Salary negotiations can be one of the most stressful parts of the hiring process. You don't want to offend your new employer, but you also don't want to get ripped off. Making a proper counter offer requires some skill and finesse to communicate your salary needs in a professional manner.
That's where knowing how to write a salary counter offer email comes into play. A good counter offer email can help you make a stronger case for why you deserve a higher salary.
What is a counterproposal?
A counter offer is your response to the hiring company's original salary offer. When you counteroffer, you are asking the company to reconsider its initial offer and increase the number. For example, if a company offers you a starting salary of $80,000, you can make it up to $85,000 or $90,000.
Countering is not uncommon, and some companies expect new hires to bargain a bit for higher wages. It is something that you could encourage yourself to do if you are readingtips for the first jobto prepare for your job search. There's no guarantee that a counter offer will be accepted, but it's still worth making one if you think you can get a better deal.
Writing a counter offer email can be a great way to communicate what you hope to get. If you are being hired at your first job, you may not know how to write a counter offer salary email. The good news is that it is not as complicated as you think.
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When to counter a salary offer
There are different reasons why a job seeker may decide to make a salary counteroffer. Here are some of the more common scenarios in which a counter offer might be appropriate:
• The company is offering a salary below the industry average.
• You believe that your skills and/or experience are sufficient to receive a higher salary.
• Salary is not enough to meet your financial needs.
• You received a higher offer from a competitor.
If you are negotiating the salary of your first job, it is important to knowwhat is competitive salaryfor this type of work and for someone with your experience?
Starting salaries are naturally lower than the salaries of people with more experience or education. However, this does not mean that you should automatically accept a lower salary for an entry-level position if similar companies pay more.
Researching the pay ranges for the type of job you're accepting can help you determine the highs and lows for a salary negotiation. It may also be useful to knowwhich operations generate more moneyand how much people at different levels within that trade or industry earn.
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Keys to ask for more salary
There is some basis for negotiating a higher salary, whether as a new hire or as an employee looking for a raise. Here are some of the most important things to consider when asking for more salary:
• Research average salaries in your industry for employees with skills or experience that match yours.
• Know what you bring to the table and be prepared to back it up with examples.
• Be confident in your approach
• Be realistic and understand what the company can reasonably offer you.
It's also important to get your raise request in writing, as it gives you an opportunity to describe in detail your justification for a raise. This is where knowing how to write salary counter offer emails comes in handy.
Should you trade your job offer (even if it's already pretty good?)
Negotiating salary or other benefits is not something you necessarily have to do. And you might feel a bit uncomfortable asking your new employer for more money up front. But it may still be worth negotiating certain aspects of your salary or benefits if you feel you have some leeway.
For example, you might be willing to accept alowest offer for sharesif you believe that the value of the company will only increase in the future. One of the advantages of buying company stock through your employer is that you can get it at a discounted price.
Tuition assistance is another thing that may be worth negotiating if you're starting your career with student loans in tow. Employers are increasingly offering help with student loans and tuition debt to attract and retain talented employees. This type of benefit may be worth negotiating if your company is open to the idea.
A signing bonus can also help offset a lower salary. If the bonus is particularly lucrative, this can be a tempting reason to skip salary negotiations. Of course, you'll want to go over the basics ofhow to claim the signing bonusbefore you start trading.
Should you negotiate your salary over email or over the phone?
If you are interested in trying to get a higher salary from your employer, choose your approach carefully. Asking for a pay raise over the phone has its pros and cons. Your employer may feel that you have been put on the spot. Or you may be so nervous that you stumble over your words and don't communicate your request clearly.
Putting your request in writing can take the pressure off both sides. It may be easier for you to explain in writing why you think you deserve a higher salary, and you can take your time writing your email. You can expand on how you think you can help the company and why making a bigger investment in your salary is justified. You can also use your email to compare the salary offer to industry averages to make your case.
An email also gives your employer a chance to review your arguments and make a decision without feeling rushed. And if they decide to go against your counter offer, they may prefer to send it to you in email format so that there is a paper record of all salary discussions.
Steps to make a salary counter offer
Going against an employer's salary offer can be stressful, so it's wise to have a plan or strategy. We've put together a helpful checklist of what to do when starting salary negotiations.
Find Comparable Salaries
As mentioned, it is important to know what the average salary is for the industry and the type of job you are taking. You don't want to make a counter offer that is too outside the norm of what employees with the same skill set and experience level are doing, as this could cause the employer to decline.
The wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is a good place to start your search. You can also check salaries on sites like Payscale.com or Salary.com to see what kind of base salary your competitors are offering.
Review the benefits package
Before negotiating salary, it's helpful to review everything the employer offers. This could include things like subsidized health insurance, a strong retirement plan, paid time off, stock options, school attendance, or a remote work option. Weighing the value of these benefits against salary can help you decide if your salary is worth negotiating.
If you are offered great benefits but a lower salary, get aSecond jobcan help fill the void. You may already have experience earning side money if you've had anyjobs that pay for collegesuch as babysitting, walking the dog, or working at a concert.
