Waiting for an Offer Letter: How to Handle Salary Negotiations and Next Steps

Hi, I was informed three days ago by the recruiting team of one of the MNCs that I have been selected, but I have not yet received the offer letter. When I called them, they mentioned it's a salary issue. However, I believe the salary I requested is standard for that MNC. I also mentioned that I have another offer in hand that offers more than what I am requesting from them. Still, due to the company's domain, I prefer to join them.

Initially, the recruiter indicated that the other company is good because they offer more. However, after expressing my interest in their company, he mentioned he would respond by tomorrow. Now, I anticipate receiving less than what I asked for, and if they do not respond, I am unsure how to proceed. Despite my interest in joining this company, I may have to accept a lower salary than I requested.

Negotiation and Next Steps

1. How should I negotiate if they offer a lower salary?
2. What should be my next step if they do not follow up?

Thanks in advance

Dear Sonali_Kulkarni,

Welcome to CiteHR.com!

The talk about the other company giving more salary—is it a fact or a bluff? With respect to the two situations cited by you:

Situation #1: It is difficult to have the cake and eat it too! You will have to make a decision on this—accept a lower salary or otherwise, as there is hardly any room for negotiation at this stage.

Situation #2: Reach out to them via phone call or email, expressing your strong interest regardless of the salary matter.

Warm regards.

Thank you, Raj. I called him, but he did not pick up the call. So, is it a no from their side, or is it because it's Saturday, and I should wait for them?

One More Question: I have already signed one form after clearing interviews and am waiting for the offer letter. Could it be the case that they will not call me up even after saying that they will let me know how much they can offer?

Regards

Dear Sonali, Based on my experience in HR, there are always instances of a slip between the cup and the lip. Management may change the strategy or direct HR to hold the selection process for specific reasons.

Wait for a few days for their response; otherwise, consider the other offer that is in your hands. Accepting a very low salary is not advisable, as the recruiter may interpret it as your desperation for the job or assume that there are some drawbacks in you, which is why you are compromising on the salary part.

Regards,
BHAVAN

Hi Bhavan, thanks for your reply. I have heard from one of my friends that it could be possible that they will not offer you the job because it has been a week since the interview, indicating they may be considering other candidates. She mentioned that sometimes companies overstate their hiring needs, such as asking for 20 candidates when they only need 10. Then, without informing all candidates, they select from the pool of 20 based on what suits them best.

Can HR Really Be So Harsh?

Can HR really be so harsh as to not inform me if they are not offering the job and just leave it at that? This is my first experience dealing with HR outside of my current company, so I am feeling confused. Any advice from you would help me understand how HR professionals typically think.

Regards,

Yes, it may sound disappointing to you, and others may feel bad, but the fact remains that in reality, there is much to be desired from the existing practice of HRM. Candidates "not selected" are never given feedback or informed. It is also customary to inflate requirements to generate more interest from consultants, and then positions are supposedly put "on hold."

Also, unless there is an urgent requirement, it normally takes more than a fortnight to finalize things. So you need not lose hope at this point in time. Do keep pursuing the matter with the concerned HR of the company.

Warm regards.

Exactly! At least they should acknowledge that it's more aligned with what I am asking for, even if they cannot offer it to me right away, so that I can also be more flexible. However, when they say they will get back to me, it gives the impression that they are still considering it. It doesn't seem quite right, does it? It feels like trying to solve a puzzle in a way.

But the thing is that I don't want to lose this opportunity of joining this MNC. Also, if I call them again, it means I am ready to join at the package they are offering, so my negotiation chances will be less. In case I don't call them, they may hire someone else, and I could be losing my ticket there. What should be the best way to proceed?

Regards,

Dear Sonali, I understand your keenness to secure this offer. However, if the employer is not showing interest, there isn't much you can do. Repeated calls to HR are not advisable, as I mentioned earlier. It shows desperation, which can be viewed as a weakness from a negotiating point of view. It would be best to move on from this MNC and explore other suitable openings.

Regards, BHAVAN

Dear Sonali,

As I wrote earlier:

"Situation #2: Call them up or send an email indicating your keen interest, irrespective of the salary issue."

Otherwise, start looking for other opportunities afresh because there is nothing much you can do under the circumstances.

Warm regards.

Hey Bhavan,

I really want to ask one question: What if the company is good, and I am ready for negotiation since the company is in my native place (they are aware of this), but I don't want to come across as pushy? I am looking to engage in a little negotiation. What should be my approach to slightly steer things in my favor? Your suggestions would be helpful, as this is my first opportunity to negotiate. At the same time, they might also be exploring other options.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you.

Dear Ma'am, I am unable to understand how you'll initiate the negotiation when the company has not reverted to you so far. To be fair to you, I understand your desperation in joining a company that is:

- good;
- in your native place;
- and you are very keen to join.

But then, what will you do if the company is not reverting back to you? That is why I suggested, "Call them up or send mail, indicating your keen interest, irrespective of the salary issue."

Please initiate the discussion or negotiation (if you are happy with the term "negotiation") when you are so keen to join, and the company, under the circumstances, is not communicating with you. I understand your feelings of hope, confusion, and desperation.

Your response indicates that you are confused about what to do next:

"I'm ready for negotiation as that company is in my native place (they also know that), but I don't want to sound like one, I want to go for a little negotiation. What should be my move to take the ball a little in my court? Your suggestion will be helpful as this is my first chance to go for negotiation. At the same time, it may be that they have started looking for other options as well."

But instead of repeatedly seeking suggestions (which itself indicates your feeling of desperation, as rightly pointed out by BHAVAN in his post), you should initiate the matter if there has been no response from the company. Hope you now understand better the options left with you.

Warm regards.

I have bad news and good news for you. The bad news is, it's over. Please stop thinking about the offer made to you and the negotiations you attempted. It doesn't work like that. A company would pay you more than offered only when you are in a position to generate an exceptional amount of revenue for the company, or once in the job, you deliver on priority projects. There is no other way any company would agree to such negotiations. For example, if you are being hired as an HR generalist and you hold a Six Sigma certification, you may negotiate, but the company will agree to pay more only when they require Six Sigma implementation. Otherwise, it would be rejected.

Please take this as a learning experience and try for a new job. Requesting competitive pay to remain motivated in the job is different from showing off other existing offers to any prospective employer. You are least likely to be considered for this role unless there is no one else to join the role and they badly need someone to work. They are least likely to come back to you.

The good news is, this has made you wiser and better. Please take this as a learning experience. In the future, while discussing salary, please make sure you quote the market standard. Please avoid negotiations at any cost. Staying humble and genuinely requesting a greater pay to support a career within the organization will require a lot of wisdom and maturity. If you honestly need more money than offered, please show how the benefits you bring to the company would profit them. Though most of the time, this is the last straw used for rejection. Recruiters use this trick to check the level of motivation in the candidate to take the offer. They are correct, as it screens the truly interested candidates from those who are merely running the race to increase their salaries.

We need money for survival, but contrary to the common practice of choosing a job with higher pay, please look for the one that offers more exposure. At the point of role discussion, look for the in-house trainings or certifications offered in the job. In the long run, the candidate with higher pay would be the first one to leave the organization during economic cycles. Moreover, every employer prefers to hire talent with more to offer, yet at a lower pay scale. Please aim for that to ensure you remain employable.

Regards,
(Cite Contribution)