An offer is the moment you have the most influence: they have chosen you, told the other candidates, and want to close. A polite, specific request at this point is normal and is rarely withdrawn. A demanding one, or one sent three times, is remembered. Negotiation here means one message and one reply.
- The step within the grade: “Given my five years, could the post start at step 3 rather than step 1?” The most common and most successful request at NGOs.
- The start date, if you owe your current employer a notice period.
- A transport or housing allowance, especially if you are relocating to another city.
- Phone credit, a laptop, or a training place in the first year.
- Usually not negotiable: the grade itself, or a salary above the top of the scale. Donors approve budgets by grade.
- A different job title from the one advertised.
- Terms fixed by policy for everyone: leave days, probation length, insurance.
- 1Thank them and ask for the written offer. Do not say yes or no on the phone, however happy or disappointed you are.
- 2Read it against your research. Choose one or two things to ask for, not five.
- 3Send one message within two working days: thanks, your enthusiasm, your request with a reason, and that you will accept if it can be met.
- 4Accept their reply with grace, whichever way it goes. If the answer is no and the offer is still above your lowest number, accept. If it is below, decline politely and keep the door open.
Dear Ms Faadumo,
Thank you for the offer of the Finance Officer post; I am very pleased and keen to join the team in Garowe.
I have one request. The offer is at Grade 6, step 1. Given my five years of donor reporting experience, would it be possible to start at step 3? If that can be arranged, I am ready to accept and to start on 1 November as proposed.
Thank you for considering this.
Kind regards,
Khadar Cali