HTML Preview Job Offer Acceptance Letter After Negotiation page number 1.
JOB OFFERS AND OFFER NEGOTIATIONS
Following one or more interviews, an employer may offer you a job. Often the job offer is made over the phone or in person. Avoid
accepting the position on the spot, unless of course you know all of the details of the offer and do not wish to negotiate anything (very
rare). When an offer is made to you, it is best to ask for some time (a few days to a couple weeks) to consider the offer and discuss it with
the significant others in your life. Once you and the employer have worked out a date by which a decision must be made, it is time to get
down to the business of understanding the offer (e.g. salary, benefits, start date etc.). It is at this point that you may decide to negotiate
the offer. It is important to remember that in most cases you are expected to negotiate so there is no need to feel uncomfortable with the
process. Just be sure you conduct yourself in a professional manner throughout the negotiations.
You should also listen to your instincts when considering an offer. Be sure to consider your fit with the organization and the pros and cons
of accepting or declining the offer before making any decision.
WHEN TO NEGOTIATE
You should never bring up salary or benefits until an actual offer has been made to you. If the employer brings up salary during the
interview process to ask what sort of salary range you are looking for, it is always best to answer with a well researched range. Avoid
instigating any salary or benefit discussions yourself. Only when the formal offer has been made, does it become acceptbale for you to ask
questions regarding salary and benefits. If you have already accepted an offer you cannot go back and attempt to negotiate. This is why it
is so important to always ask for at least a few days to consider any offer.
WHAT TO NEGOTIATE
Salary is always the first thing that pops into peoples’ heads when the term negotiation is mentioned. Although salary is the most
commonly negotiated aspect of any job offer, there are many other elements that can be negotiated. Other negotiable aspects of job offers
include: start date, moving expenses, paid time off, stock options, bonuses, work schedule, flex time, early performance reviews,
geographic location (e.g. Indianapolis office instead of Chicago office), professional development, use of company car, company phone,
futher education assistance.
Retirement plans and health insurance plans are not negotiable. These plans are applied to an entire organization and typically cannot be
altered for individuals.
HOW TO NEGOTIATE
1. RESEARCH
You must do some research before you can negotiate any offer. You need to determine what the cost of living is going to be in your
new location and what the average salaries are for similar positions to the one you are considering. Without this information you will
not be able to craft a well informed counter offer. Use the following resources to help you with your research:
Cost of Living Websites – http://bestplaces.net/ (Sperlings Best Places) and http://www.homefair.com/(Home Fair)
Salary Websites – www.bls.gov/ooh (Occupational Outlook Handbook), www.salary.com, and www.payscale.com
At this point you also want to clarify any questions you have about benefits, vacation time, performance reviews, etc. with the employer.
2. DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT
Once you have completed the necessary research you should be able to determine your market value and set a walk away point for your
negotiations. It is best to set this for yourself before you ever make a counter offer. Be sure to stay realistic when setting this point for
yourself. If you are negotiating salary, ask yourself: what is the realistic amount you would need to make to live comfortably that is in
line with industry averages for your location? If you are planning to negotiate for other things, be sure you have strong justifications for
what you are going to ask for.
3. ASK FOR IT (PROFESSIONALLY)
Formal negotiations are typically conducted in writing, in person, or over the phone. In your counter offer you should do the following:
1. Express your appreciation, excitement, and continued interest in the position….HOWEVER (never say “but”)
2. State the reasons for your counter offer (why you are not able to accept the initial offer)
3. Propose a solution by stating what you would like. Be sure to justify each of your negotiated points (e.g. provide average salary research).
4. Once again express your appreciation.
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*Adapted from Indiana University School of Public Health - Bloomington