First, congratulations on getting the offer, but know that just because you have an offer doesn’t mean you have to accept, and if you will accept, it doesn’t mean you have to say yes without any negotiation.
As you are making a decision, make sure you know enough about the organization, the job, and the details of each offer to weigh one offer against another. If you lack information, seek it out by asking the employer, researching the organization, and talking to others who work at or are familiar with the organization or job.
Evaluating the offer
Start a list of all features that are important to you in this job:
- These may include such items as:
- Type of work you’ll be doing
- The organization’s reputation and prestige
- Training program
- Salary
- Specific benefits
- Location of job
- Opportunities for advancement
- Work environment
- Opportunity for free time (evenings and weekends)
- Opportunity for travel
- Colleagues
- Supervisor
What Matters Most?
After you have all features on your list, rank them in order of your priorities. For example, type of work may be most important to you, followed by salary, and then specific benefits.
Weigh Your Options Carefully
In the final analysis, remember to weigh carefully what is most important to you. Don’t be swayed by the job title or the prestige of the organization and how it will impress your relatives. While it is helpful to get advice from family and friends, you are the one who will be going to work every day. You need to be sure that your job will be a good experience for you and will allow you to achieve your initial goals. Remember, though, that no job is perfect or able to meet all your needs. Consider the factors that you are willing to compromise on or have met in other ways. For example, if you enjoy travel and your job provides little opportunity for it, you can use long weekends and vacations for this interest.
Nothing Is Forever
Keep in mind that while you want to make the best possible decision at this moment in time, your decision is not irrevocable. The odds are great that you will not remain with this employer for your entire career. As you progress in your career, you will continue to learn which features are of highest priority for you (your priorities will also probably change with time) and how to find the best opportunity to have these priorities met. Good luck!
Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers
You Got an Offer, Now What?
You received an offer, but now what do you do? Consider the steps below.
1. Send a thank you
- Say you are “going to review this offer and come back to you with an informed response”
- You can ask for deadline if not provided
- As soon as you receive an offer, DO NOT immediately…
- Negotiate nor say “yes”
- Take time to consider the salary and benefits, and do salary research if you have not already
- Once you accept an offer, there is not negotiation
2. Email all places for which you are still a candidate and/or have interest
- Subject: Status Update of [name] Candidate for [role]
- Body: I am providing an update that I was offered a job today and must decide by [time]. I am still interested in a position with [organization] and hope to consider your organization as well. Thank you so much.
- Alternative: I wanted to let you know I received an offer today. As a courtesy, I want to give you an opportunity, if interested and I hope you are, to offer me a job. I am going to be reviewing the offer in the week, and I hope I can consider your organization. Thank you so much.
Note: Do not force anything. The goal is to provide an update and see if the other organization can also make a move.
3. Research & Read
- Consider the benefits – Do the math!
- e.g., If you know how many doctor appointments you have in a year, determine what do you need to add to your base pay to break even on medical service expenses.
- Data
- Look at 3 or more website (see “Salary Negotiation and Data Resources” section for more).
- O*Net
- Job boards
- Look at competition (i.e., similar role at different org)
- Free Web Resources
- NACE compensation reports (can be higher education specific)
- etc.
4. Put together a follow up email
- Body: Thank you again and I am excited to consider this offer. I have questions and comments.
- Bullet out questions about benefits (retirement, promotions, reviews, etc.)
- Add items not included
- “I didn’t see anything about [insert]”
- e.g., Transportation/commuter benefits, IFV, maternity/paternity leave, etc. (i.e., something you could give up if not available)
- Optional: “As you are pulling those answers for me together, I thought I would share with you what I think of the offer so far.”
- Possible next statements:
- The offer came in lower than expected.
- It is hard to accept an offer I am interested in but is lower than I expected (and/or I know I would lose money accepting).
- I’ve conducted thorough market research for similar roles, and the salary offered is below the typical range/what I expected.*
- I must consider the cost of living in the area and find the salary challenging for the area.*
- Based on my qualifications and industry-standard salary for this/a similar position, I was seeking a higher offer.*
- I am shocked there is not a sign on bonus
- Wrap up: I look forward to working with you to get to a mutual agreement.
