5 salary negotiation email templates: counter-offer, joining bonus when pay is fixed, competing offer, accepting, and a salary hike request.
Worth It: The Salary Negotiation Guide for Women by Bhumika AT — Scripts, 10 email templates and worksheets for your first offer, your next one and every raise in between. View on Amazon Kindle · Amazon.com · Amazon.co.uk · Amazon.de
Negotiating by email is normal, and for many people it is easier than a call: you can choose your words, keep a written record, and avoid being rushed into a yes. The best salary negotiation emails are short — thanks, one clear ask, one reason and a warm close. Below are 5 templates you can copy and adapt: a counter-offer, asking for a joining bonus when the salary is fixed, matching a competing offer, accepting a revised offer, and asking your current employer for a salary hike.
One ask, then stop: Do not stack five requests in one email or apologise for asking. A single, calm ask with a reason is the most likely to succeed.
Counter-offer email:
Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title] Hi [Name], Thank you for the offer — I'm excited about joining [Company] and working with [team]. Before I accept, I hope it's OK to raise one point. Based on what similar roles pay in [city] and my experience in [skill], I was hoping for a fixed salary of ₹[amount]. Is there flexibility to move closer to that? I'm keen to make this work, and happy to discuss on a call. Best regards, [Your name]
If the base pay cannot move — common for fresher batches — ask for something that can.
Joining bonus or early review:
Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title] Hi [Name], Thank you for explaining that the base salary is fixed for this level. I understand, and I'm still very keen to join. Would it be possible to include a joining bonus of ₹[amount], or a salary review after six months based on my performance? Thank you for considering it. Best regards, [Your name]
Only use this if the other offer is real, and keep it plain.
Matching a competing offer:
Subject: Re: Offer for [Job title] Hi [Name], Thank you for the offer. [Company] is my first choice. I have received another offer with a fixed salary of ₹[amount]. Would you be able to match it? If so, I'm ready to accept. Best regards, [Your name]
Accepting, and asking for it in writing:
Subject: Re: Revised offer for [Job title] Hi [Name], Thank you for working with me on this. I'm happy to accept the revised offer of ₹[amount], with [joining bonus / review date]. Could you please send the updated offer letter with these details? I'll confirm my joining date as soon as I receive it. Best regards, [Your name]
Do not resign from your current job until you have the revised letter. A verbal or email promise is not an offer letter.
A raise request works best when it is tied to results and timed before budgets are set — often ahead of the yearly review.
Salary hike request:
Subject: Request to discuss my compensation Hi [Manager's name], Thank you for your support this year. I'd like to request a short meeting to discuss my compensation before the review cycle. Over the past [period], I have [result 1, with a number] and [result 2]. I have also taken on [new responsibility]. Based on this and on market pay for similar roles, I'd like to discuss a revision of my salary to ₹[amount]. Would [day] or [day] work for a 20-minute conversation? Best regards, [Your name]
Stay friendly and move to another part of the package.
Reply:
"Thank you for checking. I understand the salary is at its limit. Could we look at a joining bonus, extra leave or an earlier salary review instead?"
In the book: Worth It includes 10 ready-to-use email templates, a step-by-step negotiation timeline and calm replies to "That's the top of our range" and "We don't have the budget".
Ten email templates, the full script library and an offer checklist. See the book: Worth It
Yes. Email is normal and gives you time to choose your words. Many people make the ask by email and settle details on a call.
Thank them, make one clear ask with a number, give one reason, show you want to make it work, and keep it under 150 words.
If the salary is fixed, thank them for explaining, then ask: "Would it be possible to include a joining bonus of ₹X, or a salary review after six months?"
Ask for a meeting, list one or two results with numbers, mention any new responsibility, name the revised salary you want and suggest two times to talk.
After two working days, with a short and polite follow-up.
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