Contents
Introduction
Check out : The Importance of Keywords in Your Resume
How to write Salary Negotiation Emails ?
Here is a step-by-step guide showing how to write a salary negotiation email:
1. Keep it professional
When composing your email, include the full name of the person you’re addressing the email to. In most cases, this is the hiring manager or the recruitment adviser you’ve been dealing with. If you’re seeking a negotiation in your current role, this may be your current manager.
2. Create a clear subject title
Make sure your subject line is relevant, but don’t include salary in the subject. For example, Response to your offer of sales manager position clarifies what the email entails but doesn’t specifically call out salary in the subject. You can get to that in the body of the email.
3. Select an appropriate greeting
Be professional by using an appropriate greeting. Depending on your initial interactions, this may be formal, for example, Dear Mr Brown, or informal, such as, Hi John. Use your experience to determine the most appropriate greeting. If in doubt, opt for formal. If emailing your existing manager, the greeting depends on your relationship.
4. Thank the employer for their offer
Show your appreciation for the offer in the first paragraph. Thank the employer and outline your excitement for the opportunity. If you received a verbal offer, now is an excellent opportunity to re-state the details for clarity.
5. Be specific about salary
When responding to the salary offer, be specific about what you want. Having a specific number in mind or a salary range is a good idea before starting negotiations. Be upfront, so each side knows if it is possible to progress. If you would prefer not to be specific, clearly state that the salary doesn’t meet your expectations. If that’s the case, ask if there is an opportunity to review.
6. Reinforce your experience and qualifications
This is your opportunity to show your worth, so include your experience and qualifications. Think about five or six things you know you could excel at in the role and write them down to help create specific examples to include. The better your case for increasing the salary offer, the more reasonable your request may seem.
7. Include other negotiable items
Check your offer to determine if there are any other items you are willing to negotiate. Outline those details in the email. For example, consider if there are any benefits you could ask for.
8. Finish with positive language
Sign off the email by again reiterating your genuine interest in the role. That way, the employer knows it’s worthwhile to try to make your request work. Thank them again for the offer and confirm the next steps. For example, I look forward to hearing from you via phone or email to discuss further. Include your full name in the sign-off for clarity and a professional appearance.
Tips for negotiating your salary in an email
Here are some tips to consider when composing your salary negotiation email:
Take your time
Give yourself some time after receiving the offer to reflect. Don’t respond immediately. Companies usually allow time to consider the offer. Having this time provides you with an opportunity to go over all the details included in the remuneration package and the base salary component.
Keep it concise
While it is important to highlight your skills and expertise, aim for no longer than three to four paragraphs for the entire email. The email can feature an intro, body and conclusion.
Consider tone
Miscommunication issues can be a common result of email communication, so re-read your email before sending to consider tone. If anything is unclear or could be confusing, simplify the language. It’s critical to stay polite and enthusiastic and ensure it portrays your interest in the offer.
Know your value
The negotiation email is an opportunity to show the value you can bring to the employer. Include your years of experience, level of education or any certifications you hold, and specific skills relevant to the role. For example, you may want to emphasise your leadership skills or industry specialisation skills.
Do your research
Check the market in your area for the salary range of similar roles. If your offer is in the market range, it is unlikely that there is much room for negotiation. If you can prove to your prospective employer that you are worth more, it’s worth a try. If the offer is lower than the market, be sure to mention this in your email.
Consider your expenses
Include this as part of your negotiation if the role requires you to relocate or incur other costs to accept the job. The expenses should only ever relate to accepting the job. For example, don’t state you need to meet general living expenses as part of the negotiation.
Consider other forms of compensation
If the base salary isn’t negotiable, consider asking to review the additional benefits included in the package. For example, there may be flexibility in offering more annual leave, a gym membership or including an early performance and salary review. Employers may find it difficult to increase salary but can look at other options as part of the negotiation.
Be firm
Being firm but polite is important when negotiating. Clearly and politely include reasons that justify your request. Remember to draw on your expertise and research.
