How to present Counter Offers

SAP
j67

Go to company page SAP

j67
Aug 28, 2021 11 Comments

Hi Blind Community,

I have 3 verbal offers but I'm not sure how to approach HR with a counter offer. I asked for written confirmation from each of the companies but all 3 of them told me that they will be able to give me a written offer only if I accept their offer. Can I simply select the highest offer and email the HR(the company I'm most interested to join) to match that offer? I'm trying to figure out the general norm.

Thank you in advance :)

Current TC - 109K
PS - This is my first time negotiating. In the past, I simply accepted the offer and then realized I was being paid literally peanuts.

#counteroffer

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TOP 11 Comments
  • Atlassian / Eng
    VodkaPasta

    Go to company page Atlassian Eng

    VodkaPasta
    Simply tell the HR that. I usually don’t tell the other number or company name unless they ask for it.

    Hi HR person,
    Blabla
    I have other offers that are slightly better but I really would like to work for XXX company as I feel that it’s the best fit for me both challenging blabla and cultural blabla. But to have an easy choice, could you push the numbers up a bit to match other offer I get? I am thinking XXX base, YYY bonus, ZZZ RSU. What do you think?

    Best,
    xyz
    Aug 28, 2021 1
  • Amazon / Eng
    DEXSucks

    Go to company page Amazon Eng

    DEXSucks
    I don’t think I’m that experienced but I’ll offer my opinion. Generally I you can go for a more direct and transparent approach:

    1. You clearly indicate that the offer is below your expectation and you are open to negotiate as you are interested in the position.
    2. You offer the reason why you think it’s below your expectation. Here you can quote market research (levels.fyi) or that it is below your current compensation by X. Some will lie about X because legally companies cannot ask you to show other offer or current compensation. Finally, as you have already guessed, you can just say you have offer from another place and it’s X.
    3. Offer to explain why you think you deserve this by saying how your experience matches what the company is looking for or how you fit the team and what you can bring to the table.
    Aug 28, 2021 4
    • SAP
      j67

      Go to company page SAP

      j67
      OP
      Also, in your openion, do you think it's important to divulge the company name of your counter offer?
      Aug 28, 2021
    • Amazon / Eng
      DEXSucks

      Go to company page Amazon Eng

      DEXSucks
      Usually you have NDA … but to show sincerity you can. I have never seen people care and Google actually ask u to show it even tho it’s not legal to do so :) all other companies that I know do now ask you to show it but appreciate it if you have a number. From a company’s perspective they need to know if they can afford you and if you have growth into their future compensation band.
      Aug 28, 2021
  • Shell
    Szkd56

    Go to company page Shell

    Szkd56
    I’d take a more confident approach:

    “I appreciate you getting the numbers to me. Currently I have an offer of X from Company Y that I am looking to match or do better than. Based on my research bumping this package up to A base, B stocks, C sign on bonus will get me there and should be doable for this level. Doesn’t really matter what combination of those gets me there, as long as I’m there. Please see what you can do. Provided we can get there, I’ll tell Company Y I’m not interested immediately and accept the offer. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there are any issues and I’d be glad to discuss further.”
    Aug 28, 2021 0
  • Apple
    aaaaaple

    Go to company page Apple

    aaaaaple
    Recruiters I’ve talked to never ask to see the letter, they just ask for the numbers in the offer.
    Aug 28, 2021 2