Know their value
A little self awareness goes a long way. When you're applying for your first job, you may not have much work experience yet. Instead, you can focus more on your college achievements, skills, personality traits, and other qualities that make you an attractive candidate for the job.
Take the time to craft your counter offer
The next step is the most important because you want to make sure that you carefully word your counter offer salary email to convey what you want in a respectful way. You want to start your email with a polite introduction and state your request briefly at the beginning. Then explain in more detail why you think your counter offer is appropriate, and end the letter politely. It's also important to check who you're sending the email to to make sure it's getting to the right place.
Negotiate with your employer
Once your employer receives your salary counter offer email, they will review and respond to it. His immediate answer might be no, at which point he will have to decide if he wants to keep trying to negotiate. If you are willing to negotiate, you can start salary discussions to see if you can reach an agreement that works for both of you. It's important to be willing to compromise here, as going in too hard can cause the employer to rescind your offer and hire someone else.
Make your final decisions
After salary negotiations are complete, your employer may give you a little more time to make a decision. At that point, you will have to decide whether to accept the final salary offer or change jobs. (By the way, save the offer email - it can serve asproof of income for studentloans and apartment applications.)
You may want to review your finances before deciding if the salary is acceptable. using afree quote appit can help you get a better idea of what kind of income you need to cover your expenses.
If you decide to decline, you'll want to do so politely. Burning bridges is a bad idea if you later apply for a position with the same company.
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Salary Counterproposal Email (Sample Templates)
If you've never tried to write a counterproposal before, you may not know what your letter should include. To make things easier, here are guides on how to write a salary counterproposal email in different situations.
Additional Compensation Request (Sample Email)
Dear Director of Human Resources,
Thank you for bidding on [company name] for the position of [position]. This is a very exciting opportunity and I am confident that I will be able to make a positive contribution to the team.
I would like to know if there is room to negotiate the base salary of the function. Based on my research, the industry average for this role is [gap to gap] for someone with comparable experience and skills to mine. I believe that a salary closer to [$$$] would be more appropriate, considering my education and the requirements of the position.
Please advise if you are willing to discuss this as soon as possible.
Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Carefully,
[Your name]
Respond to a low offer (sample email)
Dear Director of Human Resources,
Thank you for bidding on [company name] for the position of [position]. This is a very exciting opportunity and I am confident that I will be able to make a positive contribution to the team.
I would like to know if there is room to negotiate the base salary of the position, since it seems to be less than the average salary that is normally offered for this type of position. Based on my research, the industry average for this role is [gap to gap] for someone with comparable experience and skills to mine. I believe that a salary closer to [$$$] would be more appropriate, considering my education and the requirements of the position.
Please advise if you are willing to discuss this as soon as possible.
Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Carefully,
[Your name]
Take advantage of a competitor's offer (sample email)
Dear Director of Human Resources,
Thank you for bidding on [company name] for the position of [position]. This is a very exciting opportunity and I am confident that I will be able to make a positive contribution to the team.
I would like to know if there is room to negotiate the base salary of the position, since I am considering an offer from another company. They are offering a base salary of [$$$] along with a competitive benefits package that includes [list of benefits].
I am very interested in accepting the offer to work at [your company] if you can [match or increase] the base salary. Please advise if you are willing to discuss this as soon as possible.
Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Carefully,
[Your name]
Accept offer (email example)
Dear Director of Human Resources,
I am pleased to accept the offer for the [job name] position at [company name] which was extended on [date]. I look forward to working with the team and welcome the opportunity to negotiate a compensation and benefits package that is acceptable to all parties involved.
Based on our negotiations, I understand that my starting salary will be [$$$] and that my benefits package will include [list of benefits]. I expect to start work on [date].
Thank you so much,
[Your name]
Decline the offer (email example)
Dear Director of Human Resources,
Thank you for extending a job offer at [company name]. I enjoyed getting to know you throughout the hiring process and appreciate your willingness to consider my request for salary negotiation.
At this time, I must respectfully decline the position. Thank you again for the opportunity to discuss the work and I am sorry that we were unable to reach a compromise that was suitable for all parties involved.
I hope you find a suitable candidate for the position.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
oh take away
It's natural to want to get what you deserve, and it may be necessary to negotiate your salary to get what you want when accepting a job offer. You should research competitive wages for your industry and type of work, as well as consider the full benefits package. In email communications with your potential employer, it's important to always be courteous, professional, concise, and confident.
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Frequent questions
How do you politely negotiate salary over email?
Politely negotiating salary over email comes down to using respectful language and clearly explaining your needs and expectations. You want to make your case clearly and simply, and then allow your employer time to formulate a response.
How do you politely dispute a salary offer?
Politely declining a salary offer means standing up for a better salary firmly but with respect. You should make sure you direct your counter offer to the right person and explain why you are asking for a higher payment.
How do you negotiate salary after receiving a job offer?
After you receive a job offer, you can review the terms and compose a short email to ask if the employer is willing to consider salary negotiations. Then you should wait for their response to see if they are open to negotiation. If they are, you can make your salary counter offer.
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