Job Search Tips & Guide
Job Offer Too Low? Part III Use These Key Salary Negotiation Techniques to Write a Counter Proposal Letter
Post on
02-Mar-10
Job Offer Too Low? Part III
Use These Key Salary Negotiation Techniques to Write a Counter Proposal Letter |
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by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. |
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Writing the Counter Proposal Letter
While there is not a specific formula to writing a successful counter proposal letter, there is a basic structure you can follow for maximum likelihood of success.
| First Paragraph: Statement of Interest and Enthusiasm for Job/Company; Key Selling Factors |
| This paragraph is critical in setting up the tone and direction of the negotiations. Be direct and sincere in expressing your interest for the company, thanking the employer for the job offer. Be sure to follow-up with your key selling points -- how you will make a direct and immediate (or longer-term) impact on the organisation. |
| Second Paragraph: Negotiating Item #1 -- Offer and Counter Proposal |
| Restate the particular point from the original offer that you wish to negotiate, followed by your counter proposal -- ideally supported through research, a desire to be fairly compensated, or reinforced by the value you will bring to the company. |
| Third Paragraph: Negotiating Item #2 -- Offer and Counter Proposal |
| Restate the particular point from the original offer that you wish to negotiate, followed by your counter proposal -- ideally supported through research, a desire to be fairly compensated, or reinforced by the value you will bring to the company. |
| Fourth Paragraph: Negotiating Item #3 -- Offer and Counter Proposal |
| Restate the particular point from the original offer that you wish to negotiate, followed by your counter proposal -- ideally supported through research, a desire to be fairly compensated, or reinforced by the value you will bring to the company. |
| Fifth Paragraph: Negotiating Item #4 -- Offer and Counter Proposal |
| Restate the particular point from the original offer that you wish to negotiate, followed by your counter proposal -- ideally supported through research, a desire to be fairly compensated, or reinforced by the value you will bring to the company. |
| Concluding Paragraph: Conciliatory Comments with Strong Moving-Forward Statement |
| Stress that your requests are modest and that your potential impact is great -- and that you look forward to accepting the job offer and getting a jump-start on the position as soon as possible. |
You can also include paragraphs for items of the original proposal that you completely agree on -- doing so makes the letter seem more balanced and that you are not picking apart the entire offer.
You can also include paragraphs for any items in the offer that you need clarification- - or where you are seeking more information, typically for complex issues such as confidentiality and non-compete agreements, bonus plans.
Sample Job Offer Counter Proposal Letter
What does a salary negotiation counter proposal look like? See our sample counter proposal letter. |
About the Author
Dr. Randall Hansen is currently Webmaster of Quintessential Careers, as well as publisher of its electronic newsletter, QuintZine. He writes a biweekly career advice column under the name, The Career Doctor. He is also a tenured, associate professor of marketing in the School of Business Administration at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. He is a published career expert -- and has been for the last ten years. He is co-author, with Katharine Hansen, of Dynamic Cover Letters. And he has been an employer and consultant dealing with hiring and firing decisions for the past fifteen years. He can be reached at randall@quintcareers.com. |
Keywords:
jobsdb, job offer, salary negotiation, counter proposal letter