Never name a range. Ask for 15, 20 or 25% more, based on what you want.
If someone comes to me asking for 15-20% more, I'm going to offer them something below the low end of the range. You're essentially giving away 5% for free.
Re:How to Negotiate a Job Offer
by lawnchair_larry on Thursday May 30, 2013 @02:51PM
(#5794442)
Always name a range. Bound it on the low end by your minimum. Otherwise you're essentially removing their ability to give you n% for free.
In a few cases, I've seen offers come back right in the middle of the range, when I was expecting the bottom. Free money!
Ideally, have 2 offers that are aware of each other and name the range. They won't both come back with the bottom number. At least, not in this market. They've wasted a ton of time and need to hire someone, so they're going to make their offer count. Internal recruiters have performance-based metrics too, and while I'm sure getting a better deal on a hire looks good, failing to fill positions is not good.
The point is just to ask for what you want. Often people will give it to you just for asking. It took me a long time to figure this out!