{"id":15667,"date":"2023-03-26T21:00:01","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T10:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fuse-recruitment.ap.applyflow.com\/tips-negotiating-salaries-and-counter-offers\/"},"modified":"2025-10-07T14:15:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T03:15:44","slug":"tips-negotiating-salaries-and-counter-offers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fuserecruitment.com\/blogs\/tips-negotiating-salaries-and-counter-offers\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Tips for Negotiating Fair Salaries and Counter Offers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Talking about money is always a bit uncomfortable, especially regarding a new or potential job.<\/p>\n

Despite the awkwardness, negotiating fair salaries and counter offers are still conversations you\u2019ll need to prepare for. You can\u2019t expect employers to read your mind and understand what you want and value. These conversations will allow you to express your needs and ensure you\u2019re receiving a salary and benefits package that you\u2019re comfortable with.<\/p>\n

Here are our tips for making these conversations a lot easier.<\/p>\n

Salary Negotiation<\/h2>\n

1. Do your research<\/h3>\n

Research the company you\u2019re interviewing with before meeting with them. If you can\u2019t find much information about their salary offerings on websites like Glassdoor, have a look at SEEK or Indeed for their salary guides that will tell you the average salaries for different role types. Salaries vary due to experience level and skillsets. Doing your research will let you know if your expectations and what is being offered is too high or too low. Check out SEEK’s salary look-up tool here.<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t get ahead of yourself<\/h3>\n

While it is important that you know your worth, make sure you\u2019re being reasonable. Before making any high-reaching demands, consider the skills and experience you\u2019re offering the company. Don\u2019t forget, a higher salary always comes with higher expectations from your employer!<\/p>\n

3. Don\u2019t let salary be the first thing you ask the interviewer<\/h3>\n

Give the interviewer time to get to know you and show them why you\u2019re the best fit for the job (give them a reason to believe you\u2019re valuable). Being too eager about salary is a red flag to all employers. If salary is the only thing you care about, what\u2019s not to say you\u2019ll jump for a new role as soon as you\u2019re offered a bigger carrot?<\/p>\n

4. Don\u2019t let the interview end without talking about salary<\/h3>\n

At the end of the interview, the interviewer will ask you about salary expectations. If they don\u2019t, they\u2019ll ask you if you have any questions. This will be the time to ask what the salary is. Don\u2019t give everything away too quickly. If a salary higher than you expect is being offered, lucky you! If not, reflect on your research and negotiate a salary a bit higher than what you prefer. This will provide room for further negotiations. Where you\u2019re not sure what the going salary rate is, ask for a day to think about whether the offer is right for you. Go back and research, then provide a prompt response \u2013 remember that you\u2019re competing against other applicants!<\/p>\n

5. Be honest if you\u2019re unhappy with the proposed salary<\/h3>\n

If the offered salary is too low, tell them! Don\u2019t beat around the bush and remain neutral in the conversation, then expect a higher figure to appear out of nowhere. If you\u2019ve reached the stage of the hiring process where you\u2019re discussing salary, the interviewer is clearly impressed and considering you for the job.<\/p>\n

6. Don\u2019t bluff or claim you were offered more in a previous role<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re dissatisfied with the salary range that is being offered, it can be tempting to claim that you were offered more in your previous role. False claims surrounding salaries will come back to bite you. The interviewer would have also done their research to know the average market rate. Some may be ill-informed. But where they are not, they\u2019ll have realistic expectations about what you should be able to achieve at a certain salary range. If you\u2019ve been offered a higher salary because you\u2019ve asked for it, you\u2019ll be given KPIs or responsibilities to match it.<\/p>\n

7. Back yourself with evidence and confidence<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t settle for less than you\u2019re worth. If the salary being offered is less than what you\u2019re currently being paid, or less than what you believe you should be getting, be prepared to back yourself in explaining why this is the case. Emphasise what you\u2019ll be bringing to the company, this includes your past experiences, achievements and how you plan to take the company further with your skills. Be prepared to stand your ground because, at the end of the day, you need to live with what is being offered. Don\u2019t feel compelled to accept, especially if it is the only offer you have currently received, there will be more around the corner that will be more suitable to you and your needs.<\/p>\n

8. Look at the bigger picture and ask yourself if money is the only thing that matters about the job<\/h3>\n

So, the salary being offered is less than what you hoped for? Looking at the bigger picture can help you see what the offer is really worth. Consider what else you will be gaining from the job, such as new skills, experience, mentorship, other benefits, or other career opportunities. Is it a shorter commute that gives you two hours back in your day? These aspects might help you better achieve your life or career goals than money.<\/p>\n

9. Get it in writing<\/h3>\n

Once negotiations have been had, and you and the interviewer have agreed upon a salary, make sure you have this information in writing before accepting the job, and especially before submitting your resignation letter! Miscommunications happen and are better resolved early.<\/p>\n

Managing counter offers<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s say, you\u2019ve now been offered the job and you\u2019ve gone back to tell your employer about the offer.<\/p>\n

What happens when your employer proposes a counter offer after you announce your resignation?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dig deeper to see why they might propose a counter offer and what you can do when facing this situation.<\/p>\n

What is a counter offer?<\/p>\n

Counter offers are made when an employer wants to retain an employee who has submitted their resignation. It can be in the form of a promotion, a salary increase, additional benefits, another role, increased responsibilities, and anything else.<\/p>\n

The aim of a counter offer is to convince the employee to stay at their current job.<\/p>\n

A counter offer can be a great opportunity for you if the issues and original motivators for you wanting to leave are addressed. It\u2019s important that you properly reflect on your situation before making your final decision. Statistics show that most people who accept a counter offer end up leaving after six months anyway.<\/p>\n

That bigger pay cheque isn\u2019t going to make your job more enjoyable, if enjoyable work is what you\u2019re after.<\/p>\n

“Accepting a counter offer for short-term gain is no help to anyone \u2013 you\u2019re simply wasting time before going back on your search.”- Sarah Frank, Recruitment Consultant<\/p>\n

To assist you in navigating this line of thinking and help you make the right decision, we\u2019ve broken down the reasons why you should vs. shouldn\u2019t accept a counter offer.<\/p>\n

10. Before making your decision<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve received a counter offer, don\u2019t feel pressured to accept or decline it straight away \u2013 ask for a few days to properly think about what you\u2019re going to do.<\/p>\n

During this time, consider why you wanted to leave your current job in the first place, what it was that appealed to you about the other offer, and what the perfect scenario would look like. Whether it be down to salary, workplace culture, lack of challenges, or career advancement opportunities, at some point, you realise another job could offer what your current role is lacking.<\/p>\n

Think about what motivated you to go through the entire interview and hiring process. If it is a matter of salary or benefits, accepting the counter offer could be an easier decision.<\/p>\n

However, if it isn\u2019t something as tangible or clearly defined, you may need to dive deeper to discover what is really causing you to be dissatisfied.<\/p>\n

Here are less obvious, yet very common, reasons people are dissatisfied in their roles:<\/p>\n