Have you ever encountered a situation where while in a job interview, you are bombarded with a lower-than-expected salary offer? If you have then please know it’s perfectly fine to be taken aback. You have to understand that the salary funds that any company uses are very limited. Hence, it is assumed that you might be willing to work for lower pay.
Any question that specifically targets your salary needs to be handled with caution. Gauge and analyze your answer beforehand and see if this can lead you to lose the prospect of getting the job. If that’s the case, then you need to reframe your answer. However, in this write-up, I will suggest ways in which you can reply to the ‘salary’ question in an intelligent manner where you sound affirmative on you deserving a modest salary and also do not come off as rude. Let us see how you can tackle salary-related questions by providing better answers.
Table of Contents
How to Politely Say The Salary is Too Low?
Behavior is what defines a person. Your behavior will take you to places. When questions or disagreements occur when you go for a job interview, try to always take a step back and reevaluate your demands. Is the salary that they are providing you the current salary for a person of your caliber justified? In case, there is a slump in demand, have the market forces forced the salaries to go down then frame your answer. If either of the situations is there then be cautious about your proposition of asking for an increment in your joining salary. Some great examples of politely refusing the salary are as follows:
Example 1
Thanks a lot for the offer, it is highly appreciated. I have been working in this industry for quite some time and have gained a lot of experience honing my work. I would say my quality in regards to the output won’t fall down or deteriorate. I would simply state that the pay that you are giving is lower than what I am paid or for that matter what the industry pays. I won’t compromise on work quality, but I cannot work for such a low salary.
Example 2
I am humbled by the offer sir. But the salary that you are providing is a tad bit lower than what the industry provides to a person like me with the kind of background I have. I know that companies want to test their new workers by paying a little less until they show their true potential. I can guarantee you my background, work experience and achievements won’t disappoint you.
How to Respond to a Disappointing Job Offer?
There are potentially a lot of disappointing job offers that float around our working space. Companies giving less salaries and pay can add to your woes. As the work vigorously intensifies itself with time because of the rising competition. Employers churn the best out of employees by trying to extract maximum qualitative output from them at minimal costs. Due to an increase in people wanting to enter the workforce, abysmal salary offers usually float around. If someone is providing a very disappointing number as your pay, you have to respectfully disagree and state in direct terms why you cannot work. Be polite while doing it but make sure to hold your ground while stating your point of view.
Example 1
I am very sorry sir, but the salary that you are providing is pretty low compared to what I have been getting from the previous company. I am humbled that I was invited here for a job interview. As I have told you my salary requirement, in case you ever consider increasing the salary of my position, please do contact me.
Example 2
Sir with deep respect and gratitude for you I am sorry but I cannot accept the offer. Though the offer might be right for a person who had worked a few years in a similar position. But I am a senior in the work that I do. I respectfully cannot accept the offer in the current terms and pay. Hope you won’t mind.
You should not hesitate in asking for more money, in case you believe rightly that the experience and your quality of work deserve more money than what’s being provided. If in case your peers are getting more than what you are being provided then you should ask for more. However, the trick is that you need to know ‘How to ask for better pay in a respectful manner?’ Here are some examples that can help you in negotiating for more pay.
Example 1
Respected Sir, I am so glad that you have offered me a generous salary. But Sir, I have been in this industry for many years. I have tons of experience working in my field. I would rather request you on the pretext of my previous performance please increase my salary offer.
Example 2
Sir, with my respectful request can you please reconsider the amount that you are willing to provide as salary? The industry as of now is booming and people are doing extremely well. Especially ones that have joined in my position. I would like you to increase a fair share of my pay as I have worked a lot and proved that I can do my work diligently and in a far better manner.
How to Bargain For Time to Think About the Proposed Salary Offer?
See, even if the salary is low, in case there is a recession in the economy, especially in times of recession, you should not decide anything on the spot. You need to ask for some time from them and tell them you will get back to them once you have thought about the salary. In the meantime, if they provide an extension, you need to look at your industry. Is it doing well fairly? Are there job cuts happening, questions are quite similar in this line? needs to be researched before saying no and yes to the existing offer.
Example 1
Thanks a lot for the offer, but I have a request. Can you please provide me with some extra time to think about the offer? It will be very kind of you to do so.
Example 2
The job market in regard to my position is very volatile. I would need some more time to think about the offer. Can you provide me with some extra time to think about the offer? It will be kind of you to do so.
How to Respectfully Decline a Low Salaried Job?
