Negotiating a Salary Offer
Salary is a screening tool, which you many not be able to avoid up
front. With so much high-quality talent on the market today, it may
be necessary to consider taking less than you were making in your previous
job. Today employers know that they can pay less so determine ahead of
time what your own lowest number or salary range will be. If you are out
of the range your resume will be discarded. Research the current salaries
by location for your industry and job category, http://www.salary.com
. I know of people who have in fact improved both salary and benefits
in their new jobs, so don’t resign yourself to less too quickly.
What is the salary range? For every job there is a salary range.
Ask what it is. If your previous pay is near the top end of the range
you will have no place to go unless you can qualify for the next level
job. Find out what that next job might be and the prospects for being
promoted if you do an outstanding job in this one.
The hiring managers can influence where in a salary range you will
be put. During your interviews get as clear a picture of the current
problems and opportunities, responsibilities and authority level for the
job as possible. You want to ascertain how quickly you feel you can make
a highly visible and valuable contribution to the organizations goals.
In other words, you need enough information to be able to make a convincing
argument for why you should be paid the salary you are seeking.
The first offer is seldom the best offer so be prepared to negotiate.
Could there be a compressed performance/salary review time, say at six
months instead of a year? Ask what is the usual or allowed percentage
for raises? Is a sign on bonus possible? Keep in mind that the bonus will
be taxed so, if a sign on bonus is possible, can it be rounded up so you
get a specific amount after taxes?
Performance Bonus? Depending on the level and kind of job you are
seeking, do you believe that you can make a measurable bottom line difference
(money saved or earned) on which you could be given a bonus? If so, how
will that be measures and over what in the situation will you have direct
control?
See “Write Your Own Report Card”
and “Proving Your Value to Clients
and Your Boss” under articles on my website.
Training. If you are in a high technology field, staying current
on the latest developments in your area of expertise may be critical.
Ask what kind of budget is allocated to individual on-going training,
including trade publications, seminars and conventions. This is worth
money even if it is not in your pay check and you don't have to pay taxes
on it.
Tele-Commuting. Today many companies are saving money by having
employees work from home part or all of the time. If this is a desirable
option for you, will the company provide the computer and software, a
fax and extra phone lines, DSL etc.? If you are in sales will the company
pay for cell phone costs?
Are there other benefits, such as a car, offered that could make
up for somewhat less in salary? For many people today a short commute,
flextime, more paid or unpaid vacation time can be worth some difference
in salary.
Relocation coats. Although, almost non-existent
today, for the right candidate, relocation packages, swing loans and buy-outs
for unsold homes may still occasionally be available but don't count on
it.
Before you make a decision, consider all the aspects of the benefits and
compensation package as part of your salary discussion and be prepared
to negotiate.
Joan Bolmer, 3307 Lake Ridge Bend, Spring TX, 77380;
Office 832.458.0455
Copyright (c) 2007-2010, by Joan Bolmer, all rights reserved. Contact
Joan Bolmer by e-mail at joan@bolmer.com Website: http://www.bolmer.com
Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute
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