✨ Activity: Career Search - Negotiating Job Offers

Introduction

Successful job offer negotiation starts before you apply. Be clear on:

• The role you want
• Your top priorities
• What you offer
• Labour market conditions
• Your overall career goals

Bowles & Thomason (2021) suggest that negotiating your role, such as responsibilities and growth opportunities, often has a greater long-term impact than negotiating salary. Start with your goals and work backwards.

If you haven’t completed the Determining Direction Unit, use the worksheet to clarify your goals and value. This preparation strengthens your case when negotiating pay or responsibilities.

This module covers:

• Research (Parts 1–3)
• Job offer details
• How to respond
• Handling multiple offers
• Reflection

Download the Negotiating Job Offers Worksheet (PDF) to complete the research and reflection activities.

Self Awareness

Before negotiating, be clear on your priorities. Use the worksheet to answer:

• What are your values and career goals?
• What do you offer?
• What are your expectations for the role, hours, and work setting (remote/in-office)?
• What type of workplace culture suits you?

Example: You may need schedule flexibility for family responsibilities or prioritize skill development during a career change.

Know and rank your priorities before entering negotiations.

Assess Your Value

Know what you are—and aren't—bringing to the table. When you're clear on your skills and experience from work and education, you can objectively compare your qualifications to any job posting.

This is why we imparted the importance of knowing yourself, your situation and needs, and skills in the Determining Direction Unit. If you are not clear on these Self Awareness particulars, we invite you to go through this unit.

Research Market Salary

To align your salary expectations with the market, search job postings with similar titles or duties—starting locally, then expanding as needed. Look for listed salaries and consult research sites.

• Salary Wizard (Canada)
• Glassdoor (Canada)
• LinkedIn
• Randstad Salary Guide (Canada)
• Robert Half Salary Guide (Canada)
• PayScale’s Salary Calculator (US)

Job Offer Details

While many aspects of a job offer may be negotiable, some are fixed due to organizational policies, HR guidelines, or budget limits.

Potentially Negotiable Items:

Approach negotiations with a collaborative mindset. Know your non-negotiables, understand your value, and be prepared to compromise.

Also consider your bottom line. Are you re-entering the workforce and open to a lower offer for now? Can you wait for better opportunities? Or is this role a stepping stone to future growth?

Understanding your priorities, financial needs, and long-term goals will guide smart decisions.

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)

Multiple Job Offers

Congratulations! Receiving multiple offers is exciting—and gives you negotiation leverage. However, it’s important to remain respectful.

Be transparent: let all parties know you're considering multiple offers.

As you review each offer, ask yourself:

• Which one aligns best with your career goals?
• Which excites you most?
• Which meets more of your priorities?

Once you’ve assessed them, revisit the earlier negotiation steps to advocate for what matters most.

Reflection

Take a moment to recall and reflect on the last job offer that you negotiated.

• On a scale of 1-10 (low to high), how would you rate your execution?
• What did you do well?
• What might you do differently next time?

Next, continue on to Summary: Career Search