How To Decline A Job Offer Due To Salary? 14 Tips

How to decline a job offer due to salary issues? Salary is often a touchy subject, so declining a job offer due to salary can be tricky.

You don’t want to lowball yourself, but you also don’t want to seem greedy or ungrateful.

14 Smart Tips To Decline A Job Offer Due To Salary?

If the salary offered is too low, the best things to do are either decline or negotiate the salary. Here are some things to consider:

1. Politely Decline:

Start by expressing your gratitude for the offer. And then explain that the salary is not what you were expecting.

Whether jokingly or not, thank them for their “generous” offer. And then explain that you expected a higher salary.

You can say, “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this offer.”

Or, “Thank you for the offer, but I will have to decline.”

Mentioning a specific number is not recommended. Like, “I was hoping for a salary of $60,000.”

2. Give A Range:

You could also give them a range of what you expect to earn. For example, “I was hoping to earn between $X and $Y.”

This allows some room for negotiation. And it shows that you’re willing to be flexible.

However, giving a range can also backfire. The employer may lowball you and offer the lower end of your range. So only do this if you’re comfortable with that possibility.

3. Be Willing To Negotiate:

If you’re open to negotiating, let the employer know. For example, you can say something like, “I appreciate your offer.

I’m excited about the position and would love to work here. I was hoping we could discuss the salary.”

And when you do negotiate, remember to be respectful and professional.

Also, try to avoid getting emotional. The employer may use your emotions against you to lowball you even more.

4. Toot Your Own Horn:

One of the best ways to negotiate a higher salary is to list your accomplishments.

Suppose you’ve achieved something significant in your field. Or, if you have a unique skill set, be sure to mention it.

For example, you might say, “I know you’re looking for someone who can (specific skill).

Well, in my previous job, I increased sales by (percentage) through the use of (specific tactics).”

5. Have A Counter Offer Ready:

When negotiating salary, it’s always good to have a counteroffer in mind.

This gives you something to fall back on if the employer doesn’t meet your expectations.

For example, let’s say you’re hoping to earn a salary of $50,000 annually. But the employer only offers you $45,000.

You can counter with an offer of $52,500. While this may not be exactly what you wanted, it’s still a significant salary increase.

6. Be Willing To Walk Away:

If you’re unhappy with the offer, don’t hesitate to walk away. There are plenty of other employers out there who would be happy to have you on their team.

Walking away from a job offer is never easy. But if the salary isn’t what you’re looking for, it’s probably not worth your time to stay at the company.

And even if you do, you’ll likely be unhappy with your decision. So, it’s best to move on and find a company willing to pay you what you’re worth.

7. Don’t Be Desperate:

If you’re desperate for a job, you’re more likely to accept a low-paying position. Unfortunately, employers know this and will likely take advantage of your situation.

It’s also important to remember that a job is not worth your mental or physical health. If an employer puts too much stress on you, it’s not worth your time working for them.

Also, don’t let a potential employer take advantage of you. If they’re offering you a low salary, be firm and negotiate.

If they’re not willing to budge, it’s probably not worth your time to work for them.

8. Consider The Long Term:

When considering whether or not to accept a job offer, it’s important to consider the long term.

Will this job lead to other opportunities? Will it help you develop your skills?

You might want to decline the offer if the answer is no. Think about your career goals and whether or not a certain job will help you achieve them.

9. Use Your Current Salary As Leverage:

If you’re currently employed, use that to your advantage. For example, you can say something like, “I’m currently making X at my job.

I hoped to receive a salary offer at least 10-15% higher.”

This is a great way to get the employer to increase their initial offer. While you may not get the full 10-15%, you’re more likely to get a significant salary increase this way.

10. Don’t Burn Any Bridges:

When declining a job offer, being polite and professional is important. You don’t want to burn any bridges.

Thank the employer for your offer and let them know you appreciate their interest.

You can also let the employer know that you would be interested in working with them in the future.

