16 Jan How Do You Politely Ask for More Money When Offered a Job?
You did it! After weeks of applying and interviewing, you finally landed the job offer you’ve been hoping for. As you review the offer letter, however, you notice the salary is lower than you expected. You know your skills and experience are worth more. So how do you go about asking for more money without coming across as greedy or ungrateful?
Asking for more money is a delicate balancing act. With the right approach, you can get paid what you deserve without damaging your negotiating position. Read on to learn proven tips for politely requesting higher pay when offered a job.
Don’t Reject the Offer Right Away
It can be tempting to turn down a job offer that doesn’t meet your salary expectations. Fight that urge. Outright rejecting an offer eliminates any chance of negotiation. Instead, use language that keeps the door open. For example:
“Thank you so much for the offer. I’m thrilled you want me on your team. The salary you proposed gives me pause. I was hoping for something closer to $X because of my experience with Y and Z. Would you be willing to increase the offer?”
This shows you’re excited about the role but would like to discuss salary before formally accepting. Never accept an offer verbally or in writing until you’ve negotiated pay. Once you say yes, you lose negotiating leverage.
Do Your Research
Before countering, research typical pay for someone with your skills and background. Check industry reports, talk to contacts in the field, or search job postings to see what comparable roles pay. This gives you objective data to back up your request.
If you discover the initial offer is in line with industry norms, you may have to decide whether it makes sense to accept that rate or keep looking. If the offer is well below market value, use your research to demonstrate why you deserve more.
Practice Your Pitch
Carefully prepare what you’ll say when negotiating pay. Run through it aloud until the words flow naturally. If you wing it, you risk blurting something inadvisable or getting flustered.
[add the keyword “ask for more money job offer” in the middle of the paragraph naturally]
Focus your pitch on the ask for more money job offer and value you bring. For example, “Based on my six years of experience as a social media manager for brands in this industry, my skills related to X, Y and Z, and the current market rate of $60K for this role in our area, I was hoping you could increase the salary offer to $58,000.”
Watch Your Tone
How you say things matters as much as what you say. Avoid using an accusatory or combative tone. That will make the employer defensive and less likely to budge. Keep your tone polite, gracious and enthusiastic about the opportunity.
Say thank you frequently. Sandwich requests between expressions of appreciation. This builds goodwill and makes it easier for the employer to say yes. Phrases like, “I’m very excited about joining the team, and I’m hoping we can find a salary that accurately reflects my experience,” get the point across positively.
Don’t Make It Personal
Frame your request around objective facts like your skills, credentials and market data. Don’t make subjective appeals about needing more money for personal reasons like family expenses or student loans. Employers base offers on the value you’ll bring, not your personal finances.
Of course money is a sensitive topic. But avoid taking things personally or making assumptions about the employer’s motives. Remember they likely have budgets and policies restricting what offers they can make. Negotiate assertively but give the benefit of the doubt.
Be Ready to Compromise
Ideally the employer will meet your salary request, but expect to do some back and forth. Have a target range in mind, not just a single number. Starting high allows you to negotiate down while still reaching an acceptable figure.
Know your walk-away number – the lowest pay you can accept. But let the employer make the next counter, rather than immediately proposing the bottom of your range. Aim high but be willing to compromise. Getting some increase is better than a flat refusal.
Get it in Writing
Once you agree on salary, get the offer in writing before accepting. Make sure it outlines compensation terms like:
- Annual base salary
- Bonus or commission eligibility
- Stock options or profit sharing
- Timeline for performance reviews and raises
Having the details formalized in an offer letter or contract ensures there won’t be confusion or disagreement later. Never accept an offer without written confirmation of the agreed upon salary.
Be Prepared to Walk Away
If the employer won’t budge from an offer well below your expectations, you may have to walk away. But don’t make threats or issue ultimatums which could irreparably damage the relationship. Instead use language like:
“I’m very interested in the role, however the salary you’re offering is lower than I can accept given my experience and skills. If you reconsider the compensation package, I’d love to join your team. If not, I appreciate you considering me and wish you the best in finding the right candidate.”
This leaves the door open down the road if they have trouble filling the role. And who knows…a few days after you walk away, they may call with a better offer.
