Accepting and Negotiating Your Offer

When you get a job offer, it’s time to decide how you want to move forward. You may want to accept it, decline it, or take some time to consider it depending on a few factors. This page will take you through these different scenarios and help you figure out the right steps to take.

I want to accept the job offer!

Remember that you don’t have to accept the offer on the spot! Ask the employer for 2 days to a week to evaluate the offer and discuss it with family members and significant others. If you’re waiting for another offer to come through, ask the employer when they need to know your answer and ask for an extension if you need one. Employers know you’re interviewing with other organizations, and they will appreciate you being honest and careful about your decision. Learn more below about how to consider a job offer.

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Negotiating the Offer

Negotiation isn’t just about salary. It can include start dates, amount of leave, and other benefits. Before the date you must get back to them, contact the employer via email or phone to set up a time to discuss.

Benefits of using email = have a written record of the conversation.

Benefits of using phone = a live conversation is easier to convey the tone you intend AND you’ll get answers quicker!

 

What to say:

  • “I’m still very interested in the position, and I believe I can bring _______, _______, and _______ to the organization. I’m wondering, is it possible to enhance the offer in terms of _____ (e.g. salary, vacation, benefits, opportunities for review, etc.)?”
  • Don’t say anything else! Do not fill in the silence! Let them speak first. See what they have to say. (Utilizing this “silence” strategy, oftentimes employers will fill in the silence).

If the employer says “Yes”:

  • If they give you what you want, thank them and tell them you’ll get back to them by the deadline.

If the employer says “Maybe”:

  • If they say they’ll have to get back to you, ask when you should be hearing from them or when you should call them back.
  • If they ask “what did you have in mind?:” Ask “what do you think is possible?”; or give them a range (if salary) of what you are looking for.

If the employer says “No”:

  • If they say no, say: “Okay, thanks, I’ll still get back to you by _____.”

How to Formally Accept

Here are some guidelines we recommend:

  • Follow up the offer with an acceptance email to the employer that expresses your appreciation for the offer and spells out any specifics that were discussed (in the event that a contract is not provided). The specifics could include: starting salary, title, an agreed upon start date, and anything extra that may have been discussed (e.g. in-person/remote schedule, relocation expenses, etc.)
  • If you don’t receive a response, follow up via the phone in a few days with the employer to ensure that the acceptance letter was received and the specifics are agreeable to all parties.
  • Establish a start time with your supervisor and expectations during the first week. Try to gain as much information as possible about what will be expected during the first days on the job.

I'm considering the job offer...

Taking a job is a big decision, and you should take the time to evaluate the job offer from every angle. You want to make sure that the job is the right fit for you, your current needs, and your goals.

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Questions to Ask to Evaluate a Job Offer

You should really begin evaluating organizations and positions before you get an offer. The following questions can help you throughout the entire application process (deciding to apply, preparing a resume and cover letter, preparing for an interview, etc.):

  • Do the daily work activities appeal to you?
  • Are you aware of the organization’s mission and values, and is it in line with what you want?
  • Could you see yourself working there for a minimum of 1-3 years?
  • Will you gain new skills?
  • Do you have all the information you would need to make a decision?
    • Pay
    • Title
    • Start date
    • Health, dental/vision, retirement, etc benefits
    • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
    • How long before you are eligible for insurance and paid leave
    • Type of schedule and format (typical hours, in-person/virtual)

Evaluate the Salary

Prior to going into an interview:

  • Do your research on typical compensation packages paying attention to type of organization (corporate business vs nonprofit organization vs government agency) because size of organization and budget matters.

Remember to consider your level of experience when setting your expectations. If possible, find out what the salary range is for the specific job you’re interviewing for.

Negotiation is a collaborative discussion to find the solution that satisfies both parties. Negotiation must be grounded in data and facts – refer to your research when discussing salary with employers.

Two things need to happen before salary negotiations take place:

  1. You have received a formal offer, preferably in writing
  2. You have evaluated the entire job offer package and researched what the market will pay for your services in this field.

