One of the questions asked most often when it comes to interviewing and negotiating isn’t how to negotiate or how to determine your worth – it’s how to make the right counter-offer. It’s rare that any negotiation expert would tell you to accept a first offer, but how do you know what to counter with that won’t totally turn off the hiring manager?
I asked this question of a number of hiring managers and HR executives over the last few years, and here’s the unanimous answer:
- If you are a recruited candidate (meaning the company reached out to you, found you through a referral, etc.), a reasonable counter-offer is 15-20% higher than the initial offer.
- If you are an un-recruited candidate (you applied without solicitation online or by sending a resume, etc.), a reasonable counter-offer is 10-15% higher than the initial offer.
It’s all about the percentage! With these ideas, use your best judgment. Nothing is set in stone, but these guidelines will help.
About the Author: Marcy Twete
Marcy Twete is the Founder and CEO of Career Girl Network and the author of the book “You Know Everybody! A Career Girl’s Guide to Building a Network That Works.” At Career Girl Network, Marcy provides women with information, resources, and networking to empower them in their careers and to advance the work of women in business as a whole. Prior to launching Career Girl Network, Marcy worked in numerous nonprofit organizations and as a consultant in the field of nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and community relations. Marcy is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and a native of rural North Dakota. She is the Vice Chair of the Chicago Board of Directors for Step Up Women’s Network in Chicago and a member of the Advisory Board for Girls on the Run Twin Cities, and is dedicated to advancing the work of organizations that move the needle for women and girls worldwide.
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