11. Keep Your Options Open:

Even if you’ve already accepted a job offer, it’s important to keep your options open.

You never know when a better opportunity might come along.

Your dream job might not be available right now. But it could be a few months down the line.

And while you might not be interested in the job you’ve been offered, there’s always a chance that the company will make you a counteroffer.

12. Be Confident In Your Decision:

Once you’ve decided to decline a job offer, be confident in your decision.

Don’t second-guess yourself or wonder what could have been. And don’t feel guilty about turning down the job.

You’re doing what’s best for you and your career. And that’s nothing to get ashamed of.

13. Focus On The Positive:

Even though declining a job offer can be difficult, it’s important to focus on the positive.

You now know that the job wasn’t right for you. And you can continue your job search with a better understanding of what you’re looking for.

14. Don’t Be Afraid To Say No:

If you’ve decided that a job isn’t right for you, don’t be afraid to say no. It’s better to turn down a job offer than to accept one and then quit a few months later.

You should also keep in mind that it’s perfectly normal to decline a job offer.

Employers understand that people have different career goals. As a result, sometimes, a certain position isn’t a good fit.

While it’s not always easy, declining a job offer is sometimes the best decision you can make.

Following these tips can decline a job offer with grace and professionalism.

Can You Lose A Job Offer By Negotiating Salary?

It’s a common question that job seekers have: can you lose a job offer by negotiating salary?

The short answer is: no, you cannot lose a job offer by negotiating salary.

If an employer offers you a position, they want to hire you. However, they would not make you an offer if they were not interested in you and your qualifications.

However, there is a chance that the employer may rescind their offer. That is, if you try to negotiate for a higher salary than they are willing to pay.

It’s important to remember that employers have a budget for each position. And they may be unable to increase the salary beyond what they allocated.

How To Negotiate Benefits Other Than Salary

If you’re not happy with the salary offer, you can try to negotiate for other benefits. Such as:

1. Health Benefits:

This can include health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance. Of course, if you have a family, you’ll want to ensure they’re also covered.

Health benefits are an important part of any job offer. And they can be expensive if you have to pay for them yourself.

So while you may not be able to negotiate a higher salary, you may be able to get better health benefits.

2. Vacation Time:

Vacation time is another benefit that you may be able to negotiate. For example, if the company offers two weeks of vacation, see if you can get three weeks.

Or if they offer three weeks, try to get four. Again, the key is getting as much vacation time as possible.

Like a higher salary, more vacation time will give you more flexibility in your life.

3. Retirement Plans:

Some companies offer retirement plans, such as a 401(k). If the company you’re considering doesn’t offer a retirement plan, see if you can negotiate one.

For instance, you may be able to get the company to match a certain percentage of your contributions.

And while you’re at it, you may also want to negotiate the vesting period. This is when you must stay with the company before you can access the money in your retirement account.

4. Sign Bonuses:

A signing bonus is a lump sum of money you get when signing your employment contract.

This is a negotiable item, so if you’re offered a job, be sure to negotiate a signing bonus.

It can be a percentage of your salary or a set amount of money. Whatever the case, ensure you get something in writing, so there’s no confusion later.

5. Compensation For Relocation:

If you’re asked to relocate for the job, be sure to get compensation for your moving expenses.

This should cover the cost of hiring a professional moving company. And it could cover any ancillary costs like travel, storage, and so on.

While you’re at it, make sure you also negotiate a higher salary to account for the increased cost of living in your new location.

So these are some of the key points you should remember when negotiating your job offer.

By following these tips, you’ll be in a much better position to get the salary and benefits you deserve.

Final Word:

How to decline a job offer due to salary? If you’re unhappy with the salary offered, negotiate for a higher salary.

Do your research beforehand to know what the company is willing to pay.

Ask for other benefits if they’re not willing to budge on salary. But in the end, don’t be afraid to walk away from the offer if it’s not what you’re looking for.

Last Updated on 20 hours by Eesha Khan