This research will provide you with the evidence you need to determine if the salary offered is reasonable or whether you should make a case for a higher salary.

New college grads don’t always have the experience or expertise to warrant a higher salary. However, there are exceptions. 

  • You have gained relevant work experience through internships or summer jobs which positively impacts your ability to do the job
  • You have a particular skill or technical expertise which is in high demand
  • You have a written offer from another organization for a similar position that states a higher salary

Remember, salary is only one part of a total compensation package. In addition to knowing your market value, you also need to know what you want and where you are willing to compromise.

 

You want to ask for a higher salary, but how much can you ask for?

After you’ve done your research:

  • If the pay is lower than average in that geographic location, set your counter offer at 10-20% higher than what was offered.
  • If the pay is at or above average in that geographic location, set your counter offer at 5-10%.

*Have an offer from a nonprofit? Read this article.

Comprehensive Salary Data Resources

Cost of Living Calculators

Benefits

Benefits include things like paid time off (PTO), health and other insurance, and retirement plans. Learn all about the ins and outs of benefits with our guide below.

Guide to Common Job Benefits

Negotiating the Offer

Negotiation isn’t just about salary. It can include start dates, amount of leave, and other benefits. Before the date you must get back to them, contact the employer via email or phone to set up a time to discuss.

Benefits of using email = have a written record of the conversation.

Benefits of using phone = a live conversation is easier to convey the tone you intend AND you’ll get answers quicker!

 

What to say:

  • “I’m still very interested in the position, and I believe I can bring _______, _______, and _______ to the organization. I’m wondering, is it possible to enhance the offer in terms of _____ (e.g. salary, vacation, benefits, opportunities for review, etc.)?”
  • Don’t say anything else! Do not fill in the silence! Let them speak first. See what they have to say. (Utilizing this “silence” strategy, oftentimes employers will fill in the silence).

If the employer says “Yes”:

  • If they give you what you want, thank them and tell them you’ll get back to them by the deadline.

If the employer says “Maybe”:

  • If they say they’ll have to get back to you, ask when you should be hearing from them or when you should call them back.
  • If they ask “what did you have in mind?:” Ask “what do you think is possible?”; or give them a range (if salary) of what you are looking for.

If the employer says “No”:

  • If they say no, say: “Okay, thanks, I’ll still get back to you by _____.”

I want to decline the job offer.

Whether you have another offer you’d like to accept instead or you just decided that this job isn’t the right fit for you, you’ll want to make sure to professionally decline the offer and communicate your intentions to the employer.

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Turning Down Other Job Offers

If you’ve decided to decline the job offer (or once you’ve accepted another offer), it is appropriate, professional, and ethical to inform all other employers (to which you have applied) of your decision and to withdraw your application from consideration. Your withdrawal letter should express appreciation for the employer’s consideration and courtesy. It may be appropriate to state that your decision to go with another offer was based upon having a better fit with your professional goals at this stage in your career.

  • DO NOT say that you obtained a better job. Professionally state that you took a position that you felt was a better fit for you at this time.
  • DO NOT continue to interview after you have formally accepted an offer. People talk and you don’t want to burn any bridges or waste anyone’s time! When you want to officially turn down an offer, it’s recommended that you put it in writing. Rejecting an employment offer should be done thoughtfully and carefully. This could be a future employer one day. Indicate in the letter that you have carefully considered the offer and have decided not to accept it. Also, be sure to thank the employer for the offer and for consideration of you as a candidate.

Sample Job Offer Rejection Letter

Dear Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your employment offer to be an Assistant Director with XYZ, Inc. Unfortunately, I am writing to inform you that I am unable to accept the offer. After evaluating all opportunities available to me for the best fit at this point in my career, I have decided to accept another position.

I truly enjoyed meeting and speaking with you and other representatives from XYZ, Inc. and learning firsthand about your experiences. Best wishes for the continued success of XYZ, Inc.

Thank you again for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Chris Badger

FAQ

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After accepting a job offer, are there any other ethical obligations?

