How should a candidate negotiate a job offer during interviews?
Research market pay and benefits for the role, keep a positive tone, and present evidence of your value when countering. Negotiate salary and perks like flexibility or bonuses, and be ready to walk away if expectations are not met.
So you did great in the interview, and you’ve got yourself a joining offer. Now it’s time to negotiate yourself a good deal.
Although it may feel uncomfortable to negotiate a new offer, it is worth the discomfort because you want to bag a package that meets your worth.
To become a good negotiator, you must be armed with all the information that you may need, and you should be clear about what you want.
And while salary may be the first thing that comes to mind when you talk about negotiating, it is not the only thing on the table that you can negotiate for. You can ask for additional benefits like a flexible schedule, vacation time, health coverage, signing bonuses, and so on.
Alright, so let’s get down to business and give you some tips that you can implement to negotiate a great job package.
Number 1. Do your research
As we stated earlier, being armed with all the information before you negotiate is how you’ll know what you can expect to get out of the deal.
Start by researching the average salaries for your role with respect to your skills, experience, location, and industry so that you have an understanding of a fair salary range.
See if you can talk to any current or past employees of the company to get an idea about the types of benefits and salary range you can expect to get from the role.
Number 2. Keep things positive and set realistic expectations
When you’re negotiating an offer with the recruiters, make sure to keep things light and positive. Do not show signs of anger or annoyance when and if the recruiters don’t agree to your terms.
Your expectations of a good deal must be realistic and should be consistent with the market and industry standards.
Remember that you can negotiate for other perks and benefits if the recruiters can’t meet your asking amount for salary.
Number 3. Build your case
Rather than simply giving a counter-offer with a higher number, highlight your specific skills and jot down concrete examples of how your skills and experience will benefit the company.
Make them see that you’re worth the investment and that you will be an invaluable asset to the company’s growth in the long run.
Number 4. Be prepared to walk away
If the offer doesn’t meet your expectations, you may be better off declining the offer.
Remember your worth and that there will be other opportunities.
After all, when you commit to a job, you’ll be investing your best in the company, and it’s only fair that you are compensated fairly for it.
And lastly, practice your negotiation delivery before you speak to the recruiter. You can note all that you want to cover and be clear about what you want out of the negotiation.
With this, we’ve come to an end for this module. We hope that you will follow these tips and bag yourself your dream job package.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What can you negotiate in a job offer besides salary?
You can ask for additional benefits like a flexible schedule, vacation time, health coverage, signing bonuses, and so on.
-
How do you research a fair salary range before negotiating?
Start by researching the average salaries for your role with respect to your skills, experience, location, and industry so that you have an understanding of a fair salary range. Also talk to current or past employees for insights.
-
Should you show anger during a job offer negotiation?
Do not show signs of anger or annoyance when and if the recruiters don’t agree to your terms. Keep things light and positive.
-
How do you build your case for a better offer?
Highlight your specific skills and jot down concrete examples of how your skills and experience will benefit the company. Make them see that you’re worth the investment.
-
When should you walk away from a job offer?
If the offer doesn’t meet your expectations, you may be better off declining the offer. Remember your worth and that there will be other opportunities.
-
What expectations should you set when negotiating?
Your expectations of a good deal must be realistic and should be consistent with the market and industry standards.
-
Can you negotiate perks if the salary request isn’t met?
Remember that you can negotiate for other perks and benefits if the recruiters can’t meet your asking amount for salary.
-
Should you practice your negotiation delivery before speaking to a recruiter?
Practice your negotiation delivery before you speak to the recruiter. Note all that you want to cover and be clear about what you want out of the negotiation.
-
Is it worth negotiating a new offer even if it feels uncomfortable?
It is worth the discomfort because you want to bag a package that meets your worth.
-
What do you need to become a good negotiator?
You must be armed with all the information that you may need, and you should be clear about what you want.
