Ask a Career Advisor: Can You Lose a Job Offer by Negotiating Salary?

Getting a job offer feels amazing, especially if your job search has been a long one or you can’t wait any longer to escape from a toxic workplace. Let’s say the terms of your offer look pretty good – the company culture is great, the hours are flexible, the benefits are comprehensive – but the salary you were offered is a bit lower than what you were expecting.

Should you negotiate a higher salary, or will that harm the relationship with your potential new employer by making you seem greedy or unappreciative?

If you’re tempted just to accept the first offer you receive, you’re not alone. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey of U.S. workers, 60% said they did not ask for higher pay the last time they were hired for a job. Of those that did, however, 28% said they were given the pay they asked for and 38% said they were given more than what was originally offered but less than what they asked for.

We reached out to Lori Cole, Certified Career Coach and Advisor at iHire, for salary negotiation tips that won’t derail your job search.

How to Negotiate Salary Without Losing a Job Offer

“First, understand that companies expect you to negotiate. If you’re respectful, realistic, and strategic when negotiating salary, there is little risk that you’ll lose the job offer entirely,” said Cole. “When considering how to negotiate a higher salary, keep these basics in mind: Be specific, be timely, and always come from a place of gratitude and excitement for the opportunity.”

Before you even begin applying for jobs, do your research to arrive at a salary range that aligns with your experience and what the market will bear. By coming to the table with data and not just a salary you “feel like” you deserve, you’ll be more successful in your negotiations. Plus, with a target salary in mind ahead of time, you’ll be able to quickly respond to offers and not waste anyone’s time in the hiring process.

“Another good reason to negotiate salary is that it gives you a chance to show off your negotiation skills, which are valuable in many types of positions. On the other hand, if the employer immediately scoffs at your attempt to negotiate a higher salary, that’s a red flag you should pay attention to,” Cole added. “Knowing when to decline an offer and walk away is equally important.”

Salary Negotiation Mistakes to Avoid

While employers are anticipating that you’ll negotiate salary, there are mistakes that could cost you.

“Be mindful of your tone. If you come across as entitled, demanding, or adversarial, the employer may reject your counteroffer, or worse, rescind their original offer and move on to someone else,” warned Cole. “Also, don’t ask for more than a few days to think things over. Hiring managers have to move quickly in this job market to secure the right talent, and they may not wait for you if their second choice is pretty solid.”

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Other salary negotiation mistakes that could cost you include:

• Asking for an unrealistic salary that shows you haven’t done your research
• Citing personal reasons for wanting more money
• Trying to make several counteroffers
• Not communicating your expectations clearly
• Ignoring other monetary aspects of the offer beyond salary like commissions, bonuses, travel expense reimbursement, matching retirement plans, etc.
• Not considering valuable lifestyle benefits like generous paid time off, remote work options, and flexible hours

So, can you lose a job offer by negotiating salary? Technically yes, though it’s highly unlikely if you do it right. One thing is for certain: You won’t get what you want if you don’t ask for it!

Explore our library for even more salary negotiation tips to earn what you’re worth, or sign up for our Salary Negotiation Masterclass!