How to Write a Counter Offer Letter

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What Is a Counter-Offer Letter?

A counter offer letter is a formal letter or an email expressing a job applicant’s desire to modify the initial offer from the potential employer. The candidate usually expresses their willingness to join the company but wants to negotiate the terms and conditions of the offer.

Many job searchers do not actually state their salary expectations clearly, because they think the salary’s fixed. However, over 60% of hiring managers actually leave some wiggle room, so trying to negotiate better conditions is a sound idea. 

But a counter offer letter is not necessarily just a salary negotiation where a candidate is asking for higher compensation. It can also indicate your willingness to:

• Revise the original offer during a call/meeting.
• Discuss the additional benefits you’d like to have (like days off, travel reimbursements, etc.) 

When to Send a Counter Offer Letter?

How do you know the situation calls for a counter offer letter? Here are some typical examples:

• The salary offered is lower than that in your previous position (and you’re not switching careers).
• The conditions don’t match the expenses and cost of living in the area.
• The position requires relocation, which presupposes extra expenditures.
• You’re convinced your expertise and job title call for higher pay. You have multiple job offers, and you wish to negotiate the best conditions for yourself.

The ultimate goal is to formulate a concise, reasonable, evidence-backed letter justifying your 

request—which would result in the employer meeting your expectations (and the offer staying on the table, naturally).

Counter-Offer Letter Writing Tips

When you’re preparing your counter offer letter, you need to make sure you maintain a good relationship with the recruiter, retain the job opportunity, and get what you want. There are multiple ways to achieve that. 

First and foremost, you need to find and collect the data to back you up:

• Research Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and similar job sites to find typical salary ranges for your position.
• Assemble an inventory of your top skills, certifications/licenses, and training that is sure to showcase your value to the potential employer.
• Justify your market value by presenting your outstanding results from previous jobs (backed with numbers).
• Mention any experience that involved responsibilities of a higher level of seniority—managing a team, onboarding new employees, designing a training program, etc.

Then, think of things you could ask for beyond the salary:

• Paid time off
• Sick days
• Other benefits (health insurance, language classes, sports cards, etc.)
• Higher commissions
• Reimbursements (internet and equipment costs if you work from home or travel expenses)
• Relocation coverage

And lastly, make sure you convey the right tone:

• Be confident but respectful—make requests, not demands.
• Get right to the point, be precise, and present your reasoning clearly.
• Show flexibility and willingness to negotiate.

All that’s left is to compose your counter-offer letter and wait for a response. Having the exchange documented in writing will ensure that the details are preserved and can be accessed at any time, if necessary. 

How to Write a Counter Offer Letter + Template

According to data from Glassdoor, an average employee could be making up to 13% more if they negotiated their salary. Use their advice and write a good salary negotiation counter offer letter by following these steps:

• Thank the recruiter for their initial offer.
• State your concerns and express a desire to discuss matters further.
• Back up your concerns and present potential negotiation areas.
• Add a call to action, i.e., the preferred next step: a call, in-person meeting, or response containing a counter offer.

Here’s a template you can use as a guide to make sure you add all the right information:

Counter Offer Letter Template 

Counter Offer Letter Example

Here’s a sample counter offer letter you can tailor to your particular situation or just use as a reference:

Once you’ve sent the letter, prepare for any potential outcomes. Map out your expectations and main negotiation points, and decide what the minimum is you won’t go below. This way, you’ll be ready for the conversation and will be able to make the best decision for your future career.

Key Takeaways

Here’s how to write a counter offer letter:

• Do your research and find out about the usual pay/benefits that come with similar positions.
• Look back at your major accomplishments and expertise to find points to justify better compensation. 
• Write a polite counter offer letter showing your interest in the position and your openness to negotiations. 
• Include a call to action that will only reinforce that openness.
• Proofread!
• Be prepared for accepting, rejecting, or countering your counter offer letter.