How to negotiate salary offer by email

Negotiating a salary offer by email can be a bit tricky, but here are some tips to help you do it effectively:

Before you start:

  1. Research the market: Know the average salary range for your position in your location to make a strong case for your desired salary.
  2. Know your worth: Make a list of your skills, qualifications, and achievements to demonstrate your value to the company.
  3. Set a target salary range: Based on your research and self-evaluation, set a realistic target salary range that you feel comfortable with.

The email:

  1. Use a professional tone: Keep your email professional, polite, and concise.
  2. Address the offer: Start by acknowledging the offer and expressing your enthusiasm for the role.
  3. State your concerns: Clearly state your concerns about the salary offer, e.g., "After careful consideration, I was hoping we could discuss the salary offer of $X, as it is below my expected range of $Y to $Z."
  4. Provide justification: Provide specific examples of your skills, qualifications, and achievements that justify your desired salary range.
  5. Be flexible: Show willingness to negotiate and be open to alternative solutions, e.g., "I understand that the company may not be able to meet my target salary range, but I would be willing to consider a compromise of $A to $B."
  6. End with a positive note: Close the email by reiterating your interest in the role and looking forward to discussing the salary further.

Example email:

Subject: Salary Negotiation for [Position] Role

Dear [Hiring Manager],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to express my gratitude for the offer to join [Company] as [Position]. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the team and am looking forward to discussing the details further.

After careful consideration, I was hoping we could discuss the salary offer of $X. While I am enthusiastic about the role, I was expecting a salary range of $Y to $Z, based on my research and industry standards. I believe my skills and qualifications, including [list specific achievements], make me a strong candidate for this position, and I would like to discuss how my compensation can be adjusted to reflect my value to the company.

I understand that the company may not be able to meet my target salary range, but I would be willing to consider a compromise of $A to $B. I am open to alternative solutions and am eager to find a mutually beneficial agreement.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to discussing this further and exploring ways to make this opportunity work for both of us.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

After the email:

  1. Wait for a response: Give the hiring manager time to respond and consider your request.
  2. Be prepared to negotiate: Be prepared to have a follow-up conversation to discuss the salary further.
  3. Be professional and patient: Remember to stay professional and patient throughout the negotiation process.

Remember, negotiating a salary offer by email is just the first step. Be prepared to have a follow-up conversation to finalize the details. Good luck!