How To Negotiate A Salary

How to negotiate a salary is something we have all wondered. Do we say what we want outright? Do we send a salary negotiation email? Isn’t it funny how asking for more money is hard? The fact is, if you know your worth, you have every right to ask for more money, especially if you believe your job title and responsibilities (and your experience) requires a little bit more payment.

People believe it is better to send an email asking for more money rather than having an awkward conversation over the phone. The language you use needs to be professional and convincing, but not arrogant or demanding. This is a delicate balance to achieve, especially if you are trying to negotiate a salary after your job offer.

How To Negotiate A Salary

What To Say When Negotiating Salary?

So you have been offered a job! Huzzah! Unfortunately, the pay isn’t exactly what you expected. So what can you do about it? Luckily negotiating a higher salary isn’t as hard as you may think it is. Despite this, only 1 in 3 people negotiate their starting salary. Why? People feel awkward asking for more money, and lack of negotiation skills might contribute as well. It is a good idea to hone in your negotiation skills and start practising asking for more money. Luckily, we have made it easy for you; follow our salary negotiation tips to hopefully get yourself a higher starting salary.

Salary Negotiation Tips

  • Have a number in mind. Make sure you have done your homework and have a figure in mind before you start negotiating a salary. Have a look at the average earnings for someone with your job title and experience. You should also have a look at what sort of money is reasonable to you and your circumstances. Don't ask for a considerable amount of money if you have less than a years experience - you will come across as arrogant.

  • If you're asked what your salary expectation is, try to be vague or non-committal. We hate being asked this question; it's so awkward! But, you will get asked this by one or two hiring managers at some point. Again doing your homework about the average salary will help. Keep your answers vague; "I'll consider any reasonable offer." Or, "I am flexible in my expectations."

  • If you have been offered the job and a starting salary, take the time to consider your opinions. Don't say yes immediately. Make sure you read your contract and take note of any benefits on offer, too, such as a pension, travel allowance and free lunches. Your benefits package will have some monetary value, and you will need to remember this when negotiating your salary.

  • Ask for 10-25% more than what was offered. If you were hoping for £20.000 a year and were only offered £15,000, make a counteroffer of £25,000. You have a higher chance of getting £20,000.

  • You will have to know your worth. You can't just say I want £10k more because you need to eat and pay the bills (even though, that's the truth!) You need to sell yourself and look back on your experience. Have you managed people? What accomplishments have you achieved? Have you improved performance? Sit and write down all your pros and make sure they are of value to your salary negotiation.

  • They may say no. There is a chance that your counteroffer will be rejected. At this point, you can accept the original offer, or you need to decide how desperate you are for this job.

Most people find sending an email for their negotiations better than over the phone or face to face. Use our salary negotiation email as a template and see how to negotiate a job offer.

How To Negotiate A Salary

Salary Negotiation Email

Here we have some salary negotiation emails for you to use as a template for your own salary negotiations. Just fill in the required information to customise the email template for your situation.

Salary Negotiation Email Example 1


Dear [MANAGER/HIRING MANAGER NAME].

Thank you for your recent job offer and salary offer of [AMOUNT]. While I am grateful for the offer, I was hoping for something more in the range of [DESIRED AMOUNT]. This amount is more in the range of industry-standard and my [LIST YOUR EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS].

I am looking forward to working with you and hope we can come to an agreement on my salary to ensure I can get started as quickly as possible. If prefered, I can come and meet you to discuss both of our requirements in greater detail.

Regards,
[YOUR NAME]

Salary Negotiation Email Example 2


Dear [MANAGER/HIRING MANAGER NAME].

Thank you for offering me the [TITLE OF POSITION]. I want to express again how excited I am to be working for [NAME OF COMPANY/WORKPLACE].

Before I accept the job offer, I would like to discuss the issue of salary further. The offered [AMOUNT] isn’t what I would expect for this job role. Considering my [LIST YOUR EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS]. I believe the amount of [DESIRED AMOUNT] is more in keeping for my skills.

I can certainly see a future for myself at [COMPANY/WORKPLACE NAME] and believe I am an asset.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
[YOUR NAME]

Salary Negotiation Email Example 3


Dear [MANAGER/HIRING MANAGER NAME].

I enjoyed meeting with you on [DATE WHEN YOU MET] and to discuss the role of [JOB POSITION]. While I am indeed grateful for the job offer and still firmly believe this will be a fantastic opportunity for me, I would like to discuss the proposed salary of [AMOUNT].

The salary, however generous, I would like to make a counteroffer of [DESIRED AMOUNT]. With my [LIST YOUR EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS] I also understand this amount is in keeping with the industry standard.

I am looking forward to working with you and at [COMPANY/WORKPLACE NAME].

Regards,
[YOUR NAME]

So there you have it! Now you know how to negotiate a salary and how to negotiate a job offer. If you follow these tips and tricks, we are sure you will be able to get the salary and the job offer that you want. Perhaps you already got a job and are looking on how to get a pay rise? We have the best advice for you, too. Good luck!

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