RESOURCES FOR CAREER COACHES
9 Tips to Negotiate a Job Offer Like a Pro
By Hannah Morgan
Hannah Morgan reminds us of this valuable wisdom: If you don’t ask for what you want, the answer will always be no! This is especially true when it comes to salary negotiations. However, you can also negotiate other elements of a job offer. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of negotiating a job offer, follow these 9 tips and build your confidence.
Research Salary Ranges (And More)
First things first. You should have already conducted company research before you walked in the door for your first interview.How To Research Company Culture
Technically, you should have researched salaries before you applied for the job to ensure your range was appropriate. As you may have noticed, most job postings will not include salary information. In order to get an idea of what the job is worth and what other people in similar roles make, do your due diligence. This means using multiple sources. Use salary calculators. But don’t stop there. Talk to recruiters in your field and geography. Network with people who are in your line of work to understand what the going rate is. Use as many of these options as possible to develop a realistic expectation for your desired salary range. Remember, your value in the marketplace is based on how much the employer is willing to pay, the value of your skills and what your previous employer paid you.When To Negotiate Job Offer
You technically can’t negotiate a job offer until you have one. Avoid getting into a detailed salary discussion or attempting to negotiate any condition until you have a job offer. For example, expressing your desire to work from home during the interview could sour the deal. Wait to talk about this until you have an offer and always be sure to learn what the company’s policies/perceptions are for conditions you are interested in. And don’t try and negotiate on the spot. When presented with the job offer, ask how long you have to consider the offer and schedule a time to provide your answer. Remember, accepting a job is a major decision and you shouldn’t feel pressured to accept an offer.Negotiate With Enthusiasm
If an employer doesn’t think you want the job, it could hurt your chances of negotiating, or worse, could lead to the offer being taken off the table. Tell the employer you are interested in the job and why. And be sure to smile.Negotiate With the Right Person
The person who extends the offer may not be the person with the power or authority to negotiate. Every company has a different set of procedures. It is important that you know who has final budget approval for the job. While human resources may be the ones who extend the offer, they may not have the ability to negotiate.Use Company Research and Inside Information
During the interview and through networking conversations with company insiders, you may uncover valuable information. Perhaps you learn that the company has negotiated vacation time for certain employees or allows some of the team to work from home once a week. You odds of getting things are better if there is already a precedent in the company or department. Use the information you uncover to your advantage.What Can You Negotiate?
There are many elements to a job offer. Here are some things you may want to consider:- Job title
- Start date
- Vacation/paid time off (PTO)
- Flextime/job hours
- Remote or virtual work
- Signing bonus or other bonuses
- Level of responsibility
- Relocation expenses
- Professional association dues, subscriptions
- Laptop, mobile phone, home office technology Auto (car lease, mileage)
- Training/certification reimbursement
- Severance provisions