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Responses

An offer is on the table. Congratulations!

This is a critical moment—once you accept the terms of the offer, you have lost any leveraging power to wield higher outcomes on salary or other particulars pertaining to compensation, like vacation, etc. 

Review the total compensation package. Look at your criteria identified in your Research Part 1 (or the Determining Direction Unit) and assess the degree to which the position, the company, and the package meets your criteria.

Remember, your **nonverbal and paraverbal communication speaks volumes; smile, arms open (not crossed), lean in, and impart a neutral and confident tone. (**Communication is covered in the Demonstrating Skills Unit)

You do not need to accept the offer right away. You may receive a few hours or a day to review the offer, you need to clarify that, for instance,

“Thank you for your opening offer, I am very interested in this position and your company, and would appreciate 24 hours to review your offer. What are your guidelines?”

Or, if you want to initiate the negotiation process immediately after reviewing the offer, you can state,

“Thank you for your opening offer. In what ways is the offer flexible?"

“Thank you for your opening offer, I am very interested in this position and your company. When could we continue discussing, e.g., the salary and benefits (or the terms you find unsatisfactory)?”

In the event that there is more than one item that you want to negotiate, address them at the same time versus one item at a time (Malhotra, 2017).

If you are unsatisfied with the response or counter-offer, here are a few responses,

“Thank you for amending your offer. Could you please tell me more about how you arrived at this offer?” 

Or, “Thank you for this offer. The position entails “X,” I bring “X” qualifications and have proven my value in other roles with “X” results. What are the company’s practices for performance and salary reviews?"

Or, “How could we continue to discuss this offer? It would be great to come to a mutual agreement.”

If you have decided the compensation package is not enough and will be walking away, it is prudent to politely and professionally respond,

"Thank you for your offer, time, and this opportunity! I am declining the offer because it is very important at this time to focus on advancing my career on all levels."

Remember how you impart your message (paraverbal communication) is key to keeping a cordial climate. The world is small and future junctures could take place.

The above scripts were revised from a list by Kerri Wall, RRU Alumni, MALT (Master of Arts in Leadership & Training, 2006) May 20, 2021.

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