Receiving a job offer is an exciting moment, representing the successful culmination of your search. Yet, it can also be a source of anxiety if the proposed salary doesn’t align with your expectations. Salary negotiation is a standard and often anticipated part of the hiring process. Far from being a confrontation, it is a business discussion about your market value and the contributions you will bring to the role.
Do Your Research Before Responding
A request for a higher salary needs to be grounded in data, not simply a feeling of wanting more. Conducting thorough research to build a case for your counteroffer demonstrates professionalism. A data-driven approach shows the employer that your request is based on objective market realities rather than personal desire.
Your research should focus on gathering salary benchmarks for your specific role, experience level, and geographic location. Websites like PayScale, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn Salary offer free reports and salary estimators based on user-submitted data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides detailed wage data across hundreds of occupations and locations, offering a government-backed source of information.
Beyond general market rates, you must also assess your unique value proposition. Document your specific skills, accomplishments, and qualifications that make you an especially strong candidate for this particular role. This self-assessment helps you articulate not just what the market pays, but why you are worth the higher figure you plan to request.
Determine Your Ideal Salary
With your research complete, the next step is to determine a specific number. This requires you to decide on a precise counteroffer, your target salary, and the absolute minimum you are willing to accept.
Instead of proposing a range, which can signal to the employer that you’re willing to accept the lower end, decide on a single, specific figure for your counteroffer. A common strategy is to ask for an amount slightly higher than your actual target salary. For example, a counteroffer between 10% and 20% above the initial offer is a reasonable starting point, as this creates room for negotiation.
You must also determine your “walk-away” number, which is the absolute minimum salary you would accept. This figure should be based on your financial needs, the market data you’ve collected, and what you believe your skills are worth. Knowing this number beforehand prevents you from making an emotional decision during negotiation and ensures you only accept an offer that meets your requirements.
How to Ask for More Money
Respond to the offer within 24 to 48 hours to demonstrate your enthusiasm and respect the employer’s timeline. Using email for your initial counteroffer is a sound strategy. It allows you to carefully word your request and provides a written record of the conversation to prevent misunderstandings.
The tone of your communication is important. Your message should be polite, enthusiastic, and collaborative, not demanding or entitled. Frame the conversation as a partnership aimed at finding a mutually beneficial outcome, reinforcing your excitement for the role.
Begin by expressing gratitude for the offer and reiterate your strong interest in the position and the company. This sets a positive and appreciative tone. You might mention something specific from the interview process that excited you to personalize the message.
Transition to the compensation discussion by connecting your value directly to the salary request. State your specific counteroffer clearly and confidently. Briefly justify your figure by referencing your research on market rates, your unique skills, and the value you will bring to the team. Conclude the email on a positive and flexible note, expressing your eagerness to find a solution that works for both parties.
Navigating the Outcome
After you send your counteroffer, the employer will respond in one of several ways, and being prepared for each scenario allows you to proceed professionally.
The most straightforward outcome is that they accept your request. In this case, graciously accept the revised offer. You should also request the new terms in a formal, updated written offer letter before you resign from your current position.
A more common response is for the employer to come back with a new counteroffer, a figure that lands somewhere between their original offer and your request. You will need to evaluate this new number against your predetermined target and walk-away salaries. If it meets your minimum threshold and you are otherwise excited about the role, this can be a successful outcome.
Sometimes, an employer will decline to negotiate on base salary, stating that their initial offer is final. If this happens, the conversation is not necessarily over, as you can pivot to negotiating non-salary benefits. Companies often have more flexibility in these areas, which can include:
- Additional paid time off
- A professional development stipend
- A signing bonus
- More flexible work-from-home arrangements
In very rare instances, an employer might rescind an offer in response to a negotiation attempt. This is highly unlikely if your request was professional, data-driven, and polite. Should this happen, it may be an indicator of a rigid company culture that you would not have thrived in anyway.