Welcome Back! In today’s segment of Job Offer Etiquette we will be discussing Job Offer Negotiation. Receiving a job offer is the moment all candidates wait for. Similar to playing chess, candidates will have to be meticulous and smart about the moves they make. Whether you are accepting, rejecting or looking to negotiate you must thoroughly think it through.
Negotiating Salary
You’ve received the job offer. You’ve reviewed it and the offer does not meet your expectations. Firstly, your expectations should have been clear to begin with. If you were up front and honest about what you were looking for from the start, then it is okay to negotiate. The offer may come in at a lower salary than your minimum. In this situation it is acceptable to proceed with negotiation. Speak with the hiring manager. Always express your interest in working with the organization but reiterate what your salary expectation is. This way you open up a dialogue with the hiring manager. You may get what you want in the end. They may offer you an extra week of vacation in lieu of salary. They may talk about bonuses, profit sharing or other incentives that will make up for the salary. Whatever the case may be, there is never any harm in discussing it.
Negotiating Benefits
Benefits are another area where candidates may look to negotiate. Candidates that are currently working may want to receive benefits right away versus after the probationary period. This is another appropriate scenario of when it is okay to negotiate. Again, take it up with the hiring manager. Typically, candidates who are currently working are more sought after and can use that as a reason to ask for benefits right away.
Negotiation Strategy
The job offer negotiation is a very sensitive subject. You want to handle yourself in a way that does not negatively impact you. One of the worst things a candidate can do is try to strong-arm the employer. If the offer was what you expected there is no reason for you to proceed with negotiating. Employers do not take kindly to this and just as quickly as they sent the job offer they can take it away. You will not only lose the opportunity but this will reflect poorly on you. Good luck in your job offer negotiation.
Take a look at the situation and see if it is appropriate to negotiate. If what you are asking for is not outlandish and absurd then it is okay to move forward with negotiation. Job offer etiquette is very important. At one point or another in your career you will have a job offer to consider. You will either accept, reject, or want to negotiate. How you handle yourself will reflect directly upon you.
Haven’t read the whole series? Click here to read Part One on Accepting an Offer or Part Two on Rejecting an Offer.
