How to Negotiate a Salary Without Losing the Job Offer

Meet Kevin: The Job Offer That Almost Slipped Away

Kevin had just nailed his interviews for a Project Manager role at a top company. The hiring manager called him with good news:

📢 “We’d love to offer you the position! Your starting salary will be Ksh 80,000 per month.”

Kevin was excited—but there was a problem. He was expecting at least Ksh 100,000.

💭 Should I negotiate? What if they withdraw the offer?

This fear is why so many job seekers accept lower salaries than they deserve. But the truth is: you CAN negotiate—if you do it the right way.

Why You Should Always Negotiate Your Salary

🔹 80% of employers expect candidates to negotiate.
🔹 People who negotiate earn up to Ksh 1M+ more over their career than those who don’t.
🔹 Employers rarely withdraw offers just because you ask for more—as long as you negotiate professionally.

If Kevin had accepted the first offer without negotiating, he would’ve lost out on Ksh 240,000 per year!

Now, let’s break down how to negotiate smartly—without risking the job offer.

Step 1: Know Your Worth Before the Interview

Before even getting to the salary talk, you should already know what you’re worth.

• Research the market rate for your job title in your industry and location.
• Check salary ranges on platforms like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or job boards.
•  Factor in your experience, skills, and qualifications—the more valuable you are, the more leverage you have.

💡 How We Can Help: At Nadi Home Services, we don’t just help you find jobs—we prepare you for success. Our career coaching services teach you how to research salaries, negotiate effectively, and position yourself for higher pay.

Step 2: Let Them Reveal the Offer First

During the interview, you might hear:

🔹 “What salary do you expect?”
🔹 “How much were you earning before?”

Here’s how to handle it:

🚫 Don’t give a number too early. If you name a salary first, you might undervalue yourself or go too high.

✓ Instead, flip the question back:

💬 “I’d love to understand more about the role’s responsibilities first. What range did you have in mind for this position?”

This way, you let them reveal their budget first.

💡 Did you know? In our career coaching sessions, we teach job seekers how to answer tricky interview questionslike this and stay in control of salary discussions.

Step 3: Respond to the Offer with Confidence

Once Kevin received the Ksh 80,000 offer, here’s what he did instead of just accepting it:

💡 He thanked them and asked for time to review it:

💬 “I appreciate the offer and the opportunity to join your team. I’d love to take a day to review the details and get back to you.”

🚀 Why this works:
✓ Shows professionalism.
✓ Gives you time to prepare a counteroffer.
✓ Puts you in control of the negotiation.

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Step 4: Make Your Counteroffer (Without Sounding Greedy)

The next day, Kevin emailed the hiring manager:

📩 “Thank you for the offer. I’m really excited about this role and the opportunity to contribute to your team. Given my experience in project management, leadership skills, and the market rates for similar roles, I was expecting a salary in the range of Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 110,000. Is there room to adjust the offer?”

🚀 Why this works:
✓ Starts with appreciation.
✓ Justifies the counteroffer using experience & market data.
✓ Keeps it open-ended by asking if there’s room to adjust.

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👉 Get a professionally written CV with Nadi Home Services

Step 5: Handle Their Response Like a Pro

The employer might respond in 3 ways:

✔️ They agree: “We can offer Ksh 100,000.” 🎉 You win!

🤝 They meet you halfway: “We can do Ksh 90,000.” 🚀 Still better than Ksh 80,000!

❌ They say no: “Sorry, Ksh 80,000 is our final offer.”

What should you do if they refuse?

👉 Negotiate perks instead:
If they can’t increase salary, ask for:
✓ Remote work flexibility
✓ Performance-based bonuses
✓ Extra leave days
✓ Training programs to boost career growth

👉 Decide if the offer is worth it:
If the company values you and has growth potential, it might still be worth accepting.

💡 At Nadi Home Services, we not only help you find jobs but also equip you with the skills to negotiate for better opportunities!

When Should You Walk Away from an Offer?

If the salary is too low and there’s no room for growth, it’s okay to keep searching.

🔴 Low salary with no negotiation? Look elsewhere.
🔴 Toxic work culture? Avoid at all costs.
🔴 No benefits or career growth? Keep applying.

🚀 Need more job opportunities?
👉 Find your next job on Nadi Home Services

Final Takeaway: Smart Negotiation Pays Off

Kevin negotiated the right way—and his salary was increased to Ksh 95,000!

🚀 Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Negotiate with confidence!

🌟 At Nadi Home Services, we don’t just connect you with jobs—we help you build your career with:
✓ Expert CV writing
✓ Job opportunities
✓ Career coaching to help you win higher salaries

💡 Ready to take your career to the next level?
👉 Get started with Nadi Home Services today!