What should you do when your salary offer is too low? (2024)

FAQs

How do you respond if a salary offer is too low? ›

Instead of immediately replying to the job offer, take some time to reflect on your labor market value. Research average salaries, perks at work, and other industry standards, and with this in mind, write a polite response or make a compelling case to renegotiate.

Show your gratitude by saying something positive about the experience, business or role. Explain that you have decided to decline the job offer and share a couple of reasons why. Be honest i.e. if you believe the salary isn't competitive, say so. You could even mention the research you have carried out into salaries.

If taking a pay cut works out from a personal finances perspective, as well as a career development perspective, then you should consider going for it. Just make sure that taking a pay cut for less stress won't accidentally translate into more stress, both in the short term and over the course of a couple years.

What you need to do in these situations is call back or email the hiring manager, explaining that you've lowballed yourself. Since there is a scenario of budget approval for the salary you've asked for, it would be wise to communicate as soon as possible. Transparent communications are always respected.

Can you really lose a job offer by negotiating salary? Well, yes and no. It's actually a rare occurrence because employers expect people to negotiate when receiving a job offer. But it still happens as not all employers are the same.

“Thank you so much for the offer. I'm really excited about the company and the role. I want to be upfront with you that the salary is lower than I was expecting based on my skills and experience.

Don't sound angry, offended, or defensive, as this will only damage your relationship and reputation with the employer. Instead, thank them for the offer, restate your interest and fit for the role, and explain why you think your counteroffer is fair and reasonable.

I am confident my experience will be a great fit for the position because [explain]. I'm hoping we can discuss the base salary further. Unfortunately, the offer seems to be lower than the average salary for this position in [Location].

A lowball job offer is a salary offer at the lowest end of the budget or even outside the range provided in the posting. Although it may affect an employer's branding, the most common reason to start a salary negotiation with a low bid is the belief that this is a smart financial strategy.

How do I push back on my salary offer? ›

Just as experts often advise job candidates to never accept an employer's first offer for a salary, an employer may counter your desired salary with a new number. You can choose to accept the employer's counter offer or negotiate further.

Acknowledge it's a low ball offer

One approach is to simply say that you're willing to negotiate, but that you need to hear a serious starting offer. Another is to counter-offer with a price that's slightly lower than your asking price – even just $1,000 below it.

I understand that the position you're hiring for may be a bit junior for me based on my work history and skill set, but I can assure you that my passion for the company and confidence about how I could make a major impact if given the opportunity cancels out any pre-supposed salary requirements or expectation of a ...

Bring the evidence. Just saying “I feel like I'm underpaid” without being able to back it up won't be enough. If you expect your employer to raise your salary, you need to give them solid evidence that proves your point. Print out / note down your research and make sure you've taken them from reliable sources.

A lowball job offer is a salary offer at the lowest end of the budget or even outside the range provided in the posting. Although it may affect an employer's branding, the most common reason to start a salary negotiation with a low bid is the belief that this is a smart financial strategy.