Do you wish to know how to negotiate a job offer? You are at the right place! Well, it’s uncommon for prospective employees to accept whatever offer the would-be employer puts forth without negotiating for more. Unless the employer explicitly stipulates that their offers are non-negotiable, that’s typically a mistake. In fact, because they expect job applicants to negotiate salary, employers typically offer somewhat less than they are willing to pay.
Well, here are some do’s and don’ts of negotiating a job offer.
Tips To Negotiate A Job Offer
Below are some key tips to negotiate a job offer. Make sure you try to follow them!
- Do Not Underestimate The Possibility
This sounds basic, but it’s integral – People will fight for you only if they like you. Anything you do in a negotiation which makes you less likable reduces the chances that the employer will work to get you a better offer. This is about being more polite and managing some inevitable tensions in negotiation, like asking for what you deserve without looking greedy, pointing out deficiencies in the job offer without seeming petty and being persistent without being a nuisance.
Negotiators can usually avoid such pitfalls by evaluating how others are likely to perceive their approach.
- Help Employers Understand Why You Are Deserving
It’s not enough for them to like you. They also have to believe you are worth the offer you want. So, never let your proposal speak for itself – always tell the story that goes with it.
In simpler terms, don’t just state your desire; explain precisely why it’s justified, i.e., why you deserve more money. In case you have no justifications for demand, it might be unwise to make it.
- Be Prepared For Tough Questions
Many job applicants have been hit with difficult questions they were hoping not to face, i.e., do you have any other job offers?, if we make you an offer, will you say yes?, etc. If you are unprepared for such questions, you might say something evasive or untrue.
Well, the advice is to never lie in a negotiation. It will come back to harm you. Moreover, the other risk is that you might try to please and end up losing leverage.
The point is that you need to prepare yourself for questions that might make you uncomfortable or expose your weaknesses. You need to be honest without looking like an unattractive applicant.
- Focus On The Questioner’s Intent and Not The Question
If, despite the preparation, someone comes at you with a question that you didn’t expect, remember this simple thumb rule: it’s not the question that matters, but the intent of the questioner. Often, the question is complex, but the questioner’s intent is benign.
In addition, if you do not like the question, there is no need to assume the worst. Instead, answer in a way that addresses what you think is the intent or ask for a clarification of the problem the interviewer/ recruiter is trying to solve. Also, if you engage in a genuine conversation regarding what the employer is after and show the willingness to help him resolve the issue he has, both of you will be better off.
- Don’t Negotiate Just To Negotiate
Another way to negotiate a job offer is to know that you don’t need to negotiate just to negotiate. Simply put, you have to resist the temptation to prove that you are an excellent negotiator.
If something is important to you, it’s good to negotiate. However, don’t haggle over everything. Fighting to get a bit more can rub people the wrong way and can limit your ability to negotiate with the organization/ company later in your career when it might matter more.
- Remember, They Are Not Out To Get You
Tough salary negotiations or long delays in confirming a formal letter can make it seem that potential employers have it in for you. But if you are far enough along in the process, these people like you and will continue to like you.
Unwillingness to move on to a specific issue might simply reflect constraints you don’t appreciate entirely. A delay in getting an offer letter might imply that you are not the only concern the hiring manager has in life. So, stay in touch, but be patient.
However, don’t call up in frustration or anger if you can’t be patient. It’s better to begin by asking for clarification on timing and whether there’s anything you can do to help move things along.
- Maintain A Sense Of Perspective
This is the most integral point if you wish to negotiate a job offer. You can negotiate like a pro and still lose out if the negotiation you are in is the wrong one. Thus, your satisfaction hinges less on getting the negotiation right and more on getting the job right.
Moreover, experience and research demonstrate that the industry and function wherein you choose to work, your career trajectory, and the daily influences on you can be more integral to satisfaction than the particulars of an offer.
Conclusion
Negotiating a job offer effectively requires preparation, clear communication, and confidence. Begin by researching industry standards and understanding the full scope of the offer, including salary, benefits, and other perks. Also, be flexible and open to compromise while ensuring that your essential needs are met. Lastly, it is best to practice active listening and maintain a professional demeanor throughout the discussion. Thus, successful negotiation leads to mutually beneficial agreements, setting a positive tone for your future with the company.
