Expert Tips To Negotiate A New Job Offer

Nitesh Verma
4 min readMar 26, 2022

Landing a new job offer is a cause for celebration. But don’t let the good news go to your head. Now’s the time to be shrewd and deliberate as you negotiate the details of your contract.

Tips to negotiate a job offer

You’ve landed the job offer of your dreams. Congratulations! Now it’s time to negotiate and make sure you get the best possible deal.

“The hiring manager has put a lot of thought into the offer, so you should take the same approach,” advises Lynn Taylor, workplace expert and author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.”

Here are five tips for negotiating your new job offer:

1. Don’t respond immediately.

“The temptation is to reply as soon as possible, but it’s best to take a day or two to review the offer and come back with a counteroffer if needed,” Taylor says. “You don’t want to seem overeager or desperate.”

2. Thank them for their time and express your excitement.

“Thank the hiring manager for the offer and emphasize your excitement in a positive way,” Taylor says. “This will set the tone for further discussion.”

3. Express any reservations you have about the offer.

If you have any reservations about the offer, now’s the time to voice them. “For example, if the salary is lower than what you were hoping for, mention that you’re disappointed but open to negotiations,” Taylor says.

4. Make a list of your priorities and come up with a counteroffer.

Before negotiating, make a list of your priorities — both in terms of what’s important to you and what’s negotiable. “Then, come up with a counteroffer that meets most of your priorities,” she says.

5. Negotiate in good faith.

Remember, you want to come across as someone who is negotiating in good faith. “Be clear about what you want and what you’re willing to give up,” Taylor advises. “And be respectful of the other person’s time.”

Common Mistakes Candidates Make When Negotiating A New Job Offer

Many candidates are so excited to have received a job offer that they automatically accept the first salary number that is thrown at them. However, it’s important to remember that you do have some leverage when negotiating a job offer. Here are some common mistakes that candidates make when negotiating a new job offer:

1. Not knowing your worth

It’s important to research what other companies are paying for similar positions in order to have a realistic idea of what you should be asking for.

2. Not being prepared

If you go into negotiations without any specific numbers or requests, you’re much more likely to get taken advantage of. Come to the table with a list of what you’re looking for, as well as what your bottom line is.

3. Accepting the first offer

It’s always important to negotiate, even if the offer is more than you expected. You may be able to get a better salary, additional vacation days, or other benefits by pushing for them.

4. Focusing only on money

While salary is important, don’t forget to negotiate other benefits such as vacation days, flexible work hours, or a gym membership.

When Do You Know It Is Time To Start Looking For A New Job

It can be difficult to know when the time is right to start looking for a new job.

There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on a variety of factors personal to you. However, here are some general guidelines to help you decide when the time is right to start looking for a new job:

If you are feeling unhappy or dissatisfied with your current job, then it might be time to start thinking about other options.

If you feel like you have outgrown your current position or that you are no longer learning and developing new skills, then it might be time to start exploring other jobs.

If you are struggling to see a future at your current company, or if there have been layoffs or changes in management that make you concerned for your job security, then it might be time to start putting out feelers for other positions.

Here is the link to an insightful post on Business Management Blog about “when is the right time to start looking for a new job”.

Soon, I’ll also be sharing some of my favourite resources for finding job openings. Thanks for reading!

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Nitesh Verma

Business Analyst, Blogger and Coach. I write about strategy, problem solving and people management.