Why You Should NOT Negotiate Your Employment Offer on An Email

Congratulations, you've received the offer letter. After three interview rounds and likely hundreds of candidates competing, you have been selected as the most suitable candidate for the job. You definitely deserve a pat on the back. Well done!

Even if you're almost certain you'll accept the job, it's normal to try negotiating for a higher salary or additional perks.

But are you aware there's a right way and a wrong way to negotiate?

Although the employer may have sent you an offer letter via email for review, it's only natural to want to initiate a phone conversation before signing the document. You might think that if you don't, someone else will, and you'll lose the offer you've been anticipating. While this is true, there's a good chance the employer doesn't want to lose you either.

Before making the call, consider sending a brief thank you email expressing your enthusiasm for the job and suggesting a suitable time to discuss a few details:

Once the date and time for the call are confirmed, take a few minutes to jot down the points you need to discuss. Ensure you have a notepad handy and any references that can speak highly of you and your work. Make sure to take or make the call in a quiet place free from disturbances or distractions.

Here’s a glimpse of what you might expect. 

You: “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I’m excited about the opportunity to join "company name" and have enjoyed the interview process and meeting everyone so far. I’d like to discuss a few details of this offer with you; is now a good time?”

Hiring Manager: “Yes, what would you like to discuss?”

You: “I’d like to discuss the salary included in the offer. After researching similar roles in Dubai, particularly with your direct competitors (make sure your research is thorough), for someone with my experience and education level, I was expecting an offer closer to AED X. Is there any flexibility in reaching that figure?”

[Note: Be careful not to sound demanding or overquote. Your choice of words is crucial and should not come across as greedy, demanding, or rude]

Hiring Manager: “I understand your concerns. Unfortunately, all of our hires start at the same range (or this is the maximum budget allotted for this role), so increasing that amount isn’t possible.”

You: “OK, thanks for sharing. I understand that limitation. My concern is covering my cost of moving since I’d need to travel an extra 30 minutes to reach the office (or since I’m due for a promotion within my current company in 3 months). Could we discuss opportunities for school fees for my children (or a gym membership or an additional airline ticket for my spouse)?”

Hiring Manager: “I believe we might be able to accommodate something, but I’ll need to discuss with my HR team and get back to you. What else would you like to discuss?”

If there’s anything else you want to address, you can do so now. Otherwise, thank the hiring manager and end the call, understanding that they will get back to you regarding your requests. Remember, as you conduct a negotiation, you should be prepared to make trade-offs.

This is an important conversation, and you should do everything possible to ensure it goes smoothly. Keep the communication channel open. This is the key to successful negotiations.