Community Perspectives: During the interview process should you always negotiate salary even if the first offer is acceptable?

In-house legal professionals discuss salary negotiations during the interview process.

Should you always negotiate salary? I told an employer what my salary range was and they offered the top range in the first round of negotiations? My total compensation would be an additional 25% on top of salary. I’m elated about the offer, but I’m concerned they’ll have doubts about me moving into a contract negotiation role if I don’t negotiate. Is this a valid concern or am I overthinking it?

General Counsel Responses:

Part of being a good negotiator is also understanding when it’s time to close and when to take yes for an answer. I actually did the same thing when I took my job, I didn’t negotiate their initial compensation offer. No one has not taken me seriously because of it.

Counsel Responses:

You're overthinking it. Feel free to try to negotiate more, sure, but it’s not a test.

Attorney and Associate Responses:

I understand where you are coming from on this, but you are overthinking it. Plus, in any event, that ship has sailed when you gave the range and they came in at the top. Instead of considering that they might think that you are a poor negotiator, consider that they may think that you were worth coming in at the top of your range to secure.
Agree re: overthinking. Plus at this point, it would probably do more harm to ask for more when they came in at the top of your range and the total compensation exceeds that. It gives the impression that your goal is to hit as hard as you can vs coming to a deal that makes everyone happy. I loathe that type of negotiator and they rarely are good for business.
Same. But you got what you wanted and you're on the same team now. Save your negotiation skills for work!