I have a Job Offer, What is the Best Wording to begin my Counteroffer?

Question

I quoted a my range of 35-45, They offered 38k yr.

Industry base in my area is 45-47k, i have the experience and education to warrant it.

My last position in this field 2 yrs ago paid me 59k yr.

The hiring manager seems very reasonable. What do i say or write to begin the counter.

Thanks in advance

well, at the end of the interview after i gave the range, he said the offer will surely be closer to the top number, so i was expecting something around 41-43k.
He volunteered that info.
Im interested in the wording of my counteroffer, any help?

Answer 1

Probably better done verbally, in person if possible, than in a letter.

They came in within the range you asked for, and not at the bottom of it. If you expected more, you should have said so. They could be pretty miffed now if you refuse the offer based on salary, when they gave you more than the minimum you asked for. Did you include anything like "depending on opportunities, and benefits" when they asked for your numbers? That might give you a little bit of an out unless benefits are outstanding.

Otherwise, would suggest you ask when you could expect a salary review to get up nearer to the industry base in the area if your performance is excellent. Let them know you're really eager to work for them, but want to be able to advance quickly since you'll be starting at a lower salary.

Answer 2

Imho, I think it's your fault. You should not have asked for 35. Now you are stuck. You should have asked for something reasonable.

I applied for a job where the industry average in that geographic area is 50k. The average earnings of someone with my degree is 45k. I don't have previous experience at that particular job (although I was qualified for what they asked for in the ad,) so that automatically lowers what I should expect by 5-10k. My previous job (in a different field) paid me 35k. Therefore, I set my range at 40-50k: more than I made at my last job, and less than the industry standard. If they offered me anything in that range, I would have been happy. At the low end, I would have gotten more than my last job, at the high end, at or near the average even though i don't have experience.

Imho, what you should do (since they gave you more than the minimum you asked for) is ask for a 1 year contract max and renegotiate at that time when you've "proved yourself."