How Can I Negotiate a Counter Offer?

How much leeway do you have when you have received a counter offer? When should you stop negotiating and accept or reject a salary offer?

Answer: There isn't a simply answer, but employers aren’t thrilled with candidates who go back and forth over salary offers multiple times. If it’s not what you expect you can ask if there is any more flexibility in the starting (or future) salary or you could turn it down, realizing that there may not be another counter offer. Also, there may be a set salary range for the position and there may not be much room for further negotiations.

Given the competitiveness of the job market, the high unemployment rate, and the number of qualified candidates for open positions, be careful about over-negotiating. Research your value, research the job and the company, and if you’re comfortable with the offer, I wouldn’t push too hard to get a little more, just because you might be able to.