What’s your salary expectation? Finally, the interview question we want to hear. It’s the one we have been waiting for. Truth be told—when checking out job posts, the salary range is usually the first thing we look for. With prices going up everywhere, it only makes sense to make sure our pay can keep up.
According to a 2022 article by the World Economic Forum, the “Adecco Group’s Global Workforce of the Future” Report found that better pay was the top reason people wanted to switch jobs within a year. Interestingly, salary also ranked 6th among the reasons employees choose to stay with their current company.
In the Philippines, compensation and perks play a big role in deciding whether to accept a job offer. A 2024 survey by global professional services firm “Aon” discovered that out of 263 Filipino respondents, 66% said they prioritize things like above-average pay and meaningful benefits when considering a new job role.
Consequently, many aspiring job seekers are preparing to negotiate their prospective salary, especially when they are close to successfully getting the job offer.
Can you negotiate the job offer's salary?
A big yes! Nearly 90% of respondents from 324 companies stated they are open to salary negotiations, according to the 2021 Brightmine™ HR & Compliance Centre’s Recruiting and Hiring Survey.
Marta Turba, an expert on total rewards strategy and vice president of content at WorldatWork, the association for total rewards professionals, stated that salary had traditionally been viewed as more flexible because it was commonly accepted that pay was influenced by a variety of factors, including the organization’s compensation philosophy, as well as a candidate’s experience level and expectations.
Salary negotiations can feel intimidating, but there’s nothing wrong with speaking up for better pay. Especially when your skill set and experience evidently go above and beyond the initial offer or industry standards.
How to Negotiate a Salary Job Offer?
Here is your guide to dealing with this crucial step of the hiring process:
- Review the contract. Before jumping into salary negotiations, make sure to read the entire contract, especially the section on compensation and benefits. Does it cover bonuses, HMO, paid leaves, flexible hours— and not just focusing on the base pay? Ask yourself: Do I really need to negotiate? Did the salary range you were aiming for meet during the hiring process?
- Assess your financial status and career journey. Starting from your location to the bills you pay, will the salary subsidize your current lifestyle and situation?
- Also, remember that your professional background plays a big role when it comes to salary negotiations. Ask yourself—do your years of experience, career level, job title, education, and skills match the salary you’re asking for? And what value can you bring to the company if they decide to agree with you and bump up their offer? Being clear on these points can really strengthen your case for the salary you want.
- Above all, you should research the current salary grade for the job position you are applying for to further support your negotiation.
- Know the best counteroffer range. When you understand the right counteroffer range, you can enhance your ability to negotiate and boost your chances of securing your desired salary. To do that, the salary coach website, Fearless Salary Negotiation, advises that “a good range for a counteroffer is between 10% and 20% above the initial offer.” In a similar vein, the website Michael Page explains these percentages, stating that “your minimum should be a figure you’re comfortable accepting, while your maximum should align with the upper market rate for your level of experience.”
- For example, if a company offered you a junior position as a Writer with an initial offer of 30,000 pesos, a good counteroffer range, as advised, would be between PHP 33,000 and PHP 36,000. Your minimum counteroffer should be a salary you will be happy with, while the top end should reflect what other junior writers with similar experience are earning in the Philippine labor market.
- Draft the email or your talking points. Once you are done assessing yourself, the next step is to draft an email or your talking points if you wish to discuss your salary negotiation face to face. Before you hit send, make sure to thank them for the job offer first—then let them know of your intention to negotiate the salary. On the employer’s side, negotiations will occur if they see a good fit for the job. Hence, it will set you on the right foot if you send your gratitude towards them through email or messages. Remember to be polite and professional.
Here is the sample email for salary negotiation:
Subject: Offer for [Job Title] – [Your Name]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name/ or the name of the HR or whoever may be your contact to the company]:
I was so pleased to receive your offer for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]! I’m genuinely excited about the possibility of joining the team and contributing to [Company’s Mission or a Specific Project] – it really feels like a great fit.
As I’ve been reviewing the offer, I wanted to open up a conversation about the salary. Of course, the role is a big motivator, but I also need to make sure the compensation aligns with my experience and the market. From my research on sites like [Source 1, e.g., Glassdoor] and [Source 2, e.g., Salary.com], it seems that the typical salary range for someone with my background in [Job Role] is generally [Salary Range].
I bring [Number] years of experience in [Relevant Field] to the table, with a strong focus on [Specific Skill 1] and [Specific Skill 2]. I’ve also consistently delivered results, like [Quantifiable Achievement 1] and [Quantifiable Achievement 2], which I believe would be a real asset to your team. Considering this, I was thinking a salary in the range of [Your Desired Salary Range] would be a better reflection of my value and what’s typical for this kind of role.
I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to bring my skills to [Company Name], and I’m happy to discuss more about how my experience can contribute to your team’s success. I’m also open to discussing the overall compensation package to find an arrangement that works well for both of us.
Thanks again for your time and consideration. I’m looking forward to our next conversation!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Practice makes perfect. Before hitting the send button, make sure your grammar, spelling, and information are correct. You can ask your friend or someone you trust to review your email before sending it. Moreover, you should also prepare to answer the company’s questions related to your salary offer concerns. Some of the examples are
- Are there any non-salary benefits or perks that would make this offer more attractive to you, even if the salary remains at the current level?
- How does this offer compare to other opportunities you are currently considering?
- Have you received any feedback from other companies regarding your salary expectations during your job search?
- What are your long-term career goals within our company, and how does this initial salary fit into that trajectory?
Know your worth. After a thorough round of negotiation, the big question is—how do you accept the job offer if salary talks don’t go your way? If the company holds firm on their offer, even after you’ve clearly explained why you deserve more, don’t be afraid to walk away—unless you truly need the job right now. You have worked hard to build your experience and skills over the years and earned your worth. You deserve compensation that reflects your value, covers your living expenses, and supports a stable life for you and your family. Don’t settle for less. Knowing your value and standing by it can lead you to opportunities that genuinely recognize and reward what you bring to the table.
Negotiating salary offers is about knowing what you can bring to the table. Your skills and hard work matter—you deserve to be in a place that recognizes and pays you what you’re truly worth.
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