Initial Offer Negotiation Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. However, after careful consideration, I would like to discuss the initial salary offer you presented to me. I was hoping for a salary in the range of [Salary Range] based on my experience and qualifications. I believe this would be a fair compensation for the value I can bring to the position. Is there any flexibility in the initial offer that we can discuss? Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Salary Counter Offer Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for the offer of [Salary Offer] for the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I appreciate the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. However, after careful consideration, I would like to propose a counteroffer of [Counteroffer Amount]. Based on my experience, qualifications, and market research, I believe this would be a more appropriate salary for the position. I understand that you may need to review and consider my proposal, and I am willing to discuss this further to find a mutually beneficial agreement. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, [Your Name]
Asking for a higher salary due to additional qualifications – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. However, I would like to bring to your attention that since our initial conversation, I have obtained [Additional Qualifications]. I believe this additional qualification will bring additional value to the position and should be reflected in my salary. Based on my research and market data, I propose a salary of [Proposed Salary] which I believe is reasonable for someone with my experience and qualifications. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Asking for a higher salary due to location – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. However, I would like to discuss the initial salary offer you presented to me. Based on my research, the cost of living in [City/State] is higher than [Current City/State], where I currently reside. Considering this, I would like to propose a salary adjustment of [Proposed Salary] to offset the higher cost of living in [City/State]. I believe this adjustment is reasonable and will allow me to maintain my current standard of living. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Asking for a higher salary due to experience – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. However, after careful consideration, I believe that the initial salary offer may not reflect my extensive experience in the field. Based on my experience and qualifications, I propose a salary of [Proposed Salary] which I believe is more in line with industry standards for someone with my experience. I understand that salary negotiations can be complex, and I am willing to work with you to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, [Your Name]
Negotiating for additional benefits in CTC – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. While I appreciate the initial salary offer, I would also like to discuss additional benefits that could make the compensation package more attractive. Specifically, I would like to inquire about [Additional Benefit] and if it's something the company offers. I believe that [Additional Benefit] would be valuable to me and would help me better balance work and personal life. If it's possible, I would like to negotiate a compensation package that includes this benefit. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Explaining why initial offer is not sufficient- Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. However, after reviewing the initial salary offer, I would like to discuss why it may not be sufficient. Based on my experience and qualifications, I believe that a salary of [Proposed Salary] would be more appropriate for the position. I understand that salary negotiations can be complex, and I am willing to work with you to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, [Your Name]
Asking for performance based bonus – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. In addition to the base salary, I would like to propose the inclusion of a performance-based bonus. I believe that a bonus structure based on meeting or exceeding performance goals would incentivize me to excel in my role and would benefit the company in the long run. If this is something the company is open to, I would like to discuss potential performance metrics and bonus structures that would be mutually beneficial. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Asking for Stock Options (ESOP) or Equity – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. In addition to the base salary, I would like to inquire about the possibility of stock options or equity in the company. I believe that owning a stake in the company would align my interests with the company's success and motivate me to work hard to achieve it. If this is something the company is open to, I would like to discuss potential options and the vesting schedule. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Explaining a higher salary expectation – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. After careful consideration, I would like to discuss the salary range that I was expecting. Based on my experience and qualifications, I was expecting a salary range of [Salary Range] which is more in line with industry standards for someone with my background. I understand that this may be higher than the initial offer, but I believe that this is a fair compensation for the value I can bring to the position. If this is something we can discuss further, I would appreciate the opportunity to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement. Thank you [Your Name]
Negotiating for a higher signing bonus – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. While I appreciate the initial salary offer, I would like to inquire about the possibility of a higher signing bonus. I believe that a larger signing bonus would help me better manage my transition to the new role and would demonstrate the company's commitment to my success. If this is something the company is open to, I would like to discuss potential options and the impact on the overall compensation package. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Negotiating for a shorter performance review period – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. In addition to the base salary, I would like to discuss the possibility of a shorter performance review period. I believe that a shorter review period would enable me to demonstrate my value to the company sooner and could lead to an earlier salary increase or promotion. If this is something the company is open to, I would like to discuss potential options and the impact on the overall compensation package. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Negotiating for a flexible working hours – Email Format
Dear [Hiring Manager], Thank you for offering me the position of [Job Title] at [Company Name]. I'm excited about the opportunity to join your team and contribute my skills to the company's success. In addition to the base salary, I would like to inquire about the possibility of a flexible work schedule. I believe that having the option to work from home or adjust my work hours would increase my productivity and work-life balance. If this is something the company is open to, I would like to discuss potential options and the impact on the overall compensation package. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Best regards, [Your Name]
Conclusion
In today’s world, salary negotiation is an essential skill for any job seeker or employee looking to improve their compensation package. It can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and effective communication, it’s possible to negotiate successfully.
In this blog post, we’ve provided you with 13+ email formats to help you negotiate your salary in various scenarios. Whether you’re negotiating for a higher base salary, additional benefits, or a more flexible work schedule, these templates can guide you in crafting your own negotiation email.
Remember, negotiation is a two-way street, and it’s important to approach it with a positive attitude and a willingness to collaborate with your employer. By communicating your needs and demonstrating your value to the company, you can negotiate a compensation package that reflects your skills and contributions.
We hope that these email formats will be a useful resource for you in your future salary negotiations. Don’t be afraid to adapt them to your specific circumstances and always aim for a win-win outcome.
Thank you for reading, and best of luck in your negotiations!