It is good professional etiquette to only accept a job offer you intend to keep. When you accept a job offer, you should remove yourself from consideration for any other active job offers as soon as possible. To decline a job offer, call the recruiter you’ve been working with and politely inform them of your situation. Thank them for their time, and invite them to think of you again in the future (if you’d like that). Avoid wasting others’ time; you never know when your paths may cross again. 

Avoid reneging on offers at all costs. Backing out of an offer costs a company a lot of time and effort! When you accept a job offer, the employer stops their search. They turn the other candidates down, and begin preparing for your arrival. If you renege later, the employer now needs to start over from the beginning. You can understand why this is likely to make employers frustrated! Backing out of an offer may result in a bad reputation that damages your candidacy for other jobs. 

If reneging on an offer is something you are considering please consult with a specialist

Renege: (ree-negg; verb) to go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. To back out of something

How do I go about delaying a response on a job offer?

Make sure you have a concrete reason for asking for an extension. Are you waiting to hear from another employer about an offer, or are you just hoping to get more interviews? Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for an extension; this looks like you don’t think ahead and may indicate that you might behave the same way on the job. Be tactful and diplomatic in your wording. You may need to explain your reasons to the employer. For example, if you have an upcoming, previously scheduled interview with another employer, you may explain that it is important to you to keep your commitment to the other employer, and that in order to make the best decision; you need to attend the other interview. For the sake of speed, call the employer to discuss the situation. For the record, you should follow up with an email to confirm your request. It’s ok to ask for 2 days to a week to evaluate the offer and discuss it with family members and significant others.

What if they request salary information during the application process?

As a general rule, when salary information is requested in the cover letter and/or application your options are to:

  1. Ignore the request;
  2. Explain you’d be happy to discuss salary once you have a more detailed sense of what the job entails; or
  3. Indicate that your salary requirements are negotiable and flexible (but do this only if you are, indeed, flexible).

**Be aware that there is another school of thought that says ignoring an explicit request for salary information is risky. However, remember the first 2 principles of salary negotiation:

  1. Salary is best discussed only when an employer is ready to make you an offer, and
  2. Salary should be viewed in the context of a host of issues related to employment.

What do I say if asked for my salary requirements in the interview (or before the organization makes a formal offer)?

The rule of thumb is that you want the company to mention a salary amount first. You want to avoid discussing your specific requirements until a formal offer has been made. If you are asked about salary, reply with, “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to set that question aside for now and focus on the content of the work. I’m interested in knowing more about the specific duties and responsibilities of the job.” If the hiring manager insists, you might say something like, “I assume a range has been established for this position and wonder what the organization had in mind?” or, share the range you identified through research you have already done! Just make sure it is reasonable and researched. Keep in mind that your tone of voice and body language can make all the difference in the world. You should be affable, non-threatening, and friendly.

What do I do if all my requests are rejected in the negotiation process?

Your decision to accept or reject the offer must then be based on the original offer.

How committed am I to a job offer I have accepted, if a better offer comes along?

First, if you are unsure about accepting a job offer, it is better to negotiate for more time to make your decision than to accept the offer prematurely and later rescind your acceptance. Second, it is important to honor your commitment once you’ve made it; backing out of the agreement is highly unprofessional and might later reflect negatively on you in your chosen field. Another consideration should be the job offer contract. If you were given a signing bonus, examine the contract for clauses that state you must pay back the full signing bonus if you leave the organization before the stated duration. The signing bonus amount that you receive will be the total amount, minus taxes, but the amount you must repay will be the full amount of the bonus.

How do I request an offer in writing?

If a verbal offer is made, a response could be, “I’m very excited about the opportunity to work for you and this organization. Since this is such a significant decision for both of us, I’d be more comfortable if the offer was formalized in writing and I could look it over.

What if I don’t understand something on the employment offer letter?

Companies are usually happy to clarify or answer any questions about the job offer. Students may also seek legal advice regarding binding job offers or other professional commitments. Career advisors in our office may also be able to help (though they are not legal experts!).