How to Ask for a Higher Salary When Offered a Job
If you've been offered a job that seems ideal, except for the salary, don't fret. You don't have to either settle for the offer or walk away from the job offer. There is a third alternative. Negotiating for a higher salary after a job offer is a common business practice. With some finesse, you could have your ideal job and your ideal salary.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Thank the interviewer for the job offer and ask for some time to consider it. Typically, companies grant potential employees between a couple of days and a week or so to accept or decline a job offer. Once an offer has been accepted, negotiating a higher salary becomes much more difficult, if not impossible.
-
2
Research what a fair compensation would be. While the offer may indeed be too low, your idea of a fair salary may be inflated. Sites like PayScale.com offer salary comparison tools.
-
-
3
Contact the interviewer and explain that you want to discuss compensation. If you're a good communicator, do this over the phone; otherwise, do it in writing.
-
4
Explain that you're quite interested in the job opportunity but don't feel you can accept the offer at the current salary level. Tell him what salary you feel you are worth, but give a figure slightly higher than what you actually feel you should be earning. This leaves room for negotiating.
-
5
Explain why you are worth what you're asking for. You might explain how your skill set or experience can save or make the company money or improve efficiency. Tell the interviewer why you are worth the extra money, while continuing to show your interest in the company.
-
6
Try to make up the difference between what you're being offered and what you want to get paid in other ways if a higher salary is off the table. Some options are requesting a sign-on bonus, relocation assistance or shorter time frames between performance reviews and raises.
-
7
Ask for the negotiated offer in writing, but also be prepared to walk away completely from negotiations if the final offer is simply not acceptable.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
