|
Negotiate Better Job Offers with This Twelve-Point Checklist
You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have now been extended a job offer. And you think the offer could be better. If that's the case, read on to find out cutting-edge strategies that'll help you negotiate a better deal. 1. There's no need to accept the offer on the spot. Do express your appreciation for their offer and ask how long you can take to make a decision. Use that time to prepare your approach. Remember, they need you just as much as you need them. Come from a position of strength and confidence. 2. Be clear on your priorities -- know what's critical to you personally and what's not. Based on this, define your deal-points and deal breaking points. This should not be limited to your salary. 3. That brings up this important point -- negotiate more than just the salary. Maybe things like extra days of vacations, certain types of expenses you want taken care of, flexible working hours, etc, based on what's important to you. 4. Be yourself. Don't try to adopt a negotiation style that's not you. Don't try to be overly cooperative if you are aggressive by nature, or vice versa. Conduct the negotiations keeping in mind the industry, the position and the person you're negotiating with. Always be tactful and considerate -- rudeness has no place in any discussion. 5. Be patient and willing to hold out for what you deserve. The whole process may require more than one meeting and could take several weeks. Don't rush it. Also, be willing to walk away from an offer (unless you're unemployed and in a desperate position). That's a tried and true tactic that often brings results, though you should be prepared to lose the offer if you do use this approach. 6. When it comes to salary, don't be the first one to name a figure. Of course, employers usually make an offer first. If you are asked what salary you want, try to redirect the discussion. Say that you'll look for a salary in line with what's typical for such positions and that you'd like to discuss the offer as a whole before coming to specifics on money. 7. If the employer is not willing to go along with that approach, then quote a range. Say that you're looking for something in the 80s or 90s, but the exact figure depends on the position, benefits and other factors. 8. Take care of fringe benefits. They can make a very important difference to your overall financial position and quality of life. Look at things like medical insurance, relocation expenses, stock options, paid parking, health club membership, etc. 9. Do your homework before you go in to negotiate a job offer. Know what salaries are typical for your position. Also, do your math correctly. You might find that earning an extra $10,000 might put you into a higher tax bracket resulting in lower take-home pay. Look at additional expenses the new job would involve -- relocation, more expensive commute, etc. Do this preparation beforehand; it's very unlikely that you'll be able to think through everything while in the thick of negotiations. 10. When trying to negotiate a higher salary, state your current salary grossed up for all bonuses, commissions, benefits that you receive. Don't limit yourself to just your pre-tax salary. 11. Be flexible. Negotiations are about give and take. You might have to concede some points to gain something that's valuable to you personally. This is another way of saying 'play fair'. 12. Stick to the truth. Exaggerating your qualifications, work experience, current salary, etc, is risky -- it is quite likely that the employer will find out and then the job offer may be retracted. You may even be fired from your job if they find out after you join them. Ann Wilson is a successful business author who writes extensively on jobs and careers. Her articles include best tips for interviews, answers to tough interviewing questions and many others with cutting-edge advice on interviewing.
MORE RESOURCES:
Jobs City of Rochester (.gov)
Careers West Virginia Department of Education
Careers Washington State University
Work With Us National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Careers The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Fallibility of Psychological Testing
Psychological Testing has become rampant across industries, more so inthe case of Information Technology, BPOs and ITES companies. Thesetests are used to 'throw up' personality profiles and competencydescriptions that would help companies recruit the 'right' candidate.
How Can You Find Freelance Writing Jobs?
Do you think that there is a big sign that reads, "Freelance Writing Jobs, Apply Within"? There just is not. In fact, you may have a hard time finding writing jobs of any type advertised in any employment magazine or newspaper either.
5 Ways to Combat Job Burnout
Job burnout happens when the stress or prolonged frustration of a job or career contributes to emotional and physical exhaustion. The ability to cope with general life stressors outside of work is strained.
Now, Do You Have Any Questions?
"Who is that hot babe in the picture?" isn't the type of reply an interviewer expects to hear when he or she invites you to ask questions near the end of an interview. In fact, the way you approach the Q&A session will have a direct impact on the interviewer's perception of you.
Recruiting Excellent Job Candidates
An independent recruiter, recruiting agency or executive search firm is charged with tracking down excellent potential candidates for available job positions. Despite the fact that there are innumerable people seeking positions of employment in the 21st century, it often seems to a typical recruiting agency that qualified men and women are few and far between.
Reinvent Yourself in a New Career
Some people reserve the word "vocation" for religious calling. Contemporary career guides encourage us to think of a "life purpose" that guides and gives meaning to a life, regardless of career.
Get Your Dream Job!
Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a new job or career is a job in itself. Once you have completed the laborious task of writing your resume and submitting it to various companies, you now have to pass the screen test to get the job.
Effective Resumes
A resume is normally the first contact point between an employer and a job seeker. It serves the purpose of providing a summary of why a candidate is suitable for a job (cover-letter) and his relevant qualifications/experience.
Why Are 95% of Job Applicants Not Called Back?
Have you been desperately looking for a job and keep coming up short? Despite all that you do, does every attempt you make seem to fail? Are you at that point of quitting? Ever wonder why you have not been called back? Not long ago, I was right where you are. I was all over the place, running here and there looking for the magic pill to help me.
Best Strategy Using Internet Job Search Engines
Best Strategy using Internet Job Search EnginesThere are hundreds of Internet job search engines, from super job banks monster.com, careerbuilder.
The 5 Essential Telecommute Résumé Components
1. An attractive layout that is easy to read and follow.
How to Prepare for A Performance Appraisal
Performance appraisal should be treated as an ongoing developmental process rather than a formal once-a-year review. It should be closely monitored by both employee and reviewer to ensure that targets are being achieved.
Top 10 Resume Writing Tips to Get You the Interview
There are many reasons why you could be in the marketfor a new job right now. Perhaps.
You Are Lucky in Your Career!
You Are Lucky in Being Satisfied in Your CareerJust for fun let's you and I, reader, considerthat you are satisifed with your current career.It's good to find out why.
How to Access Employers through Proposal Marketing
Use Proposal Marketing and you'll be your own hot spot, opening gateways previously inaccessible. Hook up with those who have the power to hire you.
Changing Careers? How to Get Around the Three Major Mental Roadblocks to Success
A part of you can't wait to dive into your new career -- but you're also smart enough to know that you can expect a few bumps along the road to success. By far, the biggest roadblocks exist between your own two ears!
Let's take a look at three common mental roadblocks and learn how to overcome them.
How to Write Cover Letters That Increase Your Chances of Winning an Interview
Submit a poorly written cover letter and the chances are your resume will end up in the trash bin without even being looked at.On the other hand, a well written cover letter can almost guarantee you get an interview.
Creating Traffic Jams
It's hard to imagine why anyone would pick up a newspaper to find a job any more. With a seemingly endless array of career sites, mailing lists, corporate sites and newsgroups, job seekers have more options online than ever before.
Switching Careers - 7 Key Steps
Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're not alone. Most Americans switch careers three times in their lifetime.
Tell Me About Yourself
The need to tell people about yourself may present itself during an informal conversation with a colleague, on the Little League field with a neighbor, on the phone with a past acquaintance, or in a face-to-face meeting for a job opportunity. "Tell me about yourself" is a favorite question that has befuddled many an unsuspecting candidate.
|