*Source/Inspiration: https://apttones.com/politely-say-the-salary-is-too-low/
5. Negotiate
Review the other negotiation sections for more information.
- Know your rights
- Salary
- Ask for more because (typically) the final number will be lower than what you ask for
- Benefits
- Vacation/off time
- Relocation assistance
- Hybrid/remote
- etc.
Source: NACE webinar 2025 – Women and Salary Negotiation
Salary Negotiation & Accepting an Offer
Salary Negotiation and Accepting a Job Offer
You’ve been through all the steps; you have developed the perfect resume and cover letter that secured a crucial interview, you aced the interview, and the firm is offering you a job. Now you want to make sure you receive the best compensation package possible. The information below can serve as a guide to making sure you do not overlook this crucial component of the hiring process. Also, if you ask a question, provide time to allow for the organization to absorb, consider, and respond.
Do your homework BEFORE the interview.
A job offer could come at any point. Be prepared by knowing general salary ranges for such a position, as well as typical health and retirement benefits. In addition, you should be aware of your financial situation and needs with respect to possible salary ranges, and your absolute lowest amount.
Do NOT bring up salary before having an offer in hand.
Be prepared to answer questions about salary before and after an initial offer:
Q: “What are your salary requirements?”
A: “It is my understanding that the position requires x, y, and z. Based on the salary range advertised and based on research I would expect a range of: $XX,XXX – XX,XXX or What is a normal salary range for this type of position in your company?”
Q: “How much did you earn at your last job?”
A: “I would prefer learning more about this position before discussing compensation, and I am confident that we can come to a mutual agreement about salary at the right time.”
Q: “A salary range for this position is x to y. Is that what you expected?”
A: “It is close to what I was expecting. I expected a range more like y to z.” (make sure your offer’s lower range is in line with the employer’s upper range, and that your range is consistent with the industry-wide rate for that position).
Q: “The salary we are offering is x per year.”
A: “X per year…“ (if lower than expected, you can repeat the salary and then pause as if reflecting on the number while you wait for an employer to increase the offer. If there is no higher offer, try saying that your expected range was x to y, with x being the low end. Make sure you can justify the higher number to your employer by being able to explain your value to the organization!). Don’t forget to consider the benefits that are also being offered.
Make sure you understand benefits when evaluating any offers:
- Health, dental, disability, and life insurance
- Paid vacation, maternity/paternity, and sick leave
- Cost of living allowances and relocation bonuses
- Retirement plans, including stock options, if applicable
When accepting an offer:
- Understand ALL of the job duties and responsibilities
- Be aware of the performance evaluation process and room for advancement
- Know the details of the salary and compensation package
- Accept the offer verbally and ask for a written offer
- Follow-up acceptance with a formal letter that includes job title, annual salary, and agreed upon start date
Strategies for Fair Pay
Strategies for Fair Pay
Consider the L.O.V.E method to obtain fair pay in the job search and hiring process.
Level Up:
Don’t apply for a role that does not require your qualifications. Rather, apply for “reach” positions (aka., something beyond your perceived qualifications). The worst that happens is not hearing back or getting a “no.”
- NOTE from the MPA Career Team: Balance confidence and humility!
- You want to come across as knowledgeable with a valuable skillset while recognizing there is opportunity to learn from others. Demonstrate how you’ll be able to accomplish the duties of the job no matter if you meet the qualifications or not.
Options
If appliable, share what other offers you have. You may be able to utilize other offers for movement and/or increased pay.
- NOTE from the MPA Career Team: Sharing about offers shows you’re a desirable candidate but do not force something that is out of their control.
- The goal is to provide an update and see if the other organization can also make a move.
Don’t stop interviewing even if you felt good about an interview, as you are not guaranteed an offer.
- NOTE from the MPA Career Team: Do stop interviewing if you’ve accepted an offer. Inform organizations for which you are in the interview process of your acceptance of another offer.
Do an annual job health check
- Do not search when it is too late (aka., you are already burnt out)
Value
Consider your value to an employer (aka., the impact you can make). Talk about your job or the job you are applying to in a way the employer cares about. Show the return on investment they can expect.
