You make it through the interview process. Your references are checked. And it’s finally time to receive a job offer.
The offer letter comes via email and you find that the salary is below what you were hoping for.
It’s disappointing, but just because the initial offer was low, it doesn’t mean that’s what the final offer is going to be.
Negotiation is an expected part of the job offer process and doing it right is key to maximizing your earnings.
To that end, this article is going to walk through some best practices for salary negotiation, offer up a reply to offer letter for salary negotiation, and provide other recommendations for how to conduct salary negotiation via email.
Let’s dive in.
Contents
Best Practices for Salary Negotiation
Prior to unpacking how to reply to the job offer email, it’s first important to understand some high level best practices for salary negotiation.
Melanie R. Savelli, PhD, founder of Empowerhercareer.com, provided her best practices for salary negotiation below:
1. Research the market
Before entering into salary negotiations, research industry standards and average salaries for similar positions. This will give you a better idea of what to expect and help you make an informed decision.
2. Know your worth
Understand your own skills, experience, and accomplishments, and be prepared to articulate why you deserve the salary you’re requesting.
3. Practice active listening
During negotiations, actively listen to the other party and try to understand their perspective. This can help you find common ground and come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
4. Be flexible
While it’s important to have a clear idea of what you’re looking for in terms of salary, be open to other forms of compensation or benefits. This can include things like additional vacation time, flexible work arrangements, or professional development opportunities.
5. Stay professional
No matter how negotiations progress, always maintain a professional and respectful tone. Avoid making ultimatums or burning bridges, as this can have a negative impact on your future job prospects.
Remember, salary negotiations are a normal and expected part of the job search process, and approaching them with confidence and preparation can help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Reply to Offer Letter For Salary Negotiation Sample
With those high level best practices for salary negotiation in mind, we can turn our attention to a reply to offer letter for salary negotiation email template.
Anthony Allen, VP of Recruiting at SupplyChain Talent Advisors, provided a template that you can leverage below:
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I would like to express my gratitude for the job offer extended to me for the [Position Title] role at [Company Name]. I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to [specific projects or goals that align with the company’s mission].
After thoroughly reviewing the offer, I noticed that the proposed starting salary is $[initial offer amount]. While I appreciate the offer, I would like to discuss the possibility of adjusting the salary to better reflect my experience and expertise in this field. Based on my research, the average salary range for this role in our industry and region is $[market-based salary range]. Considering my [number of years] of experience, as well as my proven track record in [specific accomplishments or skills], I kindly request that you consider a revised salary of $[desired salary] for this position.
I understand that a company’s budget might have constraints, and I want to express my willingness to discuss other forms of compensation, such as performance-based bonuses or stock options, if a direct increase in the base salary is not feasible at this time.
Please let me know if there is a convenient time for us to discuss this matter further, either via phone or in person. Once again, I am truly enthusiastic about the prospect of joining the [Company Name] team and am confident that my skills and experience will make a significant impact on the organization.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to our conversation.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
How to Respond If Your Salary Request Is Denied
Even when you approach everything correctly from a salary negotiation perspective there are times that the company simply doesn’t have the budget to up their salary offer.
Eric Jones, CEO of CoutureCandy offers some recommendations for how to respond if your salary request is denied:
Acknowledge the decision
Thank the employer for considering your request and acknowledge the decision. For example, you could say, “thank you for considering my request for a higher salary. I understand that the offer as it stands is the best option for the company.”
Express your continued interest
Reinforce your interest in the position and the company. Let them know that you are still excited about the opportunity to work with them. For example, you could say, “I remain very interested in this position and the opportunity to contribute to the team.”
Ask for feedback
Ask for feedback on what factors were considered when making the decision. This can help you understand why your request was declined and what you could do differently in future negotiations. For example, you could say, “can you provide me with some feedback on why my request was declined? This will help me understand how I can be a stronger candidate in the future.”
Negotiate other benefits
If the salary is not negotiable, consider negotiating other benefits such as additional vacation days, flexible work hours, or a signing bonus. For example, you could say, “if the salary is not negotiable, would it be possible to discuss other benefits, such as additional vacation time?”
Make a decision
Consider the overall compensation package, the job responsibilities, and your own financial needs before making a decision. If the offer is not acceptable, be prepared to decline it respectfully.
What To Do If Your Salary Request Reply Doesn’t Get a Response
There may be a situation that you face where the company is slow to respond or simply doesn’t respond at all to your salary negotiation.
Janet Black, Managing Partner s at Core Executive Consultants, offers a recommendation for what to do if you face that situation:
If the salary request reply email does not get a response, candidates should follow up with a polite and professional email. It’s important to remember that the hiring manager might be busy, and it’s not personal if they do not respond immediately. If you are working closely with a recruiter they can also do this on your behalf.
Conclusion
Salary negotiation can be hard and uncomfortable. But is is critical to get right to achieve your compensation goals and maximizing your earnings.
So approach it with thoughtfulness and intentionally and you can find yourself significantly increasing your original salary offer.
