Finding a dream job is a daunting task, but the stress reaches the next level when you get the job offer. Although getting an offer sounds exciting, you may not be happy with the starting salary or employment terms. At the same time, you will probably not want to give up on a dream employer and an ideal role only because the dollar figure is below your expectations. Fortunately, you can find a middle path by mastering the skill of negotiations and counteroffers. Moreover, you must follow some best practices to get the best outcomes in the long run. Although there is no proven way to get the figure you want, these best practices definitely put you in a good place with negotiations. Let us share some salary counter offer rules that professionals must know.
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Rule #1- Invest effort in industry research
Countering an initial salary offer requires a strategic approach instead of simply quoting a higher figure. You must provide valid evidence to support your quote and show why it is reasonable. The best way to do it is by investing effort in industry research. You can check the current pay rates in the industry. Dig deep to find the salaries for similar roles, skill levels, and experience. You can move a step ahead by checking the numbers for the potential recruiter. The good thing is that you need not sweat much to get a hand on all the numbers because platforms like Glassdoor and PayScale offer reliable information. You can even consider connecting directly with employees of the company to get first-hand insights from people on the ground.
Rule #2- Assess your strengths and weaknesses
Besides getting a complete overview of the industry standards, you must assess your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing them helps you demonstrate why you deserve more than the employer’s initial offer. You can do it by highlighting the valuable and unique skills you can bring to the company as an employee. For example, list factors that set you apart from others competing for the same position. You can combine this information with industry research to make a compelling counteroffer. Consider it a chance to remind the hiring manager about the value you can give to the company.
Rule #3- Be honest
Honesty is another unspoken rule you must follow while negotiating your salary with a potential employer. Be honest with information like your prior compensation and level of experience while leveraging it for negotiation. You must also have valid evidence to support the claims, such as the salary slips from the last job and your educational degrees and certificates. Lying is the last thing you should do because your employer will probably learn the truth sooner than later. Being honest builds trust and ensures a strong employment relationship for the long haul.
Rule #4- Ask for time to make a decision
Rushing with the counteroffer is not the best thing to do when looking for a job. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how to counter offer salary email, you must be patient while handling the situation. Start by thanking the recruiter for their consideration because gratitude demonstrates professionalism. Request them to give you reasonable time to think over the decision instead of quoting a figure right away. They may give you a deadline, though you must try to get back within a couple of days. Utilize the time to research and prepare a compelling case for a fair and reasonable counteroffer.
Rule #5- Understand the employer’s constraints
Although you may always want to maximize your compensation, you must understand the employer’s constraints while negotiating salaries. An effective negotiation works for both parties, so you cannot expect the employer to go over the top to give it to your whims. Consider factors like company size, revenues, and growth potential. You can settle for a lower figure while joining a promising startup likely to grow rapidly in the near future. Likewise, external factors like recession in the industry or economy may limit a company’s capacity at present, but it will probably bounce back sooner than later.
Rule #6- Keep a flexible mindset
Besides understanding the employer’s constraints is vital, you must also keep a flexible mindset to negotiate successfully. Of course, you want to be firm about your expectations, but it may not always help. You may actually end up missing out on good opportunities by being too rigid about the salary figure. A flexible approach is better because it enables you to see beyond the dollar figure of the compensation. Consider factors like benefits, perks, remote work options, and the work environment of the company. You may even settle for a lower figure if everything else looks good.
Rule #7- Show some enthusiasm
Another counter-negotiation rule to make the most out of an offer is to show some enthusiasm for an opportunity. Expressing continued interest in the offer gives a great impression to the recruiter. They see you as a valuable potential employee for the organization due to your keen approach to collaborating with them for a solution that works for everyone. It also shows a genuine interest in being a part of the team and contributing to its growth rather than just chasing money. Organizations are keen to hire loyal people and may even pay a tad more to retain them for the long haul.
Rule #8- Practice your counteroffer pitch
Negotiating salary is more than quoting an amount the recruiter will accept. It is also about how you pitch it, from the language you write in your emails to the verbal cues and body language you use during in-person interactions. As a rule, you must rehearse the pitch with a friend or colleague before going ahead with the counteroffer. Practice makes you far more confident, so you must get enough as a beginner and even a seasoned candidate. You will be in a better place when it comes to answering questions and justifying your counter offer claim.
Rule #9- Get written documentation
The salary negotiation process is mainly about verbal conversations between recruiters and candidates. But you should never settle for word of mouth, no matter how great the terms of the job offer sound. Seek a revised written version of the offer to seal the deal. You can ask the recruiter for an email copy or a physical letter and retain it as proof of the final offer in the long run.
Rule #10- Focus on facts
Another rule you must stick with during a counteroffer is to focus on facts instead of emotions. You may have always wanted to work for an employer or in a specific role, but do not let a dream opportunity cloud your judgment. Know what you deserve and decide the figure you will need to sustain yourself according to the cost of living in the location. Drill every detail to choose wisely, not impulsively.
Salary negotiations are perhaps the most challenging part of finding a job. Most candidates are not comfortable with the money talk, and some do not know how to counter salary offers confidently. You can rely on these rules to do your best with counter offers and negotiations, regardless of your skills, experience, and mindset.
I am a passionate, adventurous, and insatiate learner who loves to write about the latest technology trends. My experience working in an MNC has motivated me to understand that there are certain niche requirements for writing strategically about brands’ messages towards people’s interests which I’ve mastered over time through trial and error of many projects under various clients across diverse industries. It is my honest effort to put my experiences and knowledge of industry towards readers.