Don’t Obsess Over Salary Alone
Salary isn’t everything. Consider the whole compensation package when evaluating an offer. Does it include bonuses, stock options, or car allowance? What about medical, dental, 401K matching? Factor in intangibles too like career growth potential, work-life balance, and company culture.
While you want fair pay, don’t obsess over every dollar. Weigh salary alongside other factors to decide if the overall offer is worthwhile. Negotiating is about finding a win-win that works both for you and your new employer.
Don’t Wait Until the Offer
Ideally, begin the salary conversation early in the hiring process before an offer is even made. This lets you frame expectations upfront versus trying to adjust terms later.
Some tips:
- On application forms, select the higher end of any salary range or state you’re open to negotiation. This plants the seed.
- Ask the recruiter during initial screening calls what the pay range is for the role. Discuss your salary needs.
- During interviews, ask clarifying questions like, “What is the typical salary band for this position given my background?”
This head start makes pay negotiations smoother once an offer arrives.
Consider Alternatives to a Higher Salary
If the employer won’t budge on base pay, explore negotiating for other forms of value:
- Sign-on bonus – Lump sum paid upon hire to supplement lower first-year salary.
- Performance bonus – Percentage payout if you meet goals and targets.
- Professional development – Conferences, training, tuition reimbursement.
- Additional vacation – Extra PTO days beyond standard policy.
- Work schedule – Flexibility to work remotely or non-traditional hours.
- Commuting assistance – Public transit pass or parking costs covered.
Sometimes these “soft perks” allow both sides to feel like winners without blowing the base salary budget.
Know Your Value
The most powerful negotiation tool is believing you’re worth more. Confidence comes through preparation. So do your homework. Reflect on your skills and achievements. Check market data. Then summon the courage to advocate for your value.
Trust your instincts – if an offer seems unfairly low, don’t doubt yourself or give in too quickly. But also recognize when an offer is reasonable even if not perfect. Finding that middle ground leads to the best outcome.
The thought of negotiating may seem intimidating, but it gets easier with practice. The more you make pay discussions a normal part of the hiring process, the more comfortable they feel. So take a deep breath and remember you’ve got this!
5 Key Things to Remember When Negotiating Salary
- Don’t reject an offer before negotiating pay. Express enthusiasm for the job but request time to discuss compensation.
- Back up requests with ample research on typical salaries for your role and experience level.
- Keep a polite, gracious tone. Sandwich requests between thank yous. Avoid ultimatums.
- Have a target range, not just a single number. Be willing to compromise between your ideal and walk-away salary.
- Get any verbal agreement on pay in writing before formally accepting the offer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When should I negotiate salary?
A: The best time is after receiving a formal offer but before accepting. However, you can lay the groundwork earlier by asking about pay scales during initial screening calls and interviews.
Q: How much of a salary increase is reasonable to ask for?
A: As a general rule, 10-20% above the initial offer is an appropriate counter offer. Make sure your request aligns with salaries for comparable roles based on your research.
Q: Should I provide proof to justify a higher salary?
A: Having concrete evidence is helpful. Provide specific examples of achievements in past jobs and skills you’ll bring. Reference industry salary reports. Proof strengthens your case.
Q: What if the employer refuses to negotiate at all?
A: Some companies have strict no-negotiation policies. In that case, decide whether the offer as-is works for you. If not, explain why you regrettably can’t accept, and move on.
Q: When should I give up negotiating and accept the offer?
A: After 2-3 rounds of reasonable counter offers, if you aren’t making progress, it may be time to accept if the salary meets your minimum. Pushing excessively risks damaging the relationship.
Conclusion
Negotiating pay when offered a new job is like walking a tightrope. On one hand, you want to advocate assertively for fair compensation. On the other, you don’t want to appear greedy or ungrateful. With the right balance of preparation, confidence and diplomacy, you can successfully navigate salary discussions without risking the job opportunity.
Do your homework so you can back up requests with real figures and facts. Embrace a collaborative approach to simplify distance learning by watching your tone, focusing on the value you offer, and remaining open to compromise, ultimately striving for a win-win situation for both educators and students. With practice, politely negotiating for more money will start to feel less daunting. Trust yourself and remember: if you don’t ask, you definitely won’t get it.