The Art of Salary Negotiation: How to Write a Persuasive Email

Don't leave money on the table. Learn how to effectively negotiate your salary with our step-by-step guide on writing a salary negotiation email

The Art of Salary Negotiation: How to Write a Persuasive Email

So, you’ve found the job of your dreams, aced the interview process, and received a call-back with an offer. But if the salary offered isn’t what you expected, it’s time to send an email to negotiate your salary. Feel awkward about requesting more money? Don’t be, because 84% of employers revealed they always anticipate job candidates to negotiate salary.

At 4 Day Week, we’ve seen this happen to numerous job seekers, and while it’s unlucky, a lowball salary doesn’t always mean a lost cause. It’s how you respond that matters. In this article, we’ll explore:

  • What a salary negotiation email is
  • What you should say
  • Why you should negotiate
  • How to write one
  • Tips to bear in mind when writing the email
  • Salary negotiation email templates to guide you when composing your own

What’s a Salary Negotiation Email?

Salary negotiation over email involves writing a message via email to your prospective hiring manager or employer concerning the initial salary offered for your job. In the email, you need to outline the salary you want and why you believe you deserve it.

Once you receive the initial offer or while you’re presently working for an organization, you have a right to send an email to discuss your salary. For instance, if you’ve worked for a firm for two years, you may want to talk about a raise in line with your development and accomplishments in your existing role.

What to Say in a Salary Negotiation Email

When it comes to creating your email, be sure to share ways you’ll bring value to the organization and why your pay expectations are higher. But avoid including information about your personal life as the reason for wanting more money.

Declaring you’ve had some expensive work done on your car or that your rent went up won’t convince the employer. Use these four main elements in your negotiation email:

  • Kick-off with a greeting: Insert the name of the recruiter or employer in the email, or whoever you’re responding to.
  • Express gratitude: Tell your prospective hiring manager how excited you are about starting the new position and how much you appreciate the offer.
  • Communicate your preferred salary with rationale: Acknowledge the figure they’ve offered you but tactfully tell them why you expect slightly more money. Express what you desire to receive together with your reasoning.

Salary Negotiation Email Samples

We’ve pulled together some salary negotiation email templates to help you put together the perfect text so you receive the reward you’re worthy of.

Template 1: For unsatisfactory offer centered on your credentials

Hi [EMPLOYER’S NAME),

I’m delighted to read this email! I’m so grateful to be appointed as (JOB TITLE).

But, I’d like to talk to you about the base salary prior to signing the offer. Because I have (LIST SEVERAL INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CREDENTIALS) and previous experience in (HIGHLIGHT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS), I’m sure I’ll bring excellent benefit to (ORGANIZATION NAME). Due to my (CERTIFICATIONS) and (EXPERIENCE), I was ideally seeking an offer nearer to (ANTICIPATED WAGE).

While I’m thrilled about the job offer, I’d still like to chat about whether there’s any scope to move my salary nearer to this figure. If necessary, I am prepared to bridge the gap via alternative methods like (PERK 1) or (PERK 2).

Thank you very much,

(YOUR NAME)

Template 2: For a subpar offer

Dear (EMPLOYER NAME),

Lovely to hear from you, and I really appreciate your email. I can’t wait to join (ORGANIZATION NAME) as (YOUR JOB ROLE).

Because of my (LIST A FEW SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONS/SUMMARIZE YOUR MAIN PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS), I don’t doubt that I’ll succeed at (COMPANY NAME). But, before I can formally accept the proposal, I’d like to talk about the initial salary offered. After doing a little research, the typical salary for similar roles in the (WHERE YOU LIVE) region is around the (TYPICAL SALARY) mark. With this in mind, I wish to discuss whether there’s any scope to move the offer nearer to (DESIRED SALARY).

Once again, I’m delighted you’ve offered me this job role, and I can’t wait to discuss things further at a time convenient to you.

Thanks,

(YOUR NAME)

Template 3: For higher offers from a different organization

Hi (NAME),

Thank you for offering me the (JOB ROLE). I can’t wait to be part of the (ORGANIZATION NAME) team!

But I’d like to chat with you about the base salary before accepting your offer. Even though (COMPANY NAME) is my number one preference, I have received another offer with a higher base rate of (SALARY).

