Negotiations

You are relieved to have made it through a series of interviews to finally receive the employment offer you have been waiting for. In this section you will gain insight into negotiating employment benefits that are important to you such as salary and benefits.

Accepting the job does not mean you sign on the dotted line and agree to everything the potential employer is offering. You may have questions or needs that must be addressed before you agree to become an employee. Before discussing salary, benefits, vacation, working from home, and any other areas of the employee agreement that are important to you, it is best to know what you want and where you will draw the line. If the job will not provide the work-life balance you want in your life, you may need to keep looking for another job. Alternatively, you may accept the job, but continue searching even after you start work; but this is not ideal. It is always easier to negotiate for the things you want in the beginning–including a better salary–than it is to negotiate after you have begun working for the company.

Ensure the terms of your offer are in writing, typically provided as an offer letter. It would be unfortunate to have an offer fall through after having given notice on your current job, thus finding yourself jobless.

Preparing for negotiations is just as important as prepping for the interview. The employer does not know you well; but if they are willing to negotiate it is a good sign they want you on the team. Think about everything you will need to be successful in your new workplace. Use career guides and salary websites to understand what employees with your work experience are being paid in your field. You can tailor the searches to the specific place you are applying for and even the position you are interviewing for. Salary.com and Payscale.com are two great websites to search for salary information and job descriptions.

In any negotiation, knowing what to say and when is key. The person who does the most talking doesn’t always win the negotiation. Take the time to make a list of what is important to you, your family, and any other needs before finalizing the job agreement.