Tips on Negotiating a Job Offer

Whether it's your first role out of college or university, or a position in a new industry

after a career change — receiving a job offer is an exciting moment. Here are a few tips

to keep in mind when it comes time to negotiate.

1. Know Your Worth

Having a solid understanding of salary expectations and compensation norms in your industry

makes the negotiation process smoother for everyone involved. When you're confident in your

value, employers and recruiters take notice — and it helps set realistic expectations on both sides of the table.

2. Stay Open to Flexibility

Go into negotiations with a compensation figure in mind, but leave some room to flex. Ask yourself:

"Would I still see value in this role if the offer came in slightly below what I was hoping for?" Sometimes

the full picture — growth, culture, experience — is worth more than the number alone.

3. Ask How the Offer Was Determined

If a salary offer comes in lower than expected and you're firm on your target, it's perfectly reasonable to

ask the employer how they arrived at that figure. There may be a straightforward explanation — perhaps it

reflects what the previous person in the role was earning, or it falls within a set pay band. Understanding the

reasoning can help you decide whether there's room to negotiate further.

4. Negotiation Isn't a Battle

A lower-than-expected offer isn't a slight — it's simply business. Before walking away, take a step back and consider the broader value of the opportunity:

• If you're a new graduate, what experience and skills will this role help you build?

• What new responsibilities will you take on compared to your previous position?

• If you're changing careers, how will this role help you gain the expertise you need?

If, after reflecting, the compensation still doesn't meet your needs, it's okay to decline — just do so respectfully. There's no reason for frustration or hard feelings on either side.

5. Have the Contract Reviewed

For more complex offers, having a lawyer review the contract can be a worthwhile investment. They can flag unfamiliar terms or clauses that could affect your negotiation. If a lawyer isn't accessible, a trusted friend, recruiter, mentor, or senior professional can serve as a helpful second set of eyes.

6. Respond Promptly

Employers typically allow two to three days to review a job offer, and they'll expect a decision by the end of that window. Use the time wisely — read through the contract carefully, ask any questions you have, and come prepared with your answer on the final day.

For more guidance, watch Guhuza President Marc Belaiche, CPA, CA discuss this topic here.

Guhuza is created in partnership with TorontoJobs.ca.

Guhuza is the new way to recruit. As an innovative Canadian platform, it goes beyond the traditional job board — using breakthrough technology to instantly match employers and job seekers for the ultimate hiring experience. Our advanced matching system pairs job seeker profiles with relevant positions and ranks candidates for employers based on the skills each role requires. Once a match is made, live interviews can be conducted directly through the platform.

Visit Guhuza.com or our Knowledge Base to learn more.