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Can I tell recruiter a salary is too low?

If you can't reach an acceptable salary figure, and you don't feel that associated perks and benefits add enough value to the compensation package to balance the low earnings, respectfully decline the job. Thank you very much for the consideration, and the offer, but I'm afraid I'm unable to accept the salary.

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Some employers choose to not show their hand on salary matters until after they have decided you are the candidate of choice. This can put you in an awkward position of declining a position if you find out the salary is far below your minimum figure. While there’s usually room for negotiation if you decide to take a pass, do it quickly and professionally.

Think About It

Even if your first reaction to a salary offer is an adamant no, give yourself a few moments to think about it before making an absolute decline. It’s fine to express your surprise or disappointment in the offer, simply to give the hiring manager a heads-up that the salary is not in range with your expectations:

Example:

I’m sorry, that wasn’t quite the range I was anticipating. Is there any room for negotiation here?

If the answer is no, or still doesn’t meet your minimum requirements, you have a couple of choices:

Decline the job offer on the spot:

Example:

I’m sorry, as much as I would like to join the company, I'm afraid the salary is not where I need it to be.

Ask for time to think:

Example:

I’m afraid that’s lower than I anticipated. Could I have a few days to think it over?

Buying yourself a few days gives you an opportunity to do some research into current market salaries, which positions you to come back to the negotiating table armed with facts.

In reflecting on your offer, I did some research into the average salary for this type of position, and I’ve found that the starting wage is about 27-percent higher than the number you offered. Is there any potential for a more competitive offer?

Not only does the "think it over" phase buy you time, it also gives the company time to think about whether they are able and willing to find extra reserves to meet your request. If you are in a highly specialized field and feel the company is interested, you may have a shot at a bigger paycheck.

Respectfully Decline

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If you can’t reach an acceptable salary figure, and you don’t feel that associated perks and benefits add enough value to the compensation package to balance the low earnings, respectfully decline the job. Thank you very much for the consideration, and the offer, but I’m afraid I’m unable to accept the salary. If your pay structure changes and you still consider me a viable candidate, I’d love to revisit the opportunity in the future. You may find the company tries to entice you with better perks or benefits, or with promises of a higher-paying role in the future. You'll have to decide in advance of this final meeting if there are any offers you are willing to accept. Tip While you can apply the same verbiage to an email response, an in-person or phone discussion is more personal.

Leaving an Existing Job Because of Salary

So what if you are working in a job, but finding the salary just doesn't cover your needs? It's a bit trickier to respectfully back away from a job you are already engaged in, but if you are not able to make ends meet, it may be the best course of action. Approach this delicate situation professionally by requesting a private meeting with your supervisor.

Examples:

I'm afraid that when I accepted this job, I didn't take into consideration what my take-home pay would look like. I'm afraid that based on this salary, I'm putting myself in financial jeopardy, and as such, I'm going to have to resign and take a position that's higher-paying. I accepted this job because I knew it would be a unique opportunity with a lot of room for advancement, For whatever reason, I haven't been able to move into higher-paying roles, and in short, I simply can't afford to work here any longer. As much as I enjoy my job, I've been passed over for promotions twice and received only minimal pay increases. I can't make ends meet any longer, and so I respectfully offer my two-week notice.

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