Negotiating

Think about an offer as a full package that needs to be unpacked to find what it contains. Look at the elements of the offer, including salary, benefits, job responsibilities, and opportunities for growth. 

Research how the terms compare to similar positions at other organizations within the industry. Consider if the offer reflects your value given your education, experience, and skills. Assess what your alternatives are if you decide to decline the offer.

Be cautious about evaluating an offer solely on its salary or the prestige of the organization. It is also important to consider if a job is right for you personally. Reflect on your values and long-term goals, and ask yourself how this position aligns with them. 

Review additional information on evaluating offers, including questions to ask to determine the value of your offer, resources for researching industry compensation trends, tips on evaluating benefits, and guidance on how to compare multiple potential offers.

We also encourage you to schedule a career counseling appointment if you’d like to talk through your offer.

An organization is not required to give you a particular timeframe within which you have to make a decision. Some will give you two weeks or more while others will look for your response within a day or two of their offer. 

We encourage you to pause before accepting or committing to the position verbally until you are ready to respond to the offer. If you are interested in the opportunity and have been given a very short turnaround time for your decision, it is reasonable to ask for an extension of time to consider the offer. You also may be in the very late stages of other recruitment processes and would like to complete them. 

Think about what would be a reasonable amount of time and reach out to your contact at the organization to speak with them and ask for an extension of time to make an informed decision. Remember that the employer may say no to your request for an extension, and you may have to get back to them with your decision. We encourage you to work with a career counselor to think through scenarios and prepare for conversations with the employer in order to feel comfortable and ready.   

A note about participating in On-Campus Recruiting/Interviewing (OCI): Our OCI employers are encouraged to accommodate reasonable student requests to extend offer deadlines, and we provide guidelines to employers with suggested offer deadline dates. Refer to CCE’s Policies and Procedures for this semester’s offer acceptance guidelines. Note that these are suggested dates and not firm deadlines that employers must follow. 

If you are interested in the position but are not satisfied with one or more factors, you may choose to negotiate. 

Contact the person hiring you, reiterate your interest in the position, and explain your desire to negotiate. Be prepared to discuss your reasoning on the spot, or schedule a time to speak or meet, depending on your contact’s schedule.

You should only negotiate with an employer whose offer you plan to accept if the negotiation goes well. It is unethical and potentially damaging to your reputation to negotiate with an employer whose offer you have no intent to accept even if your preferred terms are met. 

Before your phone call or scheduled meeting, recap the following information from your research:

• The elements that make up competitive offers for your industry and position
• An accurate salary range for similar positions in your organization and industry

Make sure that your bottom line is within this range.

Going into the meeting:

• Know what your goals are for the negotiation
• Be prepared to support your case with your research and by showing what you would bring to the role
• Anticipate the employer’s counterarguments and frame your position in a way that will resonate with them
• Practice your negotiation skills with friends, mentors, or a career counselor

See our guidance on negotiating salaries for more preparation tips and strategies for negotiating effectively.

Not all companies will be willing to negotiate, but it is worth discussing options before accepting a position. You should be prepared to compromise if necessary or to turn down the offer if the employer cannot meet your expectations.

When negotiations are complete, be sure to get the final offer, with all details, in writing.

You have reached the point in your job search process when you have received an offer, possibly several. Remember, the job search is not yet over. You still have to respond to the offer(s). 

Accepting an Offer

Even if you have accepted an offer verbally, you should follow up your acceptance in writing as a chance to:

• Confirm the agreed upon salary, and date you will report to work
• Outline the terms of your employment
• Ask any questions you may have

Close the letter with an expression of your appreciation at joining the organization.

Remember accepting an offer, whether verbally or in writing, matters. Once you have made an acceptance, notify all other organizations/companies that have made offers, and inform them of your decision.  

Declining an Offer

If you are not interested in moving forward with an offer, it is important to communicate in a timely manner and with the understanding that you may in the future work in partnership with the organization through another job or apply to another position with them. In your communication with them:

• Express your appreciation for the offer and for the interest and confidence the employer has shown in you
• If appropriate, tell the employer where you will be going to work or where you have enrolled if you are continuing your education
• You do not need to share why you have accepted another position or what salary was offered

There is a difference between declining an offer received and retracting your acceptance of an offer or reneging. Retracting your previous acceptance is not to be taken lightly as it may impact your future relationship with that company/organization. Take your time and be thoughtful about your impact throughout the negotiation and acceptance process. You want to show your most ethical and professional behavior to your future co-workers. Connect with a career counselor if you need to discuss a dilemma or change in circumstances.