Before getting your ideal job, you have to make some negotiations. Most people accept the first offer the company gives them without realizing there is room for negotiation, especially for non-salary perks. Let’s see which 7 things you can discuss before accepting the role.
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Negotiating is all about having the upper hand and the truth is, once a company extends you a job offer, you are in a powerful position. Most candidates decide not to negotiate for fear that they will seem too pushy and lose the job. You were offered the job because the company wants to hire you. Finding a qualified and worthy candidate is a lot of work for the recruiter so they would hate to lose you. This gives them an incentive to work with your terms to get your signature on the dotted line at the end of the day. So this is your chance to negotiate the terms of the job offer as well as some important perks to you.
The ideal time to talk about employee benefits is when you are negotiating the salary before accepting the job offer. Consider the whole compensation package, what it includes, and what you would like to ask for. Others will only concentrate on the salary but there is so much more to negotiate. Sometimes the employer may be unwilling to budge on the salary, but this allows you to negotiate for other things to compensate for that. Some of which include the following:
1. Money
If you have received the offer letter from the hiring manager, you have lots of leverage. When negotiating salary, aim for an amount that you feel reflects the skills and value you bring to the table. Get back to the hiring manager stating that you have some concerns about the salary even though you would really love to accept the job. Justify your concern with verifiable and reliable information on the current market rates for candidates with your skillset or title. Add to that by emphasizing the value you would bring to the table.
2. Job location
If the job you have been offered is in a different city, ask if the company can foot your relocation expenses as you discuss the job offer. Most companies will cover one-time moving expenses for their employees by helping them find a new place and transfer there.
Working remotely is also a reasonable request, especially in these uncertain times of COVID-19 and its many variants. Most employers are open to telework currently but in such uncertain times, more employees will definitely request to work remotely. Pandemic aside, if you feel you can do more and work better in the peace and quiet of your home, you can ask to work from home for a couple of days a week. The frequency may depend on your needs. If this is a new concept to you, try asking to work from home one day a week and adjust from there.
3. Flexible working hours
Now more than ever, companies are willing to give their employees flexible work hours. Ask the employer if they can give you some wiggle room in your work hours if you have family commitments and believe in a good work-life balance. It is common for employees to want to be able to establish their own schedule while keeping a specific number of work hours. You may want to leave early to attend class or pick up your children from school. You can also request to start your workday a bit later and stay a bit later at work. As long as you are ready to show that you can do all your work and be on call during the allotted time, flexible work schedules can take different forms.
4. Phone and internet stipend
Many positions require employees to use personal devices or cater to some expenses out of pocket. You can negotiate for the company to reimburse phone and internet expenses, especially if you will be working from home part-time or full-time. Other expenses you can negotiate that are required for you to do your job include laptops, mobile phones, daily transportation, and client entertainment.
5. Health insurance
Health insurance is a highly valued benefit that you can also negotiate in your job offer. Ask if the company is willing to cover your health insurance partly or fully. If they can cover part of the cost, find out what percentage they are willing to contribute.
You may find yourself in a situation where the new employer contributes less than was being paid at your previous job. This could reduce your pay and you may have the leverage to ask for higher pay.
6. Job title
Another thing you probably didn’t know you could ask to change is the title of the job you are about to accept. If you don’t feel like the current title is an accurate reflection of your responsibilities and level of experience, you can ask if they can change it to something better. Job titles are kind of subjective and therefore, open to interpretation. It doesn’t hurt to ask your boss for another preferred or more senior title if it is something important to you. Employers are usually open to negotiating this because it doesn’t cost them a cent.
7. Paid courses reimbursement
For you to grow professionally and career-wise, you have to keep updating your skillset. Instead of more money, some people may want training or to participate in a company mentorship program. Discuss whether the company can sponsor a training course or a professional development program for you as part of the job offer. Inquire about internal training opportunities and if there can be a budget for advancing your education. Many employers include the option to reimburse expenses for certifications and additional education as part of the job offer. Others even offer to help employees pay off their student loans so you can include that in the negotiation as well. Educational reimbursements are a significant investment and you shouldn’t dismiss them. Consider it a win-win situation if the employer agrees to pay for your education.
Many people do not realize how much benefit and value we can offer the company. When negotiating, the employer is basically trying to convince you to work for the company while proposing to you the minimum. Every job offer is negotiable. It is up to you to know the power you hold and work out the terms of your offer so you don’t miss out on any added flexibility, perks, and compensation. Don’t be scared to showcase your value to the company so you can get the job offer you deserve.
