Negotiating an offer without risking it
Offers are rarely withdrawn for negotiating. They are frequently under accepted.
The fear that asking for more will lose the offer is nearly always unfounded. A company that has run four interview stages does not restart because you asked a question.
Get the whole picture first
Base, bonus structure and whether it has ever paid out, equity with the strike price and vesting, pension contribution, leave, notice period, equipment and learning budget, and review timing. Ask for it in writing before responding to any of it.
Ask once, clearly, with a reason
One well framed ask beats three rounds of haggling. Give a number, give the reason, and say what you would sign. I am excited about this and would sign today at this figure. It reflects the scope we discussed and what similar roles pay in this market.
When base is genuinely fixed
Move to the things that are not: an earlier review date, extra leave, a larger equipment or learning budget, a signing amount, a shorter notice period, or a title. These are often granted without escalation because they do not touch the band.
Do not bluff
Inventing a competing offer is a bad risk with little upside. If you genuinely have one, use it plainly and without drama. If you do not, argue from scope and market instead.
Get it in writing
Everything agreed goes in the contract. A verbal promise about a review in six months survives exactly as long as the manager who made it.
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