Negotiating a job offer can be daunting, but it’s important to ensure that you are satisfied with the terms of your employment. Here are some key things to consider negotiating:
- Salary: This is often the most important aspect of the job offer for many people. Consider researching the salary range for your position in your industry and location to have a baseline. Ask for a fair and competitive salary, and be prepared to justify your request with examples of your skills, experience, and achievements.
Surprisingly, many people will take an initial offer at face value. Also, don’t be intimidated by the statements, “This is a competitive offer,” “This is our best offer,” or similar. Many recruiters try to prevent negotiations this way, and, sadly, it is to the company’s detriment long-term. If a new employee feels forced to accept an offer, they won’t stay very long with the company, especially if they find out they could have gotten slightly more salary elsewhere. The employer has started their relationship poorly with their new hire.
You should always have an opportunity for them to come back with a second offer after hearing your concerns and requests.
- Benefits: Beyond salary, look at the benefits package offered to see if it is competitive with other companies in your field. This may include health insurance, retirement plans, vacation time, sick leave, and other perks. At a minimum, vacation and sick leave (i.e., Personal Time Off (PTO) ) is an area you should not leave on the table.
- Start date: Negotiating the start date can be beneficial if you have other commitments, such as finishing a project or relocating.
- Job responsibilities: Ensuring the responsibilities are clearly defined and aligned with your expectations is important. Discuss your concerns about the job duties and seek clarification before accepting the offer.
- Opportunities for growth and development: Inquire about opportunities for advancement and career growth within the company. This shows that you are interested in investing in the company and your own future with the company.
Also, ask about training opportunities and how they approach those needs within the company and department you would be working in.
Remember to approach negotiations with a positive attitude and be willing to compromise. You want to maintain a good relationship with your future employer, even if you don’t get everything you want. Good luck!
