You’re excited because you got an offer! Negotiate the terms of your job offer before you accept it. This is your opportunity to begin building a relationship with your new employer while creating a satisfying compensation package for yourself.
Begin to research what the appropriate salary would be for the job or position you’ve been offered. Websites such as Payscale.com, Salary.com and glassdoor.com can give you good information.
Find out what else might be negotiable in addition to salary; some possibilities might be:
- Health insurance. What health plan(s) are available to you? Are there copays? Does it cover dental and vision care?
- Retirement plan. What kind of retirement plan, such as a 401(k), is available? Does the employer match employee contributions?
- Bonuses. Is a signing bonus offered? Is there a performance bonus? Asking about bonus plans can be especially useful if the company cannot meet your salary requirements.
- Stock Options. If stock options are a part of the package, you can ask for more options or a change to the terms.
- Vacation Time. You can ask for more vacation time or you can negotiate that you start accruing it up front. How long do you need to remain with the company to start taking paid vacation time?
- Sick time. What is the employer’s policy on paid sick time? How would you accrue sick days?
- Working Remotely. What are the options for working from home (WFH)? For office-based jobs, this benefit has recently become very popular for both employers and employees. Many companies are planning to give up their offices, even beyond the pandemic.
- Flexible schedule. Does the company allow a four-day work week or some flexibility in the work day?
- Allowances. You may be given a car allowance if you need to use your car for your job. Or, if you work remotely, what work from home expenses or reimbursements will the employer cover, such as Internet connection, telephone, home office furniture, computers, etc.?
- Educational Stipends. The company may pay for some or all of your education if it’s relevant to your work.
- Severance Package: It may seem odd to think about this now, but a little like a prenup, it might be best to think about it when both parties are feeling positive about their relationship.
These are just suggestions. But…be careful to select only a small number of issues to request!
You want to make it absolutely clear that your priority is the job itself and not that you’re accepting the position just because you would like all the benefits. So accept the position enthusiastically and choose a small number of items to negotiate.
Enjoy the job!
If you’d like some coaching about a job offer you’ve received, please contact Judi Lansky at jlansky@lanskycareerconsultants.com.
