Negotiating an offer
Congratulations! You got a job offer.
You do not have to accept the offer immediately– you can take 1-2 business days to research, weigh your options, negotiate, and get back to the employer.
You can also request to review the offer in writing if you haven’t already received it to aid in the process of determining your next steps.
Determining whether or not to negotiate
Determining your market value
Your market value takes into account factors including (1) the average salary for someone in your role, (2) how many years of experience you bring, (3) the cost of living in your area, and (4) the unique skill set you bring to this role.
A good place to start identifying your market value is to identify the average salary for the role or similar positions in your area. Online tools like Glassdoor, Payscale Salary Calculator, and Dice’s Salary Calculator can help you determine this. Factor in your experience, education, and specific industry. In addition to using online salary calculators, you can determine the average salary for someone in your position by talking to people you know in similar roles or at industry events. For example, asking, “What do you think someone with my background should be earning in X position?”
The cost of living where you reside is another important consideration when determining market value. If you live in an area where the cost of living is higher than average, your salary should reflect that. This is especially important to consider if you will be relocating for a new role. Tools like this cost of living calculator can help with this.
Next, consider the unique skills you can contribute to this position that add to your value. The more developed your direct skills or essential job skills are, the higher your market value is. Then, account for your complementary skills– any additional skills you possess that, while they may not be essential for this role, can be utilized by the company.
Making your pitch
When making your pitch, communicate (1) your interest in the position, (2) the current offer, (3) your requested compensation, and (4) your rationale (why this company should invest more in you).
After making your initial request, be prepared for some back and forth between you and the prospective employer. They may respond to you with a counter offer– which you can accept or decide to negotiate further. Also, be prepared for the possibility of the employer rejecting the request and sticking firmly to the original compensation package.
Example of how this exchange may go:
Candidate: I am so grateful to have been offered this position, and I appreciate your offer of $60,000/year with benefits. I think that $66,000/year would make more sense, given the importance and expectations of the position and my direct experience in this field. I also think my additional social media marketing expertise will directly impact your goal of increased event attendance in the coming year. That said, I want to make sure we make a deal that works for both of us. What are your thoughts?
HR: We do see the value in your varied skills. We can offer you $63,000.
Candidate: I understand that $63,000 is the most you can offer for my salary. If you can include four extra PTO days, I’m on board.
HR: We can certainly offer $63,000 and 3 extra PTO days.
Candidate: That would work well for me, I accept. Thank you for your flexibility!
We offer these tips and more in our Job Search Guide,
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