Negotiating the Offer
The process of getting hired can be more tedious than one might expect. The phone interview has been completed, a visit to the school or company has taken place and references have been checked. Maybe even testing has been done to determine an employee’s management style. When all of these hurdles have been crossed and the finish line is in sight there is one last step….negotiating the offer. This can be stressful for both the employer and future employee. Usually by this point the employer has expressed a strong interest in a candidate and vice versa but that does not mean all is set in stone. Here are a few tips for candidates that are working through this process:
1. Do your research. Know what the salary range is for the position that you are applying for.
2. Know the company. Is this a small but growing company or a national operation? A newer organization may be less able to pay top dollar from the start but this could be balanced by growth opportunities down the road. A national company may have salary ranges pre-set for specific positions and hiring managers may be required to work within these mandates.
3. What about cost of living? Will you be looking at a less or more expensive area if relocation is necessary. If one is making 80,000 in northern CA and a company is offering 80,000 to relocate to TX that may be reasonable. The cost of living can be significantly less in certain areas and that will definitely play a role in what a company can provide.
4. What unique skills can you bring to the table? Do you have experience in areas that are likely to make you more valuable than the typical person in your position? Of course, this depends on whether these skills are needed in the organization that you are speaking with. For example, if you are an expert at internet recruiting that could be an asset but only if a company is planning on doing internet recruiting.
5. Lastly, keep the long term relationship with this potential employer in mind when talking salary and compensation. This is your first opportunity to show an organization that you are a level-headed, serious professional. A counter offer that is unrealistic could leave a company with a bad taste in their mouth. Show them that you are a true leader with reasonable expectations and sound logic.
