You’ve had your interviews and now have an offer or multiple offers are on the table and are a combination of excited and “what do I do now?” I’ve been there! Even if you don’t have more than one offer it’s hard to decide if you should take this one for fear that there might be something better out there. I’m a believer that there is always some wiggle room when negotiating a job offer but that its not all on the company. These 7 tricks will help you identify what’s important to you, what you can give up, and how to have the conversations.
Consider the employer’s perspective
If you’re looking at a large company, there might be opportunity for some wiggle room in your salary versus a smaller company with tighter budgets. Take a step back and gauge where your company falls into this mix.
Look at the whole offer
If there is no wiggle room in the salary, look at the whole package.
- Are there flexible hours
- More vacation time
- Rotational training programs
- Facility with included resources (gym, meals, etc)
- Travel options
- Mentorship programs
- Professional development opportunities
Your career is much more than the salary you’ll be getting and is a lot about the other opportunities they are offering. You will be at this job for 40 plus hours a week and trust me the salary itself just isn’t going to cut it.
When negotiating your job offer don’t throw all the spaghetti on the wall to see what sticks
This isn’t the time to throw out anything and everything you want to see what sticks. Before you ask for anything else, make sure you’ve thought carefully about what you want, why you want it, and the reality of the company being able to meet your requests.
Get creative
Remember how we talked about before that companies might not be able to increase the salary? Well, think a little creatively about what they could offer you:
- 6-month review to increase salary
- Relocation and sign up bonus
- Payment for a professional organization, conference, or special event
Many companies might not be able to provide the cash as part of the salary but have different budgets for professional development and other expenses. Be a little creative with your ask.
Find the balance
When you’re negotiating, you want to find the balance of selling yourself short and being realistic. By no means should sign an offer you’re not comfortable with but at the same time you need to be realistic about what’s possible for both you and the company. Dig deep and figure out what’s most important to you and what you can live with or without.
Give the employer credit
For the most part, employers know that you’re looking and might receive multiple offers. It’s not worth their time, companies time or your time to low ball you on an offer. For them to start a whole new search costs a lot of money and takes away their employees from doing other work. Consider the fact that they did their market research to determine a comparable package for you.
Check your resources
As alumni, you should have access to reports and other resources from your Career Services office. This should provide some feedback on the average salary based on field for their graduates. You can also consider using payscale.com and salary.com.
Unfortunately, you usually have to pay for more information and they are typically geared towards professionals who have been in the field for a little while.
Negotiating is not always about you and the employer but can be about making compromises with yourself. Figure out what is important to you and think about what you can and cannot give up. When you’re looking at your packages, look at them as a whole and think not only about your professional life but what your personal life will look like if you take this job.
What job offers do you have on the table and are trying to work through? What are some negotiating tactics you’ve used in the past?
Comment below and let us know.
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These are really great tips! Your career development and salary really depend on being able to develop negotiation skills.
Thank you so much Barbie and I completely agree.
This could not have been more timely! I just received an offer letter for a new position! Thank you for the tips!
Congrats Emilyanne! Keep us posted!
Such fabulous and practical tips!! I’m moving to Miami this summer so this will be perfect!
Thanks so much for reading, Laura!
These are some really great tips. I am always so nervous to ask any questions but it is always better if you do.
Thanks, Jennifer. It really is better to ask questions and get more details before signing the offer.
These tips are really helpful. Very well written!
Thanks so much Devon!
Very useful as I’m at the point of finishing my contract and looking for another one!
Good luck with your new contract, Sara!
Good read! Thanks for the tips
Very practical tips. Will be sharing with a few friends of mine. Thanks
Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked them!
I love your blog posts Alissa, you break everything down so beautifully!
There’s so many great tips in this post. I hope everyone gets a chance to read them before accepting a new job.
Thanks so much Jyn! I really appreciate it!
What great advice! I never would have thought to ask for professional development or other “perks” beyond a salary increase!
Professional development can cost big bucks and is often overlooked as part of the compensation available. Hope that helps!
Oh my goodness. This is a great post! I’ve only ever negotiated once, and I was successful. I felt SO awkward, but it’s so true that you don’t get what you don’t ask for. Be brave!
It’s so true! We have to be brave and try and see what happens.
That spaghetti metaphor describes this so perfectly!
I couldn’t agree more Sharee!
These are great ideas. I just did something similar in my job, it’s definitely worth it!
I am so glad you put yourself out there and did this. That’s amazing Nicole!
Love the spaghetti quote!
Thanks so much Rebecca!
This is all great advice!
Thanks, Alyssa. I really appreciate it!
wow! what great tips! these are so great for most of my friends, i will share with them!
Thanks so much Jiyeon!
eeeeekkkkk of all the things to negotiate this one can get tricky, these tips are great!
Thanks so much Sarah! It really does get tricky!
Yes to all of these! It’s important to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before accepting.
I couldn’t agree more Jenny! Looking at the whole compensation package is so important!
These are really great tips! My husband is looking to increase his salary where he is at and these could definitely help him!
When I coach clients, I always talk about quantifying your successes in the company and bringing that to the conversations. The more than company can see what you’ve done – the better!
Love that you posted about this because it’s something that so many overlook! It isn’t always JUST about the money and often times, there are many factors to take in before making your decision. Knowing your worth and what others make in a similar position is important as well 🙂
Kristen | http://www.sophisticatedgal.com
Thanks, Kristen. I think we default to salary and only salary but there is so much more than just the money. We’re at our jobs for 40+ hours a week and looking at your compensation package from all angles is essential!
these are awesome tips! People should NEVER accept the first offer!
I couldn’t agree more Rachel!