✨ Activity: Career Search - Negotiating Job Offers

Responses

An offer is on the table. Congratulations!

This is a critical moment—once you accept, your leverage is gone. Review the full compensation package and compare it to your priorities.

Communication matters: Use open body language and a calm, confident tone.

You don’t need to accept immediately. It’s common to ask for time:
“Thank you for the offer. I’m very interested and would appreciate 24 hours to review it. What’s your timeline?”

To begin negotiating:

• “In what ways is the offer flexible?”
• “When could we discuss the salary and benefits further?”

If negotiating multiple items, address them together—not one at a time.

If the counteroffer isn’t sufficient:

• “Could you explain how the offer was determined?”
• “Given the role and my experience, what are your review and advancement practices?”
• “How can we work toward a mutual agreement?”

If you decide to decline:

“Thank you for the offer and your time. I’m focusing on opportunities that align more fully with my career goals.”

Always stay professional—how you communicate matters. The world is small, and paths may cross again.

(Adapted from Kerri Wall, RRU Alumni, MALT, 2006)