How to Negotiate a Job Offer (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

If you have been offered the job of your life, you probably feel ready to accept it right away, whatever the terms they propose to you. However, the best way to take a job is to make sure the full package is exactly what you want. Since a profession takes a lot of time and effort and you are likely to have only one opportunity to determine your salary, knowing how to negotiate is an essential skill in taking a job.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing for Success

Step 1. Find out all the details

When you are offered a job, it is important to know your duties. Ask the hiring manager or your broker in the firm for the details of the offer, and be sure to get them put in writing. They include:

• How much is the salary?
• Where is the job and, if I move, are there any refunds for the move?
• What are the benefits (contributions, paid vacation, opportunities to work from home, etc.)?
• Is there a bonus to incentivize a potential employee to accept the offer?
• When is the starting date?

Step 2. Thank the employer for the offer, even if it was bad

You must always appear polite and grateful when faced with an offer. Try to mask any emotions such as disappointment if the offer received is unsatisfactory for your fees. The idea of negotiation is to avoid disclosing your intentions right away.

Step 3. Negotiate a time limit for making a decision

When you receive an offer, don't be blindly persuaded by its apparent perfection, and don't immediately accept or start the negotiation process right away. Give yourself time to think rationally about various factors. Reply like this: "I appreciate your offer. I am very excited about working here, but I am still waiting to hear from other companies. Can we discuss the offer again in a week?".

• Talk to the hiring manager about the company's expectations on response times, and try to compromise. If you want someone to fill the post right away, it would be best to respond as soon as possible. A reasonable amount of time to reflect on an offer ranges from one day to one week.
• Don't worry about missing out on the job offer by asking for time to make a decision. This happens very rarely. An employer who absolutely wants to hire you will give you plenty of time, within reason, to make up your mind. A business that makes an offer and withdraws it before you give a definitive answer probably tends to take shortcuts, is dishonest, and generally treats employees badly. Consider yourself lucky you weren't hired!

Step 4. Do your homework

You need to know under what conditions you say yes before signing on the dotted line. Get the company's financial history to determine if you want to join this type of company and if you see a future in the business.

• Talk to other employees. If you have friends or professional contacts in the company, ask for honest opinions on work experience in this company. You never know the real working conditions until you talk to someone inside. If you don't know anyone in the company personally, don't try to talk to a random employee; instead, look for online forums, where you might pick up clues or other information in employee discussions.
• Get the corporate mission statement. Consider if you agree with the mission, consider if it fits your personal and work ethic or your goals.

Step 5. Consider whether the potential job meets your needs and goals

Ask yourself what are the advantages and disadvantages that employment would have in important areas of your life. Since you will be spending most of your week at work, finding a job that fits your personal life and professional needs is vital. Consider the following groups of needs:

• Individual needs. Does the job satisfy your intellectual needs, your creativity and your innate curiosity? Do you think you can adapt to the corporate culture? Would you feel motivated and excited about doing this job?
• Family needs. Is the job potentially compatible with your family commitments and interests? Is the workplace geographically close and does it give you the opportunity to spend enough time indoors? Do you imagine that your family can get along well with the family members of your colleagues?
• Career needs. Imagine having promotions and a career in this organization? Is there room for growth? Does it offer competitive training, good work experience, and a valuable leap in quality from your previous position? Does it give you the guarantee of having a permanent job?

Step 6. Research the competition

Knowing the offer of the firm's competitors could give you some influence during the negotiations. Find out about the salaries and benefits of two or three competing companies using professional search engines such as careers.com, monster.com or salary.com. Remember that each job may offer different advantages and benefits when compared to others, but use the general information to make comparisons with the possible offer at stake.

Step 7. If possible, find out what to leverage

Leverage is nothing more than the ability to exert some control or influence over a situation. Brainstorm to consider what might give you that power. Soon you will be using it for negotiations and coming to a compromise:

• Stronger decision-making power:

  • You are a great candidate for a highly sought-after position.
  • Receive a reputable offer from another company in a related field or industry.

• Weakest decision-making power:

  • You know the company wants to take the place soon.
  • Know the industry standard salary for the position you would be filling.

  Part 2 of 3: Negotiate the Best Offer

  

  Step 1. Get in touch with your company broker or hiring manager again

  Give him a quick call to arrange a meeting and speak in person. Do not undertake the negotiation process by phone or, worse, by email. It's harder to say no in person than over the phone. Also, the human connection of a face-to-face interaction will be important later in the workplace, so don't underestimate it!

  

  Step 2. Before starting negotiations, you need to know the minimum salary you are willing to accept and what you aspire to

  The minimum bid is the absolute lowest salary you would accept. The target sum is equal to the desired salary. Determine these two digits according to your needs. The more power you have in trading, the smaller the difference between these two numbers will be.

  

  Step 3. Ask for more money without actually determining a number

  You feel that the first offer you receive is too low, while your skills demand a much higher salary. The tactic you should try is to ask for a bigger salary without directly expressing a number.

  • Why not talk about concrete numbers? If you review the hot potato of negotiations with the employer, and he knows that the starting offer was too low, he will think for a long time and will press his head to offer you a number that does not seem as disappointing as the first. If you get the firm to make the first offer, take a position that gives you more power.
  • Here's how you might bring up the topic: "I am thrilled with this professional opportunity, and I think our collaboration can be profitable for both parties. Is there a possibility to increase the starting salary?". If it is not possible to negotiate, decide if this figure is indeed a hitch for you (it does not necessarily have to be). If it's negotiable, keep insisting on getting what you want.

