I can understand your feelings when you gather all that courage inside of you to ask for the salary that you deserve. But instead, if you receive rejection mail as a response to being courageous and demanding your worth, it can be extremely demotivating. I would like to tell you that all is still not lost.
There is a list of reasons how you can convince even if the offer is not on the table. You just need to be tactical and groomed to throw away some genuinely sorted reasons to bring negotiation back to the table. In this write-up, we will discuss how salary negotiations when declined later need to be responded to:
What Do You Say When A Counteroffer Is Rejected?
When the counteroffer that you propose gets rejected, you need to take a step back and take some time to frame your reply, before that you need some prerequisites to continue and stay firm on your demands. Following are the things you need to be ready with to deal with this situation:
- Have a clear idea about the position and what is the average salary that the company within the same industry provides.
- Be good in your research and provide the existing salary data to reaffirm and assert your points.
- Mention instances where you have outdone and rather overachieved your targets. These reasons will work greatly in your favor.
Let us now see some sample conversations that you need to have with your recruiter to discuss counter offer rejection.
Sample Conversations for Rejected Salary Negotiation Email
Sample 1
Recruiter: As of now we cannot offer you a raise. We can discuss it after a year or two. This is being done based on your work profile and current reviews of your performance.
You: Thanks a lot Sir for agreeing to discuss my counteroffer. Sir, I have to say that I did not ask for the counteroffer out of the blue. I have researched the current status of the salaries that exist in my position. And, given my work experience and performance, it would be nice of you to provide me with a raise.
Recruiter: Your numbers look great but you can do better. Let us review your profile for 3 months and then discuss it ahead of the raise.
You: Thanks for considering Sir.
(If the manager/HR/Recruiter provides scope for discussion about low salary later, take that option and do not push ahead. That can come off as pushy and they might find it uncomfortable. Try to make them understand through numbers, your research, your plans, and your ideas of long-term growth you can offer to the company).
Sample 2
Recruiter: We have deliberated on your counteroffer. I hope we could have raised the salary as of now. There are limited funds for salaries at this moment. However, your numbers are good, would you like to claim some extra benefits?
You: Thanks a lot Sir, for hearing my proposition and paying heed to it. I would like for you to reconsider, I have been an employee for such a long time. I think it will be better if you can increase it by some amount halfway if possible.
Recruiter: It feels bad to say no to you, but we are short of funds for salaries. However, you do your job with pure grit and determination. So, I can give you a raise not a lot, but certainly, the amount that you are agreeing to now.
You: Thanks a lot, Very much appreciated.
(Take up the offer, if you even get concessional benefits/additional perks. In case you get any half hike to the hike you are asking for. Without thinking take up the hike amount)
I would recommend clearing all your doubts and also calibrating the expectations as per the status of the response from the recruiter/employer. If it does not pan out the way you want this can make your heart swell with pain. Try to understand if there is a chance of getting a hike or not. After that, make sure to not lose hope until you get the hike.
I Negotiated My Salary and Have Not Heard Back from My Employer/Recruiter, What Can I Do?
In case you asked for a better salary and you did not get a reply for a long time. The first step requires you to get in contact with them. If you are an introvert and cannot talk, you will be required to write an elaborate email. The mail should start with an introductory phrase asking about the present situation of the employer/recruiter. In the middle phrase, you can focus on the issue, and in the end conclusion statement, mention gratitude and thanks:
Email Sample
Dear (Recruiter’s name/Employer’s name),
(position name in case of the recruiter)
(company’s name)
Sir, I was so glad to talk with you last time. I am (your name) and I work as (position name)/applied as (position name in case of a recruiter). Hope you are doing well. It was quite enriching the last time we talked about the work and How we can expand the scale of the company during an interview regarding my salary discussion on (interview date). However, If you remember sir we also discussed my salary increment. I haven’t heard from you since then. I just wanted to know if you are open to talking on that front. We can deliberate on it by having another conversation.
Thanks a lot for your time and patience. Do revert back if possible.
Yours truly,
(Your name)
(Company Position)
In-Person/Phone Interview
You: Sir, thanks for agreeing to talk with me. I hope you are doing well.
Recruiter/Employer: Yeah, I am doing well. What about you?
You: I am doing good Sir. I came to discuss my salary. I hope you remember that we had a discussion a few weeks ago and you agreed to discuss it in the future. But did not get any reverts, So, I wanted to know about the status.
Recruiter/Employer: Oh! I forgot about it so sorry, hopefully now is the right time to talk.
You: Yes Sir.
Recruiter/Employer: See, we will provide you with a raise however we can only do that in some phases after every 2 months. Is it agreeable to you?
You: Yes Sir, thank you so much for being so cooperative with me.