There can be a situation where you can be at loggerheads with the aspect of the salary with the panel. Do not push too hard on the panel. Rather maintain a calming demeanor and humility. Be affirmative and focus more on the reasons why you respectfully decline. Don’t get intertwined and search for reasons to feel bad. Networking is also important. Relationships within the job market have to remain fluid. You have to understand that certain steps or rather indecisive impulsive moments can hinder a broader network that you might enjoy later. So, here are the two major examples that you need to do in case you want to decline the offer.
Example 1
Thanks a lot for the offer and the kind opportunity. Hope you can understand sir, I have been part of a company and have served there in quite important roles. Today, what I am is all because of the kind of work I have put into myself and the kind of work that I do. The current salary which you are proposing to offer is quite less and for that reason, I would like to decline the opportunity. I know where you are coming from and your reasons for being hesitant to provide me with my normative salary. I am glad that I had this wonderful opportunity to do the interview.
Example 2
Sir, I am glad that I was honored with this position. But my bad, that I cannot accept the position at least not at the promised salary. I have decades of work experience and I have served a lot of influential people on the job. Reverting to a previous salary might influence my future prospects of getting good jobs if I accept your position today. Please, do not take this in any other way. In case there is a position for me in the future with higher pay, please give me a call so that I can join you after that.
Dos and Don’ts to Remember While Talking About Low Salary in The Job Interview
Do Not Appear Condescending At All
A person can get pretty upset when they are not offered a salary offer in a job of their liking. Sometimes this can feed into your insecurities and that can really do a number on you. I don’t like situations like these and there are substantial reasons for it.
From my personal experience, I have done it. Sometimes the emotions get the best of you. I had an interview once at a company. The person interviewing me was questioning the kind of written work I did. We had disagreements on writing formats. Then I started mentioning my educational background to pull out some weight on me. It did not go well, rather the person tried sabotaging my career instead. Due to this I also had to remain unemployed for a while. Know where you can call your shots and where you can’t.
Be Humble
People often see humility as a weakness but trust me humility is a Godly characteristic. You do not need to tell others who you are and what kind of qualities you owe. For that matter, the pay that you deserve. Your qualities will be self-explanatory in nature, just be humble about the opportunity. People may cross paths anytime for the rest of the time you have. You never know who will show up the other day, for that reason, it’s important to keep all your options open.
Be Patient With The Panel
Another aspect it’s important to remember at all costs is the requirement of patience. Many times, interviewers have some preconceived notions about you because of being skeptical about your performance. The industry is getting ultra-competitive and demands as of today a very niche professionalism. One has to prove themselves time and again for what they are worth. Try to come halfway with them. Maintain your integrity and tell them patiently why you should be provided more. As you persuade them slowly and also maintain your dignity it’s always a good outcome that you can expect from the occurrence.
Be Sure About The Decision
Be assured about your decision. Do not backtrack on the decision. See, humans have a tendency to make rash decisions that they regret later on. That should not be the case with you. The only way you can be assured is by believing in your research. Carry out well-sought research and see if indeed the number is low. With changing economics, and the rise and fall of demand there is a likelihood of certain sectors taking an intense brunt. So, think through your decision and mindfully accept or reject the offer.
The best part about being sure is that you do not regret your decisions later on. Sometimes at the urgency caused by emotional turmoil, we are often bombarded with strong emotions with a very sharp intellect. You have to fight the egotistical demon and gain your centredness.
Respond To Your Refusal With An Honest Reason
Refusals that you are forced to make for yourself are harder and more daunting. Hence, it’s very important to not let your emotional upheaval get the best of you. Try to convey to the panel honestly why you cannot take up the opportunity. While crafting the question, be precise and not subjective but objective with your answer.
I would recommend taking some time before the refusal. Ask them for some time so that you can reanalyze what you want. What kind of goals and aspirations do you want to achieve? Why getting them is important for you etc. Taking time off helps you to research and reevaluate the issue with ease and calm. Hope you make the best decision.
Concluding Thoughts on Responding To A Job Offer With Low Salary & Asking to Pay More
Telling a recruiter about the proposed salary being law is a daunting task. It can take your soul out of the body in order to let them know that the pay is low. Things do not exist in black and white, they rather exist in gray. I have elaborated on this write-up in the correct manner to address this problem in a job interview, hope this helped you!
10+ Ways To Politely Say Salary Is Low & Respond To A Disappointing Offer? was last modified: February 5th, 2023 by Atish Ranjan
Hi there, I am Atish Ranjan! I have been into work and business for more than 11 years now; I have given and taken numerous interviews over the years. Thus, I started TheInterview.top to share my knowledge & experience with you! Hope you enjoy reading here.
Hi there, I am Atish Ranjan! I have been into work and business for more than 11 years now; I have given and taken numerous interviews over the years. Thus, I started TheInterview.top to share my knowledge & experience with you! Hope you enjoy reading here.
