Career Advice

Have a need to negotiate a job offer? Before reviewing this sample counter proposal letter, you should really read our article, Job Offer Too Low? Use These Key Salary Negotiation Techniques to Write a Counter Proposal Letter..

Lisa Lively
3428 Talamas Drive SE
Clemson, SC 29631
864-555-3483

Mr. Frank Ian
Director, Industrial Systems
General Electric Company
41 Woodford Avenue
Plainville, CT 06062

Dear Frank:

I am excited about the offer you extended on October 29, 2007, and look forward to accepting it. I feel confident I will make a significant contribution to the growth and profitability of General Electric's Industrial Systems division over the short and long term. The terms you have described in the offer are acceptable, with a few minor changes.

Base Salary: $55,000 per annum
The research I’ve done on comparable salaries and cost of living differences between Clemson and Plainville show that a base salary of $75,000 would be the market value of my experience for this position. The current offer of $55,000 would result in a dramatic reduction in living standard. Based on the above, I would like you to consider as a compromise a base salary of $65,000.

Bonus Opportunity: 3% of quarterly team results above stated quotas
Because I expect to have an immediate impact on both cost-savings and increased sales revenues, I would like to suggest increasing the bonus percentage 6% of results above quota.

Relocation Package: GE will compensate up to $10,000 for your reasonable costs incurred for relocation to Plainville, CT. Further, GE will provide temporary living assistance and reimburse for any commuting for up to 6 months from date of hire.
As far as relocation is concerned, I feel your relocation package is quite generous and I appreciate the company’s policy.

Stock Option Plan: developed and implemented after 1 year of service
If this policy is standard for all employees, I can accept it, but again, I am convinced that I will make an immediate impact on a key division of GE, and I would like to see the stock option plan developed in the first six months of employment.

Benefits Package: standard employee benefits package
In discussing the standard benefits package with Jim Cline in HR, I am quite pleased with the GE benefits package. I would only ask that the waiting period for these benefits be waived.

Start Date: December 3, 2007
I am actually available to start to telecommute as early as next week -- as soon as we agree on the final aspects of the offer.

If you could see to making these modest improvements to your offer, my performance will show you a handsome return. I am prepared to hit the ground running as part of the GE Industrial Systems team, and achieve the next "home run" for this division.

Sincerely,

 Lisa Lively
http://www.quintcareers.com/sample_counter_proposal_letter.html