From personal experience, I can tell you, it happens, I have seen it, especially with my colleagues. When I worked as an entertainment reporter with a news portal, I have seen my friends who joined later used to ask for hikes. Managers or HR dept usually forget about the salary proposals that they provide.
Once they meet them personally, draft a letter or get in touch with them, they come to know that the employer did not remember that he had to discuss salary with the employees who were colleagues of mine. So, do meet the employer through your efforts in case you think the manager or HR dept ghosted you while asking for a salary hike and proposing a counteroffer.
Can You Lose a Job Offer by Negotiating Your Salary?
This is highly unlikely. No one will lose their job if they demand a rightful salary based on solid facts. You need to know your reasons why you are demanding more salary. Salary negotiation is a very diplomatic affair. You cannot let yourself overthrow the rational instinct you owe, if you do that it will be detrimental for you on multiple accounts. However, you might land up in the bad books of your current employer for the following reasons:
- Asking for salary hikes after being repeatedly said no by the employer and HR manager.
- Do not back your hike with solid facts to answer ‘why’ the hike is justified.
- Demanding salary hike even after not performing up to the requirements/expectations expected by the employer.
- Showing false data to claim your salary raise is justified.
- Being rude during in-person conversations and negotiations.
These reasons are very important to note down. This will not cost you your job. But this creates a bad impression if these mistakes are done repeatedly thus affecting your work performance. This can lead to termination.
Personally, as a senior editor, I was asked to review some of the intern’s work in the last news portal that I worked in. I did not like How they were demanding a raise just after 1 month of interning experience. That’s a big turnoff. That caught my eye and I sent these reports to HR about these traits in the interns. So, it has an impact.
When Should I Follow-Up After the Salary Negotiation?
In a usual one-to-one conversation, you can ask for salary negotiation after a week or so. Do not ask in 3-4 days. Ask after at least 2 weeks and understand the response. Do you see the Employer getting offended by your bickering? If that’s that then approach them after another week’s break. It’s usually quite common for employers to get back to you after a week or so. In case they don’t you can write an email.
Email Sample
Dear (Employer’s name)
(Company’s name)
Sir, I hope you are doing well. Sir, if you remember, we had a conversation about my salary negotiation, I was asking for a salary increment. Have you decided about it, sir? I would like to discuss the matter. Thanks a lot for taking the time to read my mail. Very much appreciated!
Yours truly
(Your name)
(Company’s position)
You can also make sure to ask in 1 to 1 conversation. It’s better to ask 1 to 1. Here is a sample:
Conversation with Employer
You: Sir thanks a lot again for agreeing to meet me.
Employer: Hey it’s my pleasure so how’s work going?
You: Work’s great I am enjoying it. It’s great. Sir, if you remember I came to you about my salary increment proposal. Do you want to discuss it?
Employer: Oh I forgot that. Yeah, I was checking your performance and it’s been great. But can you wait for 2 months? We have some extra expenses the company has to incur for supplies. But trust me, all these issues will be fixed. I have already finalized the final payment that you will receive 2 months from now.
You: Thanks a lot sir for attending to my request to discuss the negotiation.
Employer: My pleasure.
How Do I Accept An Offer After a Failed Negotiation?
In case, there is an offer that did not go through and you did not want to pursue it, inform the recruiter and tell them you respect your decision. You can do it over the mail or converse with the Recruiter about it. Mention why you wish to accept the offer despite asking for negotiation. Here is a sample mail and sample phone/in-person convo piece.
Email Sample
Dear (Recruiter’s name)
(Position)
(Company’s name)
Sir, I hope you are having a good time. Thanks a lot for considering my salary negotiation request. Sir, through our last discussion I got to know that I have more avenues to attain. I need to work harder and become better and gain expertise in my work. I am very happy with all the positive boost that I have been getting from you. Here in this mail, I accept your job offer on the salary that you proposed.
Yours truly
(Your name)
Conversation Sample
You: Hello sir/madam, I hope all’s well with you. Glad to meet you again.
Recruiter: Yeah that’s nice and quite great, How can I help and assist you?
You: Sir, my name is (your name), I applied for (applied position) and we talked about my salary. I wanted to discuss that.
Recruiter: Oh yes, I remember. So what brings you here?
You: Sir, I got motivated by your words which led me to believe that I still need some time to get the salary I want. I want to learn and become better at my job sir.
Recruiter: That’s fantastic, I will send the offer letter to you now.
You: Yes, sure sir.
Conclusion
When a counteroffer that you propose, if gets rejected, it does cause turmoil. However, in this write-up, I have written on various samples, tricks, and techniques that help you draft the content better and increase substance in your requests for salary negotiation. Have a read and see it for yourself. I am sure it will help you and give you a better idea of the art of framing good and balanced, reasonable answers.
