Dialogue
French salary negotiation dialogue: discuss an offer before accepting
Discuss annual gross pay, benefits and a counterproposal in French. Practise asking for a revised offer and checking what still needs approval.
- B1
- 16 lines
- Practice mode
- Learn this in the B1 notebook →
In short
Thank the recruiter, check whether the figure is brut annuel and give a reason for your counterproposal: Compte tenu de mon expérience, serait-il possible de porter le salaire fixe à 38 000 euros brut par an ? Ask for the revised terms in writing before replying.
- Recruteuse
Nous souhaitons vous proposer le poste avec un salaire fixe de 35 000 euros brut par an.
English
We’d like to offer you the position with a fixed salary of 35,000 euros gross per year.
- Candidat
Merci pour cette proposition. Le poste m’intéresse beaucoup. Pourrions-nous discuter du salaire avant ma réponse ?
Thank the recruiter, express interest and ask to discuss the salary.
English
Thank you for the offer. I’m very interested in the role. Could we discuss the salary before I respond?
- Recruteuse
Bien sûr. Quelles sont vos attentes ?
English
Of course. What are your expectations?
- Candidat
Je souhaiterais un salaire fixe de 38 000 euros brut par an, compte tenu de mes quatre ans d’expérience.
Request 38,000 euros gross annually and give four years’ experience as your reason.
English
I’d like a fixed salary of 38,000 euros gross per year, given my four years of experience.
- Recruteuse
Notre budget initial est de 35 000 euros. Quels éléments de votre expérience souhaitez-vous mettre en avant ?
English
Our initial budget is 35,000 euros. Which aspects of your experience would you like to highlight?
- Candidat
J’ai déjà géré un portefeuille similaire et formé deux collègues au suivi des clients.
Support the request with a similar client portfolio and training two colleagues.
English
I’ve already managed a similar client portfolio and trained two colleagues in client follow-up.
- Recruteuse
Je comprends. Il y a aussi une prime annuelle pouvant aller jusqu’à 2 000 euros.
English
I understand. There is also an annual bonus of up to 2,000 euros.
- Candidat
Cette prime est-elle garantie ou dépend-elle des résultats ?
Ask whether the bonus is guaranteed or depends on results.
English
Is that bonus guaranteed, or does it depend on results?
- Recruteuse
Elle dépend des objectifs atteints. Elle s’ajoute au salaire fixe.
English
It depends on the targets achieved. It is paid on top of the fixed salary.
- Candidat
D’accord. Quels autres avantages sont prévus dans l’offre ?
Ask what other benefits are included.
English
All right. What other benefits are included in the offer?
- Recruteuse
Des titres-restaurant et deux jours de télétravail par semaine après la période d’intégration.
English
Meal vouchers and two remote-working days a week after the induction period.
- Candidat
Merci. Serait-il possible de porter le fixe à 37 000 euros en conservant ces avantages ?
Offer a revised request of 37,000 euros fixed while keeping the benefits.
English
Thank you. Would it be possible to increase the fixed salary to 37,000 euros while keeping those benefits?
- Recruteuse
Je dois en parler à la direction. Je pourrai vous répondre demain.
English
I need to discuss it with management. I’ll be able to answer you tomorrow.
- Candidat
Très bien. Pourriez-vous alors m’envoyer une offre écrite avec le fixe et les conditions de la prime ?
Ask for a written offer specifying fixed pay and bonus conditions.
English
Very good. Could you then send me a written offer with the fixed salary and bonus conditions?
- Recruteuse
Oui. Si la direction valide le montant, je vous envoie l’offre révisée demain.
English
Yes. If management approves the amount, I’ll send you the revised offer tomorrow.
- Candidat
Merci. Je vous donnerai ma réponse après avoir lu cette offre.
Thank the recruiter and say you will respond after reading the revised offer.
English
Thank you. I’ll give you my answer after reading that offer.
Which figure are you discussing?
| French | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| le salaire fixe | fixed salary | The base amount under discussion. |
| brut par an | gross per year | Check both the pay basis and period. |
| une prime pouvant aller jusqu’à 2 000 euros | a bonus of up to 2,000 euros | A maximum; the recruiter says it depends on targets. |
| l’offre révisée | the revised offer | Requested after management has approved any change. |
The candidate’s first request is 38 000 euros, then the counterproposal becomes 37 000 euros. The recruiter has agreed to ask management. The new amount is still awaiting approval at the end of the conversation.
- Je suis intéressant par le poste.Le poste m’intéresse.
The job interests you. Je suis intéressant describes you as an interesting person.
- Si la direction validera le montant, vous m’envoyez l’offre ?Si la direction valide le montant, vous m’enverrez l’offre ?
For this future condition, use the present after si and the future in the result.