You have just received a job offer. Well bloody done.
And if you are not there yet, your day will come, and you will be glad you have read this first.
It is a fantastic feeling, especially after endless CV tailoring and being ghosted by recruiters.
Your instinct will scream at you to accept it immediately.
Stop for a minute before you say yes.
Taking a breath now can earn you thousands more in your core salary, bigger pension contributions, and higher bonuses.
Here is exactly what you need to do to negotiate the package you deserve.
1. Wait 24 Hours
Never accept an offer right away.
Thank them for the offer and tell them you are excited, but you want to take some time to review it.
Ask them to email the full details, including pension, benefits, and holidays.
You need to calculate the true value of this offer compared to what you are used to earning.
2. Find Your Leverage
Think back to what you have learnt during the interview process.
Did you discover the role involves managing two departments instead of one?
Take note of these growing responsibilities so you can use them to counteroffer.
3. Choose Your Counteroffer Strategy
Here are three proven ways to ask for more.
The Added Responsibility Approach Politely explain that the role is more complex than originally imagined. Suggest that a higher salary is a fair reflection of this extra work.
The Competitive Edge If you are at the final stage with another competitor, be brave and mention it. Tell them that if they can offer a specific figure, you will withdraw from all other processes.
The Total Package Comparison Perhaps they matched your current salary, but their holiday allowance or pension is lower. Explain that to be comfortable losing your current annual bonus, you need a higher base salary.
4. Aim High to Meet in the Middle
Always go higher towards the top of your scale.
If you have been offered £60,000 and think £70,000 is fair, go in and ask for £75,000.
They might say no, and that is absolutely fine because you have lost nothing.
Most of the time, they will meet you in the middle.
5. Keep It Purely Professional
Never make your counteroffer personal.
Do not mention your longer commute, the rising cost of living, or how my French Bulldog Bowser's treat bill is increasing.
Your personal circumstances are not the company's problem.
Your rationale for asking for more money must be based purely on your experience, skills, and the market.
Congratulations again on earning that offer!
Let me know in the comments if you use these tips to successfully negotiate a better package.
Good luck with your job searches this week, and if you’d like to learn how I can help you further, Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute consultationwith me and tell me your story.
Let’s see if I can help you shift the dial and secure your new career.
