Receiving a job offer is an exciting event, especially if it’s a job you really want. But, if the salary you are offered as part of the job proposal is less than what you anticipated, you may want to negotiate to ensure you’re compensated in a way that best meets your needs and skill set. If you received the job offer via email, you should also be able to negotiate your salary through this medium. Here we explore what a salary negotiation email is, what to include in an email regarding salary negotiations, tips to keep in mind when writing the email, and examples to guide you when composing your own.
What is a salary negotiation email?
A salary negotiation email is an email sent to a potential employer or hiring manager in an effort to discuss and come to a compromise regarding the initial salary offered for a work position. An employee can send an email to negotiate their salary after an initial offer is made or while they are currently working for a company. For example, if you've been with a company for a year, you may want to negotiate your salary to get a raise based on your success and progress in your current position.
What to include when writing salary negotiation emails
The following are important components of an email to a manager or employer in regard to salary negotiations:
- The full name of the recipient, usually the hiring manager or interviewer
- A subject line that clearly states what the email is about
- An appropriate greeting, such as Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. First Name Last Name
- An opening paragraph that includes an appreciation for the job offer and for the hiring manager's time throughout the job-hiring process
- A second paragraph that includes the new proposal for salary as well as why you feel the new salary number is appropriate, a reiteration of your qualifications for the job, and whether you're willing to accept other forms of compensation, such as more paid-time-off, in lieu of a higher salary
- A closing paragraph that states your interest in the position and a thank-you to the employer once more for their time and consideration
- A signature that includes your first name and last name
Tips to consider when composing salary negotiation emails
Here are a few important tips to keep in mind when composing an email to negotiate salary:
- Know your value. It's important to show the employer your value when negotiating salary. To do this, factor in how many years of industry experience you have, your level of education, your current career level, any certifications or licenses you hold, and any leadership experience you possess. Include this information in your salary negotiation email when necessary.
- Do some market research. Another component of a person's salary is where they live and how much others in a similar position make in the same geographic location. Look at the market average for the position you've been offered or are currently in as well as the averages in your location and in nearby cities. If the salary you've been offered is lower than this average, mention this in your email.
- Request a higher salary than what you require. A good rule of thumb is to provide the employer with a higher salary number than what your actual goal is. For example, if you'd like to make $50,000 per year, ask for $53,000. This way, if the employer negotiates down, you'll still get the salary offer you feel you need and deserve.
- Consider your expenses. If you'll have to relocate to the take position or incur any other expenses in order to accept the job, be sure to mention this as part of your salary negotiations.
- Consider other forms of compensation. There are many ways in which you can be compensated for a job. For example, additional vacation days or completely covered health insurance are valuable forms of compensation that can ultimately affect how much money you take home each year and your overall job satisfaction. If you're willing to accept another form of compensation than a salary increase, don't be afraid to mention this in your email.
Learn more: 9 Things to Never Say in a Salary Negotiation
Example of email about salary negotiation
The following is an example salary negotiation email you can use as a reference when formulating your own:
Subject line: Salary question
Dear Mr. Ellis,
Thank you so much for offering me the position as the P.R. and Marketing Director at United Dogs. I truly believe I will be a strong asset to your team, and my 10 years of experience in this industry has equipped me with the skills and knowledge needed to help your company advance to the next level in marketing and public relations.
Before I can accept this offer, I wanted to discuss the proposed salary listed in the job offer details you sent over this morning. As I mentioned in the interviews, I have spent more than five years in a leadership role within the public relations and marketing department of my last company. In my previous role, I increased our marketing leads by more than 35% over the course of a year and helped bring in an additional 20% revenue overall for the organization. With my expertise and proven skill set, I feel that a salary between $100,000 and $105,000 is appropriate, which is slightly more than the $90,000 you offered.
I am confident that my work ethic and expertise will contribute to the increased success of your organization, and I am excited about the possibility of being part of United Dogs. Please let me know when we can further discuss the salary for this position.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Kay Smart