How to Negotiate a Job Offer: 6 Tips for Accepting a New Job

You have three options when you receive a job offer: You can accept it, walk away from it, or try to negotiate. In many cases, it’s wise to negotiate. While you’ll want to conduct yourself in a professional manner throughout the negotiation process, you shouldn’t be afraid to make a counteroffer for what you believe is your true market value.

Asking for a higher salary at your first job can have an enormous impact over the span of your career. Recruiters and hiring managers will typically ask you about your salary history, and that figure sets a precedent for where they place you on their company’s pay scale. Negotiating a higher salary at your current job will have a domino effect on your earning potential in the future.

Employers meet with many job candidates throughout the interview process and thus tend to have considerable negotiation experience. There are a number of negotiating tips worth remembering to help you hold your own:

1. 1. Research and prepare. Do your homework so you know the salary range for your job title and experience level. This allows you to make your best pitch as to why you should receive the higher end of that range.
2. 2. Wait for the employer to make the first offer. You’ll be in a much better negotiating position if the employer makes the first salary offer. If you’re asked how much you believe you should be paid, politely deflect by saying something like, “I’d be willing to consider any offer that is reasonable for someone of my experience level.”
3. 3. Emphasize how you’d be valuable to the company. Employers will be more likely to offer you a higher salary when you focus on the value you add to the company. Instead of talking about your own career goals, make sure to talk about how you can help the company meet its goals.
4. 4. Consider company culture and the benefits package. An employer who offers a flexible work schedule, opportunities for growth, a good healthcare plan, a generous number of vacation days, and the ability to work from home could provide you with more satisfaction than another company that’s only offering you a marginally higher salary.
5. 5. Be polite. There’s no need to play hardball throughout the salary negotiation process. Getting too aggressive with your potential employer can make them second guess their decision to work with you. If you stay positive and enthusiastic, you create a better impression.

You found a great job opportunity, received an official offer, and successfully negotiated an amazing salary offer and compensation package. Good work! Next, consider these steps for completing the hiring process in a way that sets you up for success:

1. 1. Express gratitude. Whether you’re speaking via phone call, email, or in person, don’t forget to thank your prospective employer for negotiating with you. Express how excited you are to work for the company.
2. 2. Reiterate the details. It’s important to restate the negotiated terms to avoid any miscommunication. For example, you could say something like, “So it’s my understanding I’ll be receiving a signing bonus worth X dollars, a base salary of Y dollars, Z amount of healthcare costs covered by the company, a profit-sharing 401K retirement plan with additional stock options available, and two weeks paid vacation time each year.”
3. 3. Get the final offer in writing. Request an official written offer letter so that you can be absolutely certain of what you’re accepting. Having the offer in writing ensures your employer can’t later claim that something you both verbally agreed to was never said. In addition to confirming your previously discussed salary, benefits, and perks, the offer letter should also include your job title and starting date.
4. 4. Request a response deadline. You don’t have to decide to take the job right away. One to two days is a normal timeframe for responding, but make sure to confirm the deadline.
5. 5. Send an acceptance letter if the situation warrants it. You may want to accept a formal job offer with a written acceptance letter. Even if you initially accept in person or over the phone, writing a letter allows you to confirm the terms and display professionalism.
6. 6. Ask about the next steps. To show your motivation and to make sure you’re prepared for the first day at your new job, ask for additional information about tasks you need to complete before your start date. For example, you may need to perform a background check, attend an orientation, fill out start paperwork, and set up a direct deposit.

Get the MasterClass Annual Membership for exclusive access to video lessons taught by business luminaries, including Chris Voss, Sara Blakely, Bob Iger, Howard Schultz, Anna Wintour, and more.