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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 offering
cutting-edge advice on interviewing.
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