The good news is that you’ve been offered a great position that you’re eager to accept. The bad news is that your salary negotiations have failed. Although you would have liked a higher salary, you really don’t want to lose this job. If you’re in this position, you may be wondering how to accept a job offer after failed negotiations.
Fortunately, employers rarely retract a job offer because of salary negotiations. To ensure that the good rapport between you and your new potential employer remains intact, you will want to respond in a professional and appropriate fashion after failed salary negotiations. Read on to learn how to accept a job offer after failed negotiations.
What To Keep in Mind When Negotiating
According to a recent Grant Thornton survey, 21% of American workers switched jobs in the last year, of which 40% are already looking for new positions.
Although the percentage of job switchers in the current hot labor market is quite high, most employees are not experienced negotiators. This means that you may not be as skilled at negotiating a higher salary as you think.
Here are a few things to keep in mind next time you’re negotiating with a prospective employer:
Don’t Rely on Public Estimates
While it is helpful to look up estimates for your position on salary websites, you shouldn’t use this as your sole reason for asking for a higher salary from a prospective employer. Various factors determine the proper salary, including your work experience, the size and the location of the company, and other benefits included in the job offer.
Realistically, you also shouldn’t aim for more than a 5% to 10% raise when switching jobs. It’s unlikely that a new employer will agree to a higher raise. However, there are exceptions. For instance, if the new job you’re applying for comes with a lot of added responsibilities, you can ask for a bigger increase in salary.
Do Solid Research
Although you shouldn’t rely solely on public estimates, you do want to do your homework before you start negotiating for a higher salary. Researching the going market rate for your position is a good starting point. As mentioned above, you also need to factor in other considerations, such as your current salary and work experience, though.
The only way to confidently navigate a salary negotiation is to be prepared. Create a written document in which you list the reasons why you’re worth a higher salary, such as relevant skills and experience, and the value you can add to the company.
Remember That You Can Get a “No.”
To ensure that you keep a balanced view of things during negotiations, it’s advisable to remind yourself that a prospective employer may refuse to offer you what you’re asking.
While you don’t want to sell yourself short and should ask for more money if you feel you deserve it, you also don’t want to potentially put an employer off. If you get too cocky or have unreasonable requests, an employer may even decide to retract the job offer.
Fortunately, this doesn’t happen often. Before you start negotiating, decide on an action plan in the event that the employer refuses, and keep an open mind and a positive tone throughout.
How To React When Negotiations Fail
In the event that your negotiations fail, keep your chin up. If you’ve handled the negotiations professionally and haven’t asked for a ridiculous amount of money, the job is very likely still yours for the taking. Here are a few suggestions on how to react in such a situation:
Negotiate Other Benefits
Keep in mind that a salary is not the only benefit worth negotiating. A job offer also includes other benefits, such as health insurance, bonuses, and annual leave.
You could, for instance, ask for more flexible work hours, such as working remotely from home on certain days of the week. Being able to spend more time at home may translate into a more healthy work-life balance.
You could also ask for more vacation time, a longer lunch break, or opportunities for professional development. If the company agrees to additional benefits, your total compensation package increases and the good rapport between you and the employer remains intact.
Read More: How To Ask About Benefits After Job Offer (With Email Sample)
Don’t Take it Personally
It’s important to act professionally at all times, even when negotiations fail. If you react emotionally to a failed salary negotiation, you may very well tarnish your relationship with the prospective employer, and it may even cost you your job.
You should keep in mind that the employer doesn’t know you personally, so their refusal won’t be based on your worth or aptitude. There are other considerations that may influence the employer’s decision, such as budget constraints.
Ask for a Reconsideration in the Future
Just because an employer refuses to increase your salary currently, doesn’t mean that they cannot offer you more money in the future.
In the event that salary negotiations fail, you can ask the employer whether they will be willing to revisit the salary issue in the future, such as in 90 days or six months. Since employers are eager to retain employees and offer incentives for this reason, they will probably say yes.
Don’t Act Impulsively
If the company refuses to offer you a higher salary, don’t act impulsively — whether you feel like accepting or declining the offer. Politely let them know that you need some time to consider the offer and will get back to them in a day or two.
Even if you already know you want the job, you shouldn’t come across as over-eager. Remember, you do still want that salary increase in due course.
Read More: How To Tell A Company You Have Another Offer (With Examples)
How To Respond To a Rejected Salary Negotiation (Email Sample)
If you’ve decided to go for the job despite failed salary negotiations, you may not be sure how to word your acceptance email. To help you along, here’s an example of how to accept a job offer after failed negotiations.
Dear Mr. Jones,
Thank you for offering me a position as Project Manager at ABC Solutions. After careful consideration, I have decided to accept your job offer. I am excited about the prospect of joining the dynamic project team at ABC Solutions.
I have concluded from our last communication that the contents of the original job offer will remain unchanged. Thank you for taking the time to explain ABC Solution’s position to me during our negotiations. I am happy to proceed with the current offer and am also delighted to learn that ABC Solutions is willing to review my compensation in 9 months’ time.
I have only the greatest respect for the standard of service that ABC solutions offer and am sure I will add value to the project team.
Kind regards,
William Smith
Read More:
- How Often Are Job Offers Rescinded? (And How To Respond)
- Get A Job Offer Without Interview – Is It Possible?
- Regret Accepting Job Offer? Here Are Common Reasons And How To Decline Accepted Job Offer
- “I Turned Down A Job Offer And Regret It”: Here’s What You Should Do
- Can You Be Offered A Job After Being Rejected?
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