Emotions and/or Engage
Emotions: Talk objectively
While the reasons for needing a job and pay can be elicit many emotions, talk objectively about the work you have done and can produce.
Engage: Connections, community, and relationships make a difference
Focus on making long term relationships. Find your champions that will…
- Share about open roles
- Serve as a reference
- Support your process
Source: NACE webinar 2025 – Women and Salary Negotiation
Negotiation Tips & Data Resources
Saraly Negotiation and Data Resources
Negotiation Tips:
Boston College Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Career Services Joseph Du Pont offers 10 tips and insights he regularly gives students:
- Be poised and professional. This may seem like a no brainer, but if a supervisor is going to make a case that you deserve more benefits, she’ll want to know you would be someone good to work with. You can ask for a lot of things, but you never want to seem petty, condescending, or ungrateful. It’s always good to get a sense of how you might be perceived by employers. Get the perspective of others. Practice your negotiating skills with friends and career center staff, who can help you articulate your needs in a positive way.
- Evidence is your ally: be prepared. Your success at negotiating a job offer depends less on what goes on at the negotiating table than what you know before you enter the room, experts say. You should have a solid understanding of the standard salary (or salary range), benefits, and perks offered by similar companies in similar industries. You should also be aware of the top challenges the company is facing—and how you can help solve some of its problems.
- Aim for the top—within reason. The old saying “If you don’t ask, you don’t get” holds true in salary negotiations. At the same time, you need to know what is reasonable to ask for—or you could make your potential employer quickly reconsider how they think about you. Do your research so you can focus on objective criteria when you negotiate. That way, a supervisor understands why you are asking for certain things. You need to know this basic information so your potential employer understands you are making reasonable requests.
- Understand an employer’s limitations. The company may think your requests are reasonable and worthwhile, but still may not be able to accommodate you. Employers have real limitations too. If, for example, they have a large recruiting class, they may not want to provide you with benefits others don’t receive. Knowing why an employer can’t meet your request gives you more context and helps you make informed decisions.
- Negotiate short term while thinking long term. Understanding yourself, how you fit in the company culture, how much you can learn from your supervisor, and whether the job can position you for future success are equally as important as money at the outset of your career. As you research the field you are about to enter, you should be thinking about how this position is going to prepare you for short-term and long-term success.
- Consider the entire compensation package, not just salary. The most common mistake students make is accepting a job offer based solely on compensation without considering significant factors such as relocation expenses, merit bonuses, stock options, health insurance, retirement plans, flex time, vacation, conference travel, professional development expenses, the length of your commute, and a company’s policies on telecommuting. Know what is important to you.
- Prioritize. In a negotiation, almost no one gets everything they want. Think carefully about what is a “must have” and what is a “nice to have” before you get to the negotiating table. It’s essential that you be prepared to compromise, so focus on those things that are critical to you.
- Be prepared to walk away. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of receiving an offer, but this can color our judgment at times. Take a deep breath before accepting. Most employers will give you at least a few days to consider an offer. If yours doesn’t feel right and the employer isn’t willing or able to give you the types of compensation you really think you need, you may have to decline. Other opportunities will follow.
- Make sure you have plans B, C, and D. An unsigned offer can fall apart at the last minute if you can’t agree on the essential terms and conditions of your employment. Don’t stop pursuing other opportunities—or, worse, withdraw job applications—until the offer is final. Chances are good that things will work out. But you should be prepared if they don’t.
- Reflect on the outcome. Today’s students will have more jobs in their lifetimes than any previous generation so it is critical to hone one’s negotiation skills for long-term career success. Regardless of the outcome, it is important to reflect on the process, what worked well, and how you can improve for next time. Negotiating is a learned, coachable behavior and a lifelong skill. We all get better with practice.
Source: Joseph Du Pont is associate vice president for student affairs/career services at Boston College. Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
Salary Data Resources:
International Careers: APSIA International Career Guide
Want to Develop Your Negotiation Skills Using AI
Want to use AI to develop your negotiation skills? Check out AI in Career Development for an outline on use. After reviewing, you can consider this prompt from Paul Carney.