Counteroffer Letter: Sample & Salary Negotiation How-Tos

Writing a counteroffer letter might feel like walking on ice. But there’s a way to do it right! Find our professional tips below (plus a counteroffer letter example).

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If the offer sounds good, but the salary is not to your liking, should you give it up and let it go? Not really! You have to take a shot at negotiating what you desire, but you have to get it right not to lose the offer.

This article will give you:

Insights into what a counteroffer letter is and when you should write it.
Best tips about how to write a counteroffer letter and keep the job offer.
A counteroffer letter template to fill out for best results.
A salary negotiation counteroffer letter sample to help you craft your own letter.

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What Is a Counteroffer Letter?

A counteroffer 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.

Studies say that over 50% of 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 counteroffer 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 Counteroffer Letter?

How do you know the situation calls for a counteroffer 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).

Counteroffer Letter Writing Tips

When you’re preparing your counteroffer 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 counteroffer 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 Counteroffer 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 counteroffer 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 counteroffer.

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

Counteroffer Letter Template

[Your full name]

[Your address]

[Relevant contact details: phone #/email address]

[Date of writing, location]

[Name of hiring manager]

[Their title]

[Company name]

[Company address]

Dear [Name of hiring manager],

[An introduction where you express your appreciation of the offer presented to you.]

[Main body (1–2 paragraphs max), where you say you believe the conditions of the offer should be altered+prove why it’s the case.]

[A conclusion, where you reiterate your interest in the job+provide a call to action.]

Best regards,

[Your name]

Counteroffer Letter Example

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

Jacob Moore

597 Geraldine Lane

Elmsford, NY 10523

646-294-1498

March 15, 2022, Elmsford

Cheryl Houston

Head of Human Resources, Buffridge

364 Station Street

Austin, TX 78701

Dear Ms. Houston,

I was very pleased to receive your job offer, and it was a delight to talk to you the other day.

While I believe my expertise perfectly matches what Buffridge is looking for, I have some reservations about the compensation package, which I’d be ready to negotiate.

Buffridge is currently planning a transition to international markets, and I have the knowledge and experience necessary to facilitate that transition. If done well, this is sure to bring a new revenue stream to the company and further strengthen the brand. However, this role comes with extra responsibilities that stretch beyond those of a Head of Sales domestically. For that reason, I believe it would be appropriate to discuss my pay in more detail.

I am very interested in joining your innovative team, and I am confident that we can set up a mutually beneficial working relationship where I can prove within several quarters the profit potential of branching out globally. Please, let me know if there is any room for negotiation, and if so, let’s schedule a call to discuss.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jacob Moore

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.

Decided to say no? Read our guide: How to Reject a Job Offer

Key Takeaways

Here’s how to write a counteroffer 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 counteroffer 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 counteroffer letter.

Hope you enjoyed our guide and found it helpful. Would you like to see more counteroffer letter tips? Let us know in the comments.

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Counteroffer Letter: Sample & Salary Negotiation How-Tos

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