use of package rather than just salary — it signals that you understand total compensation, not just the headline number.

Mistake 5

Wrong: “I accept” or complete silence when they make an offer.
Correct: “Thank you. Could I have a little time to consider the full details?”

Accepting on the spot, or saying nothing at all, costs you negotiating power. A brief, polite request for time is completely standard and signals that you take the decision seriously. Nobody expects you to sign the contract before the coffee gets cold.

The Pattern Behind These Mistakes

Look back at all five corrections and you’ll notice a consistent thread: the wrong versions are direct translations of logical thoughts, and the correct versions use what linguists call hedging language.

Hedging means softening a statement so it sounds like a position in a conversation, rather than a final demand. English, particularly in professional British and international business contexts, uses hedging constantly. Phrases like I was hoping, ideally, in the region of, and is there any flexibility are not signs of weakness. They are the standard code of professional negotiation.

Direct languages (and direct translations) can make a speaker sound aggressive or entitled in English, even when that’s the last thing they intend. Understanding this register gap is one of the most useful things an advanced learner can do.

The same principle applies in emails, performance reviews, and any conversation where you’re making a request that involves someone else’s decision. Once you see the pattern, you start spotting it everywhere.

Quick-Reference Summary

• Replace “I want” with I’m looking for or I was hoping for
• Focus on the offer or package, not on your personal feelings about it
• Use flexibility when asking for a higher number
• Avoid “must” — use ideally or I’d be looking to instead
• Always ask for time before accepting; it’s expected, not rude
• Hedging language signals professionalism, not weakness

Vocabulary to Know

• in the region of /ɪn ðə ˈriːdʒən ɒv/ – Level: B2 – approximately; used to give a figure without committing to an exact number – Example: I’m looking for something in the region of €55,000.
• flexibility /ˌflɛksɪˈbɪlɪti/ – Level: B1 – the ability to change or adapt; in negotiation, the willingness to adjust an offer – Example: Is there any flexibility on the start date or the salary?
• hedging language /ˈhɛdʒɪŋ ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/ – Level: C1 – words and phrases used to make statements less direct or absolute – Example: Using hedging language like “I was hoping” makes requests sound more professional.
• package /ˈpækɪdʒ/ – Level: B1 – the full set of pay and benefits offered by an employer, not just the base salary – Example: The package includes a pension, health insurance, and a performance bonus.
• base salary /beɪs ˈsæləri/ – Level: B2 – the fixed amount paid before bonuses or additional benefits – Example: My base salary is €48,000, not including commission.
• competitive /kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv/ – Level: B2 – comparable to or better than what others in the market offer – Example: We believe we offer a competitive salary for this level of experience.
• counter-offer /ˈkaʊntər ˌɒfə/ – Level: B2 – a response to an initial offer that proposes different terms – Example: After reviewing the package, she made a counter-offer of €5,000 more.
• leverage /ˈliːvərɪdʒ/ – Level: C1 – an advantage or power you can use to influence a negotiation – Example: Having a competing job offer gives you real leverage in salary discussions.
• to table an offer /tə ˈteɪbl ən ˈɒfə/ – Level: C1 – to formally put an offer forward for consideration (note: in American English, “to table” means to postpone — context matters) – Example: The company tabled an offer of €62,000 plus benefits.
• remuneration /rɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃən/ – Level: C2 – a formal term for payment or reward for work done – Example: The contract outlined the full remuneration structure including bonuses and equity.

FAQ

Is it rude to negotiate salary in English-speaking workplaces?

Not at all. In most professional contexts, a calm, reasoned negotiation is expected. Employers often leave some room in an offer precisely because they anticipate a conversation. What matters is tone and phrasing, which is exactly what this post covers.

What if my English level isn’t high enough to negotiate confidently?

You don’t need perfect English to negotiate well. You need the right phrases and enough practice to deliver them without freezing. Even learners at a solid B2 level can negotiate effectively with the correct vocabulary and a bit of preparation. That preparation is something we build into the daily coaching programme at richardg.xyz.

Should I mention my current salary first, or wait for them to make an offer?

Where possible, let the employer state a number first. This gives you a reference point and means you’re responding rather than anchoring low. If they push you to go first, use a range: “I’m looking for something in the region of X to Y, depending on the full package.” That keeps you flexible without giving away your minimum.

Salary negotiations are stressful enough without worrying about your English. If you want to practise these phrases in real conversation, get feedback on your tone, and build the kind of professional vocabulary that actually comes up at work, that’s what the daily coaching programme is for. Take a look at what’s included: richardg.xyz/subscription.