1. Consider the factors up for negotiation
  2. Do your research before the interview
  3. Consider research during the interview process
  4. Understand the correct time to negotiate
  5. Be prepared to negotiate the terms
  6. Additional tips to consider while negotiating an employment offer letter

You have finally received your job offer letter after acing the HR interview round and while going through it find a term or two that does not sit well with you.

So, how do you bring it up with your recruiter and negotiate the terms in your employment offer letter? If you have found yourself facing a similar roadblock, this blog is the one for you!

In this blog, we will take you through the details of negotiating a job offer letter.

Consider the factors up for negotiation

First things first, you must know the factors within the job offer letter that can be up for negotiation.

This information is extremely crucial for a candidate as it not only shows that you are well informed but also knows to what extent the factors in your employment offer letter can be negotiated.

Here’s a list of things that you can bring up with your recruiter to negotiate;

  • Salary
  • Joining date
  • Upskilling cost
  • Remote work options
  • Job designation
  • Number of workdays
  • Relocation cost
  • Work timing

Next, you need to prioritize which of these factors are important and definitely need to be negotiated.

Do your research before the interview

You need to have thorough research about the company when you start applying for jobs or you get an interview call. Not just about the company and its employee reviews, but also the salary they offer to the particular job role, whether or not they help with upskilling, etc.

You can check out such details and understand the salary range better on AmbitionBox. You can reach out to former or current employees to see if they could negotiate or what are the terms that the company is willing to negotiate.

Consider research during the interview process

When in a job interview, ask questions that seemed to have left you confused during your research. You will be spending a great deal of your daytime at work and you would want to ensure that you are 100% onboard.

To be on the safer side you can start by negotiating the salary aspect of the job offer letter. However, do not push too hard and meet the recruiter halfway.

But in case they are not willing to negotiate, then you can attempt to negotiate other terms on the employment offer letter such as availability of work from home options and so on.

Understand the correct time to negotiate

There is a right time to negotiate factors and anything rushed could lead to your elimination as a prospective candidate.

Remember your ultimate motive is to make the cut, so the best time to start negotiating is after you have received your job offer letter.

Your employment offer letter will have a detailed breakdown of the salary and other terms and it will help you to understand the offer letter better.

Once you receive your job offer letter, ask your recruiter how long do you have before you need to respond. Usually, recruiters provide 2-3 days’ time for the candidate to respond, so take the time in your stride and evaluate the terms in your employment offer letter thoroughly before you start negotiating on any aspect.

Once done, ask the recruiter for their time and discuss the concerning factors in your job offer letter.

Be prepared to negotiate the terms

Receiving the job offer letter does seal your place as the desired candidate for a job post, but don’t be full of yourself just yet.

Also, go through your priority list and check for what is absolutely important. Understand you will not be able to have everything as per your terms. The primary rule of negotiation is to be flexible and arrive at a midpoint suited to both parties.

So, if Salary is an absolutely important factor, then try to negotiate it higher than what is mentioned in the job offer letter but lesser than your expectation.

Take for example, if you are expecting an in-hand of INR 50,000, but the employment offer letter shows INR 40,000 try to negotiate and increase the 40,000 to 45/46,000 if possible.

Relevant Read: How to Negotiate Salary in a New Job

However, don’t push it too hard, and based on the terms negotiated you can always contemplate whether or not you want to accept the job offer letter.

Additional tips to consider while negotiating an employment offer letter

Apart from the above mentioned factors, here are a few additional tips to remember while negotiating your job offer letter.

  • Refrain from being demanding, instead frame your requests in the form of questions. This will help you to get through with your requests as well as respect your recruiter’s authority.
  • Ensure that you are negotiating with the right party. Sometimes getting in touch with your future reporting manager and requesting for a change in the terms might help.
  • Decide if you want to continue or decline the job offer letter in case your requests are not met.
  • Be confident, smile and always wait for the other person to finish what they are saying before you revert.
  • Finally, get the negotiated terms in black and white as it can help you to tally with the revised employment offer letter.

To conclude follow these tips when negotiating your job offer letter and keep in mind the golden rules,

  • Make sure you know the terms that can be negotiated in an employment offer letter
  • Be confident while negotiating
  • Get the terms in writing

Hope you find these tips to negotiate a job offer letter helpful. All the Best!

Career Insights