Negotiating a Job Offer
June 25th 2008 18:08
Should you accept what is initially offered when you are called about a new job? Well, how it is presented to you can help you decide if negotiations are futile. If you are specifically told, that the salary and other details are set and that negotiations will not be possible, then it’s probably a good bet that they are not going to budge. When you are made an offer, if they don’t say they won’t negotiate, than you have room to try and sweeten the deal a little bit.
When I accepted my last position, I was told upfront what they could do as far as my salary was concerned so I wouldn’t be surprised at the end. I was still what I wanted but they wanted to avoid negotiating later. I can live with that, especially since they were upfront with me.
If you think that you are worth more than what is offered, don’t hesitate to ask for it. Of course, don’t go overboard or you will find the offer disappear. Be reasonable and you may just find that the employer will sweeten their offer. If your view of yourself is overinflated, it won’t help you. But many employers go into the offer knowing that the candidate will want to negotiate. They probably have identified their limits and give you some room to ask for more. If you accept the offer as it is originally made, you are just saving them money so they will not want to admit that they would go higher.
So my advice is to ask. If you say nothing, you will get nothing.
When I accepted my last position, I was told upfront what they could do as far as my salary was concerned so I wouldn’t be surprised at the end. I was still what I wanted but they wanted to avoid negotiating later. I can live with that, especially since they were upfront with me.
If you think that you are worth more than what is offered, don’t hesitate to ask for it. Of course, don’t go overboard or you will find the offer disappear. Be reasonable and you may just find that the employer will sweeten their offer. If your view of yourself is overinflated, it won’t help you. But many employers go into the offer knowing that the candidate will want to negotiate. They probably have identified their limits and give you some room to ask for more. If you accept the offer as it is originally made, you are just saving them money so they will not want to admit that they would go higher.
So my advice is to ask. If you say nothing, you will get nothing.
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Comment by The Coach
If you are strident and demanding in your request (you'd be surprised how often your request sounds that way) you set a bad tone for starting a new job.
If you are clear and positive, "I am delighted to accept your offer and I would be more comfortable if the compensation was increased to $$$," the employer sees you as a cooperative person who can assert their needs. You have absolutely nothing to lose by asking for more money if you ask and not demand.
As a Job Search Coach, I tell all my clients to ask for more of something when made an offer just to put the employer on notice that you are able to take care of your own needs and are not a "yes" person.
Comment by Jen
Money Baffle