Competing offer salary negotiation — use the leverage, skip the threat
Short answer
A real competing offer is your strongest leverage — but only if you use it calmly. Name the other company and number in one sentence, say which job you actually prefer, and ask if they can close a specific gap. No ultimatums, no bluffs. The email should sound like you want this role and just need the numbers to line up.
Pick the exact situation you're in
Every page below answers one specific competing-offer question, gives you the email, and links back here.
The exact email to send
Hi [HIRING_MANAGER],
Thank you for the offer to join [COMPANY] as [ROLE]. To be straight with you: I want to take this role — [SPECIFIC_REASON, e.g. the team, the product, the manager] is what I'm optimizing for.
I do have a competing offer from [OTHER_COMPANY] at $[OTHER_BASE] base + $[OTHER_BONUS]. The roles are close, with [COMPANY] currently [$X lower / equity lower / signing lower].
Is there flexibility to bring the base to $[TARGET], or to add a signing bonus that closes the gap? I'm flexible on structure — base, equity, or signing all work.
I'd love to wrap this up by [DATE] so I can decline the other offer cleanly.
Thanks,
[YOUR_NAME]
- Built for the moment a written offer or recruiter call lands — not casual browsing.
- The wording is built for the 24–72 hour decision window.
- Designed for people who don't negotiate often.
- Real workplace register — not internet bravado.
An illustrative example
Offer A (preferred) came in at $108K. Offer B (less preferred) at $120K. Instead of bluffing, they wrote: "I want this role. The competing offer is $120K base. Can we close the gap?" The hiring manager came back with $116K base + a $6K signing bonus. They took the preferred role and closed most of the gap — without ever threatening to walk.
What NOT to say
- "Match it or I'm gone." The moment you issue an ultimatum, you've handed away the goodwill.
- Naming a competing offer that doesn't exist. Recruiters often check, and the downside is your reputation.
- Refusing to name the company when asked — it makes the whole offer sound invented.
- Bringing it up after you've already negotiated once and lost. That stacks pressure and reads as desperate.
The real risk (read this before you send)
The leverage is not the risk — tone is. A calm, specific, "I prefer your role" message almost never gets an offer rescinded; recruiters expect a counter and need a defensible reason to escalate. What gets offers pulled is an ultimatum, a bluff that gets caught, or a number with no anchor. Send a clear, honest version once. If they can't move, you still have a real choice — not a bluff that exploded.
No competing offer? You still have leverage
A second offer is one anchor — not the only one. Market data, expanded scope, and your specific value are anchors too. If you don't have another offer, use the three-anchor method for negotiating without a competing offer.
Related reads
FAQ
Is using a competing offer to negotiate a good idea?
Usually yes, if the competing offer is real and you state which job you actually prefer. A real, named, numbered offer is the strongest leverage you have. The risk is tone — ultimatums and bluffs are what backfire, not the leverage itself.
Do I have to name the competing company?
It helps. A named company and a real number are verifiable and defensible. An unnamed competing offer reads like a bluff and gets ignored or quietly verified.
What if I prefer the lower offer?
Say so plainly. Telling the company you want their role and asking them to close a specific gap removes the threat and gives the recruiter a clean reason to escalate the package.
Can I negotiate without a competing offer?
Yes. A competing offer is one anchor, not the only one. Market data, scope, and your value are anchors too. See the no-competing-offer email for the three-anchor method.