Ready-to-use templates for every negotiation scenario — salary, equity, signing bonus, and more. Or let Clearoffer write your personalized counter-offer email in 60 seconds.
You received a job offer. You want to negotiate. But writing the actual email is hard — you want to be professional, specific, and not come across as demanding.
This page has ready-to-use counter offer letter templates for the most common scenarios. Copy, fill in the brackets, and send.
Key principle: A good counter offer email is short (under 300 words), specific (exact numbers and asks), and warm (you genuinely want the job). Don't negotiate everything at once — pick your top 2–3 items.
Template 1: Salary Negotiation Counter Offer
Use this when the salary is below market rate or below your target range.
COPY AND CUSTOMIZE
Subject: [Your Name] — Offer Letter for [Position]
Hi [Recruiter/Hiring Manager Name],
Thank you so much for the offer for the [Position] role at [Company]. I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity — the team, the mission, and the scope of the work all align well with what I'm looking for.
I've had a chance to review the offer carefully. I'm excited to move forward, and I'd like to discuss one aspect before we finalize:
On base salary: Based on my research into market rates for this role in [Location/Remote], and given [my X years of experience / the scope of responsibilities / the team I'd be leading], I was expecting something closer to $[Your Target]. Would the company be open to $[Your Ask]?
I'm committed to making this work and I want to be straightforward about where I'm coming from. I'm happy to discuss further on a call if that's easier.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
[Your Name]
Template 2: Multiple-Item Counter Offer
Use this when you want to negotiate salary + one or two other items (signing bonus, equity, start date).
COPY AND CUSTOMIZE
Subject: [Your Name] — Counter Offer for [Position] at [Company]
Hi [Name],
Thank you for the offer — I'm really excited about joining [Company] and the [Position] role specifically.
I've reviewed the offer thoroughly and I'd like to discuss a few points before we finalize:
1. Base salary: I was hoping we could get to $[Target Salary]. Based on my research, this is in line with the market rate for this role, and I'm confident it reflects the value I'll bring.
2. Signing bonus: I'd love to increase the signing bonus to $[Amount] to help offset [transition costs / the salary gap / relocation]. If the base isn't flexible, would there be more room here?
3. Non-compete / clawback: I noticed the non-compete has a [24-month / nationwide] scope. I'd feel more comfortable with [6 months / limited to direct competitors]. Happy to discuss what works for both sides.
I want to be direct: I'm genuinely excited about this role and I want to make this work. These are the areas I'd like to address before I sign. I'm flexible on how we get there.
Would you be available for a quick call this week to talk through it?
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 3: Non-Compete Negotiation
Use this specifically to negotiate down a broad or long non-compete clause.
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Subject: Re: Offer — Non-Compete Clause
Hi [Name],
Thank you for the offer — I'm excited about the role and looking forward to joining.
One thing I wanted to discuss before signing: the non-compete clause in Section [X]. As written, it restricts me from working in [broad industry] for [24 months / nationwide / etc.] after leaving.
I completely understand the company's interest in protecting its business. I'd like to suggest some adjustments that I think serve both of our interests:
- Duration: Reduce to [6 months] post-employment
- Scope: Limit to [direct competitors / companies with overlapping products in X area]
- Geography: Limit to [state / region] rather than nationwide
Many companies in [industry] use narrower non-competes, and I'd be happy to commit to those boundaries.
Is this something we can discuss? I'm happy to get on a call.
Best,
[Your Name]
Template 4: Signing Bonus Clawback Negotiation
Use this to push for a prorated clawback instead of a 100% repayment.
COPY AND CUSTOMIZE
Hi [Name],
Thank you again for the offer — I'm looking forward to joining [Company].
One small thing I'd like to address: the signing bonus repayment clause. As written, it requires 100% repayment if I leave within [12] months.
I'd like to propose a prorated structure instead, which I think is more equitable:
- Months 1–3: 100% repayment
- Months 4–6: 75% repayment
- Months 7–9: 50% repayment
- Months 10–12: 25% repayment
- After 12 months: No repayment
This is a standard structure at many companies and protects the company's investment while feeling fair to me as a new employee.
Is this something the company can accommodate?
Thanks,
[Your Name]
How to Use These Templates
Fill in the brackets first. Every [bracket] is a placeholder — your name, their name, the specific dollar amounts. Read through once before sending.
Pick one email per round. Don't combine templates 1, 2, 3, and 4 into one massive email. Start with your 2–3 highest-priority items and go from there.
Send by email, not phone. Email gives both sides time to think. It also creates a record. Phone negotiation can work, but it requires more preparation and real-time quick thinking.
Follow up once. If you don't hear back in 2 business days, one short follow-up is appropriate: "Just checking in on my counter — happy to discuss on a call if easier."
The personalized version: Generic templates are fine, but a counter-offer email written specifically about your offer — citing the actual clauses, your actual situation, the specific numbers — is more effective. Clearoffer generates this for you in 60 seconds.
Get a Personalized Counter Offer Email
Paste your offer letter. Clearoffer reads every clause and writes your counter-offer email based on your actual offer — not a generic template.