Email Templates: Responding To A Lowball Salary Offer

If you have received a job offer but the salary presented does not meet your needs, the first thing you should to is get in touch with your SkyWater recruiter to discuss next steps.

If you are without a recruiter in your corner, and are in need of a template to begin crafting your email response to a lowball salary offer, you've come to the right place. These email templates are meant to get you started in your response.

Asking for up to a 20% higher base salary.
Asking for more than a 20% higher base salary.

If you have not yet determined your salary target, review my post titled "2 Things You Should Never Do After A Lowball Salary Offer, And The 7 Steps You Should Take Instead."

NOTE: Whenever using a template, remember that the specific wording you choose should mirror the tone and phrasing that are natural to you and that you have used throughout your interactions with this employer. This template should simply be used as a starting point, and covers the areas of your counter offer email that we recommend in our article titled "2 Things You Should Never Do After A Lowball Salary Offer, And The 7 Steps You Should Take Instead."

Lowball Salary Email Template 1

Asking for up to a 20% higher base salary

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Subject Line: [Your First and Last Name]: Job Offer

Good morning, Pat!

I want to thank you again for the offer you extended yesterday. I’ve long admired [company name] and I’m more convinced than ever that my experience in [name the sector or role] make me a great match for [job title] role.

As promised, I’ve taken some time to carefully review the details of the offer and I’d like to revisit the base salary component.

I have [name 1-2 strengths and/or previous successes] and am confident I can hit the ground running in as your new [job title]. Your offer includes a base salary of [$X]. Going into this process, I was aiming for a base salary of [$Y (a number that isn’t more than 10-20% higher than the original offer. If higher, see TEMPLATE 2]. That salary reflects my qualifications as well as the value and results I believe I will deliver to [company name]. It’s also consistent with my understanding of current market values for similar positions.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, Pat. I would love to become part of the [company name] team!

Sincerely,
[your name]
[your contact info]

Lowball Salary Email Template 2

Asking for more than a 20% higher base salary.

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Subject Line: [Your First and Last Name]: Job Offer

Good morning, Pat!

I want to thank you again for the offer you extended yesterday. I’ve long admired [company name] and I’m more convinced than ever that my experience in [name the sector or role] make me a great match for [job title] role.

As promised, I’ve taken some time to carefully review the details of the offer and I’d like to revisit the base salary component.

I have [name 1-2 strengths and/or previous successes] and am confident I can hit the ground running in as your new [job title]. Your offer includes a base salary of [$X]. Going into this process, I was aiming for a base salary of [$Y (a number between 110-120% of the original offer). If higher, see example B below].

Although the gap between my salary expectations and your offer seems wide at the moment, the [$Y] base salary reflects my qualifications, value, and results I believe I will deliver to [company name]. It’s also consistent with my understanding of current market values for similar positions.

I’m hopeful that we can find a way to close that gap in a way that works for both of us. If you like, I’d be very happy to share the sources I’ve used during my own salary research.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, Pat, and I hope I’ve successfully conveyed my enthusiasm for the job. I would love to become part of the [company name] team!

Sincerely,
[your name]
[your contact info]

I hope these email templates are a good starting point for crafting your email response. If your job search isn't going as well as you anticipated, take a look at some of the roles that SkyWater recruiters are currently seeking candidates for in your field. Perhaps working with a recruiter to land your next role could help.