Salary negotiation email after an offer
One polite email, before you accept: thanks, the figure you are asking for and why, what else would work, and when you will decide. Write yours below.
Before you write it
1
Know two numbers
The lowest you would accept, and the range the role pays. Decide the first before the call; find the second on the posting and salary sites.
2
Ask once, with reasons
One clear figure and one or two reasons they can check. A second round of asking after they meet you halfway costs goodwill.
3
Get the final in writing
Whatever you agree on a call, ask for the revised offer letter before you resign from your current job.
Write yours
Subject
[Role] offer: [Your name]
Dear Hiring Team, Thank you for the offer for the [Role] role at [Company]. I'm excited about the work and I want to join. Before I accept, I'd like to ask whether the offer of [their offer] can move to [the figure you are asking for]. I'd be glad to talk it through on a call. Regards, [Your name]
7 blanks in [brackets] to fill.
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Samples
The figures belong to the made-up people in them. Use your own.
With a competing offer
Subject: Product Analyst offer: Arjun Mehta
Dear Ms. Rao, Thank you for the offer for the Product Analyst role at Kiranakart. I'm excited about the work and I want to join. Before I accept, I'd like to ask whether the offer of ₹9 LPA fixed can move to ₹10.5 LPA fixed. I'm asking because I have an offer at that level for a similar role and this role also owns the pricing dashboards, which the posting did not mention. If the fixed pay cannot change, a joining bonus of the difference for the first year would also make this work for me. I'd be glad to talk it through on a call. I can confirm my decision by this Friday. Regards, Arjun Mehta
When the offer is below your current pay
Subject: HR Generalist offer: Fatima Shaikh
Dear Hiring Team, Thank you for the offer for the HR Generalist role at Brightpath Staffing. I'm excited about the work and I want to join. Before I accept, I'd like to ask whether the offer of ₹6 LPA can move to ₹6.6 LPA. I'm asking because my current CTC is ₹6.2 LPA, and I can share my payslips. If the fixed pay cannot change, a salary review at six months, written into the offer would also make this work for me. I'd be glad to talk it through on a call. I can confirm my decision by Wednesday. Regards, Fatima Shaikh
When the role is bigger than the posting
Subject: Account Executive offer: Rohan Desai
Dear Mr. Shah, Thank you for the offer for the Account Executive role at Fieldbook. I'm excited about the work and I want to join. Before I accept, I'd like to ask whether the offer of ₹14 LPA with ₹4 LPA variable can move to ₹15.5 LPA with the same variable. I'm asking because the role now includes the Pune territory as well as Mumbai, which doubles the accounts I would manage. If the fixed pay cannot change, covering my relocation to Pune would also make this work for me. I'd be glad to talk it through on a call. Regards, Rohan Desai
Questions people ask
Can a company withdraw an offer because I negotiated?
It is rare when the ask is polite, made once and backed by a reason. It happens more when the ask comes with an ultimatum, or arrives after you have accepted. Ask before you sign.
Should a fresher negotiate a campus offer?
Campus packages are usually fixed for the whole batch, so there is little to negotiate. Off-campus offers have more room, especially with a competing offer. Joining date and location are often easier to change than pay.
Email or phone?
Either. Many recruiters call first. If they do, say the same thing as the email, then send the email afterwards so your ask and their answer are in writing.
What can I ask for besides salary?
A joining bonus, relocation support, a later or earlier joining date, a salary review at six months written into the offer, work from home days, or the variable pay split. When the fixed pay is stuck, these often are not.
How much more should I ask for?
Ask for a figure you can justify with your reasons: a competing offer, your current pay, or a role bigger than the posting described. A number with a reason gets a reply; a number without one gets a “budget is fixed”.
The best argument is a second offer
BananaJobz ranks open roles against your résumé and tailors it to each one, so you can apply to the few that fit, well, at the same time. Start by scoring your résumé free.
The sample people, companies and figures are made up. This page is general guidance.