Competing offer email example: what to say to a recruiter
Short answer
A good competing-offer email is short and does four things: it says you want the role, names the other company and number in one sentence, asks them to close a specific gap, and gives a clear deadline. Below is a full, filled-in example you can adapt in a couple of minutes — plus a line-by-line breakdown of why each sentence is there.
The full example (filled in)
This is a complete, realistic email — names and numbers are illustrative. Swap in your own.
Hi Priya,
Thank you again for the offer to join Northwind as a Senior Product Designer. I want to be upfront: this is the role I want — the team and the problems you're working on are exactly what I'm looking for.
I also have a written offer from Lumen Labs at $128,000 base. The two roles are comparable, which puts Northwind's $116,000 about $12,000 lower on base.
Would there be room to bring the base to $128,000? If base is constrained on your side, a $12,000 signing bonus would close the same gap and works just as well for me.
I'd like to give Lumen an answer by Friday, May 30, so anything you can share before then would help me say yes to Northwind cleanly.
Thanks so much,
Alex Rivera
Why each line works
- "This is the role I want." Removes the threat. The recruiter now reads everything else as logistics, not a walk-away.
- "$128,000 base… $12,000 lower." A named company and exact numbers are defensible — the recruiter can repeat them to a comp committee.
- "If base is constrained, a $12,000 signing bonus…" Gives them an easy yes when base is capped. Flexibility makes the ask feel collaborative.
- "…by Friday." A real deadline creates urgency without pressure, and explains why you need an answer.
- Most people land here while drafting a real reply, inside a decision window.
- The example is calm and specific — the two traits recruiters respond to.
- Designed for people who don't negotiate often.
- Real workplace register — not internet bravado.
An illustrative example
Using the email above almost verbatim, the candidate's recruiter replied within a day: base couldn't move past $122K, but they added a $10K signing bonus and an extra week of PTO. The candidate accepted the role they preferred, with most of the gap closed.
What NOT to say
- "I have other options." Too vague — name the company and number or don't mention it.
- "You'll need to do better than Lumen." Framing it as a contest invites a no.
- Opening with the competing offer before saying you want the role.
- Writing three paragraphs of justification. Short and specific beats long and defensive.
The real risk
An example like this rarely gets an offer rescinded — what gets offers pulled is tone, not leverage. The version above is honest, specific, and makes clear you prefer this role, which is exactly what lets a recruiter go to bat for you. Avoid ultimatums and inflated numbers and the downside is small.
Related reads
FAQ
What should a competing offer email include?
Four things: that you want this role, the competing company and number in one sentence, a specific ask to close the gap, and a clear deadline. Keep it short — under 150 words.
How do I start a competing offer email?
Start with genuine thanks and a clear statement that you want the role. Leading with the competing offer reads as a threat; leading with preference frames the rest as a logistics question.
Should the email be to the recruiter or hiring manager?
Send it to whoever made the offer. Usually that's the recruiter, who carries comp requests to the hiring manager and comp committee. If the hiring manager made the offer directly, reply to them.