You excelled in the interview, you’ve been offered the job, and now
you’re down to negotiating the deal…
But how do you make sure you secure the best deal for yourself?
A few tips:
Know your worth
Know your worth
You may have an
idea of what you are worth based on anecdotal information about what people
like you are paid, but you will need something a little more scientific if you
are to convince a future employer. Have a comparison list with you in the
interview. Write out the requirements for the job, as listed in the
advertisement. Add any extra skills you believe are important for the role.
Then tick those items that you closely match. This gives you a physical list of
your strengths as compared to the employer’s needs, and a negotiation base.
Timing is important
Think of the timing
and importance of the things you want to negotiate, and acknowledge that some
things are not negotiable. Pushing in the wrong direction will only cause
friction, and may distract you from pursuing a more productive avenue. For
example, don’t ask for a car of a specific make or a house in a particular
locality. You could be seen as over-confident or, worse, over-demanding.
Look at the whole package subjectively
Some companies have
their hands tied when it comes to salary, but may have a number of other
benefits that will raise your overall remuneration to a figure that meets your
expectations. Consider the tax benefits and liabilities of having a company
car, for example, or the opportunity for flexible working or working from home,
if this is important to you.
Work towards a win-win situation
It is possible to
be too good at negotiating. Squeezing every last penny out of your future
employer will not get the relationship off on the best footing. Remember that
you will most likely be working with the person you are negotiating your salary
with, so keep things convivial, lest your working relationship does not match
your salary. Be prepared to compromise. If you ask for six benefits and the
company comes back with two, settle for three or four and everyone will win.
It’s important that the outcome of the negotiation is a win-win situation.
Know your limits
Sometimes no amount
of negotiation will get you what you want. If it does not meet your needs, it
is time to stop rather than end up with the wrong deal. If not, then be upfront
as soon as possible, so that the interviewer can consider you in an enhanced
light or, alternatively, cut the process short to save time for all concerned.
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