Negotiate the salary and package on a job offer

Use this guide when you have received a job offer, verbally or in writing, and want to ask for better pay or terms before accepting. Have the offer details, the job advert and your notes from the interviews ready. It works for most employed roles in the private, public and charity sectors, though some public sector pay is fixed to set scales.

Step by step

1. Thank them and ask for the details in writing

   Do not accept or negotiate on the spot. Reply warmly and ask for time and the full details: 'Thank you, I am really pleased to receive the offer. Could you send the full details in writing, including salary, pension, holiday, working pattern and start date? I will come back to you by [day].' Two to three working days is a reasonable time to ask for. This keeps the tone positive and gives you everything you need to negotiate on the full package, not just the salary.