Job Offer Negotiations in the Current Market for a Fresh PhD

KACA
Jun 8
3 min read

Navigating Job Offer Negotiations as a Fresh PhD in Today’s Market

If you're finishing your PhD and stepping into the job market, congratulations — that's no small feat. But once you receive that long-awaited offer, there’s another hurdle many of us weren’t trained for: negotiation.

For Korean international and Korean American graduate students, especially, the negotiation process can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. But here’s the truth: negotiating is a normal — and expected — part of the job offer process in the U.S.

Here’s a breakdown to help you navigate your first academic or non-academic offer with more clarity and confidence.

1. Academic vs. Non-Academic: What’s Negotiable?

In academia, what you can negotiate depends on the type of position:

Tenure-track: You can often ask about starting salary, research or startup funds, course load, service expectations, moving expenses, and even conference or travel support.
Lecturer/Adjunct/Postdoc: These roles may have less flexibility, but it’s still okay to ask about salary, travel support, or visa sponsorship.

In non-academic roles (e.g., industry, nonprofits, government), the list looks a little different:

Salary
Signing bonus
Remote/hybrid work flexibility
Relocation support
Vacation days
Professional development funds
Visa sponsorship (super important for international grads)

2. For International Students: Visa Considerations

If you’re on an F-1 visa, your ability to stay and work in the U.S. depends on the job’s ability to sponsor OPT, STEM OPT extensions, or H-1B. It’s okay to ask early in the process:

“Would your organization be able to support a work visa if needed?”

Don’t assume it's a dealbreaker unless they say it is — many employers are open to sponsorship, but you won’t know unless you ask.

3. How to Prepare for the Negotiation

Do your research. Use platforms like Chronicle of Higher Ed, Glassdoor, or ask colleagues in your field what typical packages look like.
Talk to mentors. They can give you insight into what’s fair or what others have successfully negotiated.
List your priorities. Is salary your main concern? Do you need travel funding? Decide what matters most.
Practice the conversation. Saying it out loud helps you sound confident (even if you’re nervous inside!).

4. Cultural Notes for Korean Students

In Korean culture, we’re often taught to respect authority and avoid conflict — so negotiating with a professor or future boss can feel rude or awkward. But in the U.S., it’s simply part of the process. Think of it this way: by negotiating, you’re advocating for your future and showing that you know your worth. You’re not asking for anything unreasonable — you’re asking for a conversation.

A respectful way to start might be:

“Thank you so much for the offer. I’m really excited about this opportunity. I was wondering if there might be any flexibility regarding [specific item]?”

5. What About a Tight Job Market?

Yes, it’s true — the academic job market is tough right now. Fewer positions, more candidates. But that doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate. It just means you need to be strategic and thoughtful:

Bundle your asks (e.g., “If the salary isn’t flexible, would travel funding be possible?”)
Be open and collaborative in tone
Frame your ask as something that helps you do the job better

6. Sample Email Template

Subject: Follow-Up on Offer – [Your Name]

Dear [Name],

Thank you again for the offer. I’m very excited about the opportunity to join [Department or Company Name]. Before making a final decision, I wanted to see if we could discuss a few aspects of the offer — specifically, [your negotiation point].

I appreciate your time and consideration, and I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation.

Best,[Your Name]

7. Final Thoughts

Negotiating your first offer can feel daunting — especially if you haven’t seen others around you do it. But you deserve to ask for what you need to thrive in your next chapter. And trust me: you’ll thank yourself later for speaking up.

If you're a Korean or Korean American grad student and have a question or want to share your negotiation story, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s keep supporting each other through these transitions.