Job Negotiation: Articles and Tips to Help You

“Negotiate? — I am just happy to have a job!”

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Job Negotiation — Finding the Balance
Once offered a job, it is up to both you and your employer
to work out a fair and equitable wage/benefit package.

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Congratulations! All your hard work has paid off and now you have a job offer. Some people assume since the economy is in a recession jobseekers have no room to negotiate and should just accept any offer they get. This overlooks a couple important facts about the negotiation process.

Good job negotiation is not about control, force, or making sure you get a good deal while the other person suffers. Even in a good economy, relationships built on this kind of manipulation will not last long (no matter who has the upper hand). The purpose of job negotiation is to ensure that both parties are benefiting from the deal, and that the specifics of what is expected of each party is clear.

With that in mind, you still need to negotiate your job offer! Remember, if you have gotten this far it is because the company likes you and your work and feels you would be valuable to them. And if the company is offering you exceptionally low wages with the excuse of a down economy you do still have the ability to communicate your needs. The goal is to craft a win-win solution that everyone will be happy with.

After getting all the information, and research in hand, you can have an honest talk with your future employer. Remember, a few thousand dollars a year should not make or break a deal. A job that you will enjoy, has a good company culture, and values its employees will mean more to you in the long run. If they say the pay is low because of the economy or because the company is currently struggling will they raise wages when the economy improves? Or do they have a profit sharing program to benefit the employees as the company improves its financial position? Can you save money (gas, clothes, etc.) by working from home one or more days a week? The key is to demonstrate how whatever you are asking for also benefits the company, not just you. Think about things from their perspective and try to address any concerns they may have with your proposals.

Being creative and willing to think outside the box can ensure that both you and your employer are happy with the arrangement and that you can begin to form a healthy long-term relationship.