How to Negotiate a Salary After Being Lowballed
Getting the job offer is the first stage of winning the game, but when the offer is much lower than you anticipated, you can feel defeated. Even in a tough economy there is often room for salary negotiations. As the front-runner for the position, you are in a good position to ask for -- and get -- the money that you were hoping for. Argue your case effectively and you may reach an agreement that you and the company feel good about.
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Instructions
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Compare the offer to the salaries of similar positions in your area. Sites like GlassDoor.com allow you to look at area- and job-specific salaries. What may have seemed like a lowball offer may be in line with the going rate in your area.
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Talk to the hiring manager about how she arrived at the number. This allows you to see where the company is coming from and to clear up any potential misunderstanding you may have had.
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Write a counter-offer. The letter should start by focusing on what you bring to the company and how the company will benefit by hiring you over someone else. Then, state a salary that's slightly higher than what you actually want.
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Wait for the company's reply. The company may accept your counter-offer or may come back with a lower offer that you're willing to take, at which point you can accept the job offer under the new terms. Occasionally, the company will still offer you less than you want or may state that the salary is non-negotiable.
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Ask for alternative compensation, such as increased vacation time or a performance bonus. An early salary review may also be acceptable to you, allowing you to take the lowball offer now, with the promise of more money later.
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Tips & Warnings
If you still can't reach an agreement that you're happy with, consider how much the job means to you. If you've been looking for a job for a long time, you may feel that this is all you can get, but you may end up working for years before you reach the salary level you had hoped for.
References
- AOL Jobs; Can You Negotiate a Low-Ball Salary Offer in This Economy?; Barbara Safani; June 2010
- The Ladders; How to Negotiate a Larger Salary From a Lowball Offer; Jack Chapman; October 2008
- QuintCareers.com; Job Offer Too Low? Use These Key Salary Negotiation Techniques to Write a Counter Proposal Letter; Randall S. Hansen
