It's a common misconception that you can't negotiate salary after an agency makes an offer. I'm expecting an offer soon.Salary negotiations don't take place during the interviewing process. You don't have a job offer so you really don't have anything to negotiate. If you need to negotiate your offer, keep the 3 M's in mind: Me, Missing, and Market. As you evaluate your offer and conduct compensation research, think about: But you may be able to negotiate a salary above the low end of the range. Start with your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). We allow new hires (who have significant experience) petition for a higher step in the starting scale. Salary negotiations are a normal part of the hiring process, so it's important to know the best ways to negotiate to get the job you want.