  

  Step 4. If the employer tries to force you to accept a certain salary, flatly decline the offer

  At this point, a company usually starts writhing to avoid compromising; he hopes you make the tactical mistake of rashly letting a number slip away, only to be able to tell you it's not within his budget. Don't give in. Here is a dialogue that could arise if the company had an inflexible idea and was firmly resolved to snatch a number from you (you are also shown the answer you could give):

  • Employer: "What figure do you have in mind regarding the starting salary?".
  • You: "Considering the jobs I would take care of, I was hoping my starting salary was a little bit higher."
  • Employer: "The salary is negotiable, and we certainly want to have it on board, but until we know what you want, we can't do much."
  • You: "I calculated the sum based on market rates for employees in my same field who have [x] years of experience behind them."
  • Employer: "I really don't know what to offer you, unless you give me a rough figure."
  • You: "A competitive salary for the services I offer would be between [x] and [y]". If you really have to, you can indicate a salary swing, but this will still allow you to pass the buck to your employer.

  

  Step 5. Wait for the employer to offer you a salary

  This may involve uncomfortable silences, but the momentary embarrassment is worth it. When the company proposes a number, smile, but don't speak. Think about it for a moment. It is possible that the employer will consider it a hesitation on your part, which could prompt them to immediately offer you an even higher amount.

  

  Step 6. If you think you deserve more, make a more favorable proposal for yourself

  Are you going to renegotiate a more advantageous offer? Put yourself in the employer's shoes. But don't expect him to increase his salary up to 20,000 euros, realistically this is not possible. Similarly, being determined to say yes only to high pay could help you close the gap between the minimum you would accept and the desired one. If you think you have power, keep the offer high.

  • Start using your power. Did you get another offer from a competitor? Is your talent highly sought after? You shouldn't flaunt it or flaunt it, but it clearly explains why they should hire you and offer you the salary you want, or something similar.
  • Get ready to leave. When making an offer that you think is most beneficial to you, remember that the employer may not meet your requirements. In this case, consider just leaving. It is a risky strategy, but you could deceive the employer and get a suitable offer for your wishes.

  

  Step 7. Intimate benefits or advantages in the conversation

  If the salary argument becomes sterile, and a fruitful conversation starts to sound like a bickering, you may want to try to plead your case for additional privileges or benefits. You may be asking for retirement benefits, more paid vacation, or even a defined travel budget. While they seem like small things, they can have a huge financial impact over the course of months or even years.

  

  Step 8. Write everything down

  After using your negotiating power to receive benefits and the best possible salary, the offer must be put down in black and white. If the employer does not do this, it may be that they will not comply with these contractual details once they have hired you. As a result, you may find yourself in the undesirable position of having to illustrate your case again when you find that your needs have not been met. Unfortunately, this happens. Make sure you put everything in writing!

  Part 3 of 3: Other Considerations

  

  Step 1. Listen to your instincts throughout the negotiation process

  For both parties, an interview is a process that offers the opportunity to get an idea of who you are in front of. It might seem like the interview is one-way, but the truth is, you're also trying to get to know the company better. If it seems to you that the employer is constantly trying to wriggle out of precise claims, say untruths or intimidate you into accepting a lower salary, it will not be pleasant to work in this company for an extended period of time.

  The negotiation process is comparable to a war, but the war equivalent of the 16th century, not the modern one, according to which everything is lawful. Negotiations should be civil, full of dignified intentions and guided by rules. If it seems to you that the negotiation is a little too similar to Vietnam and not at all to the Battle of Agincourt, run away, remember that you are a knight

  

  Step 2. When it comes to salary, ask for a specific number

  In negotiations of this type, a request for € 58,745 is preferable to a request for € 60,000, even if that means asking for less money. Because?

  According to some recent research, employers have the feeling that people who ask for a fixed salary instead of a round figure are more aware of their value. The idea behind this theory? A precise number makes it clear that you have inquired about market rates and made comparisons. On the other hand, a person who asks for a round number, such as 60,000 euros, conveys the feeling of not knowing specifically what the job or the remuneration envisaged by the market implies

  

  Step 3. Don't play the compassion card

  When negotiating, don't mention your wife's illness or complain about how much it costs to have dependent children. The employer does not want to hear about them, and may even be negatively affected by these words. The company wants to know your skills, it wants to understand why you are the ideal person for the job, to realize that the salary you ask for is a trifle compared to what you will bring. Focus on these factors!

  

  Step 4. Be kind and understanding, never burn bridges

  During negotiations, behave flawlessly. You will likely break down, get angry, or even fear, but try to keep your demeanor calm and civil. It is in your best interest. You never know: the person you're negotiating with could end up becoming a co-worker or direct supervisor.

  Even though the negotiation fails and you end up taking a different job, circumstances can change. You may find yourself needing a letter of reference, employment, or other help later. Being polite and not losing business contacts will come in handy in the future

  

  Step 5. Be confident

  Believe in your skills, your past experience, and your ability to make sure you get the best for yourself. A high (but still reasonable) self-esteem should translate into an equally high esteem on the part of the potential employer.

  During the interview, assume a strong, confident, open and relaxed posture to increase your self-esteem. According to a study, people who assume a posture that transmits determination and self-esteem for a few minutes see an increase in testosterone and a decrease in stress; moreover, others perceive them as capable of exercising some control

  Advice

  • Don't negotiate by making claims or insisting on certain conditions before accepting the job, you don't have to seem overbearing.
  • Avoid telling your future employer what the duties of your last job were, because he can use them to evaluate the salary he will propose to you (especially if you were earning a lot less than you would like).
  • While you are likely to deserve everything you want, consider the economic conditions before entering into negotiations.