Searching for a new job is challenging enough by itself. Once you receive an offer or multiple offers, you then have to decide if it is the job you truly want. More importantly, you have to know how to negotiate the terms you want. Here are a few things to consider when negotiating a counteroffer.
Do It Face-to-Face
To start, negotiations should be done face to face or, at the very least, over the phone. This way, there isn’t a bunch of back-and-forth via email during the negotiation. Once you’ve had the initial discussion, move forward and get the terms you discussed in writing. You can get the confirmation via email. Be sure to also have the negotiated terms added to your offer letter before signing.
Know What You’re Worth
Before you head into the conversation, research what other people in your industry are getting paid to do your job. Use publicly available information, such as Glassdoor, to get details on what other people performing similar work are being paid. You can also network with colleagues to find out what a reasonable salary for the position is.
Ask the Employer About Wages
Ask the employer directly how they came up with the salary for the position. Say something like, “After taking the time to review the position and its responsibilities, it seems like you are asking for a lot of heavy lifting. How did you come up with the salary?” You can then move forward by asking them how much they may be willing to negotiate.
What Else is Negotiable?
Discuss what other terms are negotiable. If there isn’t much room for increasing the salary, consider what else might be negotiated. Ask about health insurance, paid time off, remote work, and other perks that interest you. Having these additional benefits can add a lot of value to a job offer.
Consider Asking for a Prorated Bonus
Maybe the salary the employer is offering right now isn’t meeting your expectations. They may be willing to increase your salary after a set period of time or if you have met certain objectives. You can also ask for a prorated bonus. Oftentimes, new hires are not eligible for end-of-year bonuses if they didn’t work with the company throughout the entire year. This can be negotiated tough.
Explain Why It Falls Short
If the employer’s offer is still not meeting the mark, explain why. You can share information about what other people in similar positions are making and how your skills and experience add value to your work. Once you have discussed this, propose an appropriate figure for your salary. If you do this, be prepared to discuss hard questions and why the salary should be higher.
Don’t Give Ultimatums
Lastly, don’t give the employer any ultimatums. It won’t get you good results. Instead, provide them with facts about your experience, industry standards, and what you deserve to earn. Ultimatums will likely get you passed up altogether while facts will gain consideration.
The Staffing Resource Group can help you field job offers and negotiate the best rate, benefits, and job terms possible for you. Contact our team of professionals to see how we can assist you.