That being said, I’d prefer to join your team and would have no hesitation in accepting your offer if you would kindly match this base salary. I understand that this figure may exceed your initial budget, but I’m willing and happy to discuss a figure that works for both of us.

I’m sure I will add excellent value to your team and hope we can reach a mutual agreement.

Kind regards,

(NAME)

Which is Better: Email, Phone, Or In-Person?

As for which communication medium is best for negotiating your salary, this is a little subjective. Several companies prefer to talk in person or on the phone, believing that email conversations can easily be misconstrued. What’s more, when you’re talking, you get a feel for how interested the other party is in what you’re saying.

On the other hand, negotiating via email can give a candidate time to remain calm. Awkward situations typically stem from bad situations in which one party feels strained, but emailing allows you time to organize your thoughts to form an intelligible argument.

Can You Lose a Job Offer By Discussing Salary?

The short answer is that you can’t lose a job offer simply by requesting to discuss your salary. But if you don’t negotiate correctly, there’s a small chance of losing it. Information from Stahl discovered that 87% of managers affirmed they’ve never withdrawn a job offer based on salary negotiations.

Rather than fretting that requesting an increase will ruin your chances, don’t feel pressured into accepting the initial offer instantly. Be brave – ask for your desired salary. If your would-be employer won’t shift, consider declining the offer.

Why You Should Negotiate

As little as 7% of us discuss our salaries. Not only is successfully negotiating your salary vital for your career path, but it also earns you substantial rewards now and in the long term – and not just monetary ones.

Sure, talking about your salary may sound like a challenging conversation, particularly if you’re an introvert or a female suffering from the gender pay gap. But an honest discussion about money won’t harm your hiring prospects. More accurately, it means you’re fighting for what you’re worth and could make you look even more valuable to a would-be hiring manager.

How to Create a Stellar Salary Negotiation Email

Wondering how to write a salary negotiation email that gets straight to the point? Make it clear from the get-go that you want to talk about your salary, irrespective of whether you’ve been at the company for years or are a newbie wishing to talk about a signing bonus.

1. Choose a Standout Greeting

Be professional and use the appropriate greeting. This largely depends on your initial communication. For example, Dear Mrs. Smith is formal, while Hi Ben is informal. Use your know-how to ascertain the most applicable greeting. In doubt? Go formal. Emailing your current boss? The greeting depends on your relationship.

2. Have a Clear Purpose and Objective in Mind

Be clear about why you want the salary bump. Is it because you’ve worked there for 10 years? Be specific about what you want. Having a certain figure in mind is best before beginning negotiations. Be frank. You want the hiring manager to ascertain if it’s possible to progress.

3. Use Appropriate Salary Negotiation Subject Lines

Emails with personalized subject lines increase open rates by 26% more than un-personalized emails. When it comes to negotiating your salary, the subject line you use is a fundamental detail. The perfect subject line can make all the difference between a hiring manager opening and reading your email or overlooking it. To make yours stand out, use one of these:

  • [YOUR NAME], Request for a raise
  • [YOUR NAME], Negotiating my salary
  • [YOUR NAME], Salary raise request
  • [YOUR NAME], Meeting request to discuss my salary
  • [YOUR NAME], Asking for a salary increase
  • [YOUR NAME], I’d love to speak with you about my salary

4. Be Simple and Concise

Sure, it’s critical to outline your experience and skills. But keep your email to roughly three to four paragraphs. Include an intro, body, and conclusion. State your case confidently and plainly, and support your email with tangible examples and proof, where possible.

5. Do Some Digging

Do some research on the market in your local area to find out the salary range for comparable positions. If your salary base offer is within the market range, chances are you probably won’t see much movement on your salary. It’s up to you to prove to your would-be employer how much value you can bring to the company.

Conclusion

Even if your job offer seems great, don’t be scared to negotiate. The best way to do so is to send a counteroffer email. Ultimately, the negotiation will move to the phone, but it’s better to discuss over email for as long as you can.

The bottom line is people are afraid of negotiating. Yet, there’s little chance of losing a job offer or getting fired simply because you requested a higher salary. Plus, hiring managers expect you to haggle. So, what are you waiting for?

If you’re still looking for a job, It’s now faster and easier than ever to find part-time work through us here at 4 Day Week. Many of our vacancies are 32 hours a week and involve working remotely. At 4 Day Week, it’s our job to help you find a home-based role in something you love.