Never do these 2 things after getting a lowball salary offer, says career expert—a ‘perfect example’ of how to respond

So you’ve found a job you’re really interested in, completed the interview process, and received a call back with an offer. The bad news? That is a low salary.

I’ve seen this happen to a lot of job seekers, and unfortunately I can tell you that a low salary doesn’t necessarily mean a cause of job loss.

In fact, how you respond can make all the difference.

Let’s use Tyler’s situation as an example. Tyler just interviewed for a marketing assistant position at a technology company in New York City, and was offered a starting salary of $50,000.

Unfortunately, he was expecting a range between $60,000 and $70,000, which is fair based on his experience and market value.

Before Tyler responds, he’ll remember two things that will ruin his chances of achieving a successful outcome:

1. Be personal. Employers may offer low salaries for a number of reasons – perhaps they have a tight hiring budget or they are leaving some vacancies because they expect you to negotiate. It does not always involve individual people.

(I’ve seen people end up getting the salary they wanted, but start working resenting their employer for giving them a low salary in the first place. This kind of thinking won’t pay off. After all, if the company chose you as their top candidate and worked hard to meet your requirements, it means they see value and believe in you.)

2. React with anger, frustration or frustration. Stay calm and use this time to gather your thoughts, make important decisions, and prepare a firm response.

You always want to maintain a good relationship, no matter what. Bringing in your negative feelings will only hinder your professionalism and can burn bridges. When you respond with grace and sincerity, you’ll appear more likeable and workable — that’s what employers want in employees!

Job offers have an expiration date and many employers may ask for 48 to 72 hours, which is reasonable. Some may be generous and give you a week to rethink.

However, since Tyler had decided that the offer was too low for him to accept, he didn’t want to waste any time. The quicker he acts, the sooner he can move forward with his job search if things don’t go well.

It can feel a lot easier to explain why you’re unhappy with an email offer, but I always recommend picking up the phone.

Why? You want them to hear sincerity and professionalism through your voice. Also, money-related conversations are sensitive, and doing it over the phone can help avoid any miscommunication.

The first step is to say thank you. Maintain a respectful tone and tell the hiring manager how much you appreciate them taking the time to interview you.

However, make it clear that the salary they offer is too low for you to accept – that you know your worth and are willing to accept it. This is important.

Here’s a perfect example of how Tyler should respond:

“First of all, thank you very much for extending your offer and for taking the time to consider me. I am truly honored that you have chosen me. I admire what your company is doing and I I truly believe that I am well suited for this position.

That’s why this call is so hard to make, because $50,000 is not in my desired salary range of $60,000 to $70,000. I understand that you may be working on a tight budget. But I know that I can go further in this role because [X, Y, Z].

I don’t want to waste your time. If you can work with me to get within my scope, I’d love to continue this conversation. But given my extensive experience and the fact that my market value is much higher than $50,000, I cannot accept this offer. “

In my experience helping clients land a job, there are three possible outcomes of making this call, and Tyler should be mentally prepared for all of them.

Result #1: After spending a day or two discussing the situation with the rest of the team, the hiring manager told Tyler they couldn’t come up with anything higher than $50,000.

Tyler thanked them a second time: “Again, I appreciate you taking the time to interview me. If anything changes please let me know. If not, stay in touch and I hope. you will keep me in mind for future opportunities!”

This is a bitter pill to swallow, because now Tyler is back to hunting. But he can go on with optimism because the fact that he got an offer means he’s on the right track.

Result #2: The hiring manager told Tyler they would need some time to rethink things, but they didn’t tell him exactly when he would get a response.

A few days passed, and after reviewing other applicants for the job, the company realized that Tyler was the best person for the job. They really wanted him on board, so they came back with an offer that was within his range.

Tyler may decide to accept the offer. Or, by then he’s found a job with a salary he’s happy with. If he refuses, he will do so with the same professionalism as the first call.

Result #3: The recruiter prepared Tyler to ask for more, so they started the negotiation process.

Tyler needs to have some exact numbers in mind. He decided that $59,000 was his walking rate (he also calculated that it was the minimum he would need to pay his bills and live comfortably in the city).

Also, he’s prepared to give the exact figure of what he wants, because this is what recruiters often ask to get straight to the point. And since that number — $69,000 — was significantly higher than the company’s original offer, Tyler knew he’d need to get creative with other compensation or perks to close the gap.

It could be a signing bonus, the right to use a company car, more vacation days, or a flexible work arrangement.

Remember, if a company is willing to change and go beyond their original offer, it means they believe you will add value. So instead of having a “me vs. them” mentality, work together as a team. That’s the best way to come to an agreement that both parties will be satisfied with.

JT O’Donnell is the founder and CEO of Working everyday, an online platform dedicated to helping people solve the biggest problems of their careers. She has over 15 years of experience in recruiting, hiring and career coaching. For career tips, follow her on TikTok @jtodonnell.

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