Authors: Ellen Gordon Reeves
Tags: #Non-Fiction, #Self Help
Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview?: A Crash Course in Finding, Landing, and Keeping Your First Real Job (44 page)
Are there cultural or other benefits like museum or health club discounts?
Are you eligible for a wardrobe allowance?
Are you eligible for more vacation time or flex hours such as half-day Fridays in the summer?
Can you take on extra responsibilities for more money? Are there opportunities to do freelance work that’s usually hired out?
Are stock options or other profit-sharing plans available?
Is there a sabbatical plan?
Is there a separation agreement?
Some people are natural negotiators; others dread the very idea. No matter what your personality, you can stack the odds in your favor by understanding five key points:
1.
The salary you accept is the starting point for future raises and the salary at your next job.
2.
The lowest number you state during a negotiation may be your salary. If you can’t live with it or on it, don’t put it out there, secretly hoping to make yourself an attractive candidate by looking inexpensive at first and then convincing the employer you’re worth more.
3.
The low end of your range should be higher than the lowest salary you would actually accept. That way, you leave yourself room to negotiate. (But don’t overdo it at the top of your range; you don’t want to appear uninformed or arrogant.)
4.
The employer’s job is to lowball you and pay you as little as possible; your job is to get as much as you can. This holds true especially for entry-level positions, as employers are apt to take advantage of your inexperience. It’s not evil, it’s just business. Companies are always looking for ways to cut costs.
5.
Your lifestyle choices, debt, or financial issues are not the employer’s problem. Never discuss your
needs
during negotiation; couch the discussion in terms of industry standards and what your skills and experience are worth.
NEGOTIATION DON’TS
Sometimes what you don’t say is as important as the information you do volunteer. Be especially on your guard while you’re negotiating the terms of an offer:
Don’t get specific until the time is right.
Only at second interviews or when the offer is presented should you inquire about benefits, vacation, typical length of tenure for the job, and the review process.
Don’t confuse a perk and a benefit, and don’t bring up perks during the negotiations.
A perk is something like a health club membership; it’s not considered a negotiable benefit, but rather an extra bonus offered to all employees. Wait until you’re on the job to look into it.
Don’t price yourself out of a job.
An employer is not going to pay an entry-level person $100,000 a year if the average base entry-level salary is $30,000. Be realistic and do your homework so you’re familiar with industry and regional standards.
Be positive, not adversarial.
You don’t want to warp a relationship with a potential employer during the negotiation.
Don’t lie about a previous salary in the hopes of making yourself look expensive.
The information is easily verifiable. Don’t volunteer your previous salary, but be honest if asked; be sure to factor in any bonuses and benefits.
Don’t undersell yourself.
The biggest regrets I hear are from candidates who simply accept an offer on the spot without negotiating and later find out others hired at the same time and level have higher salaries or better benefits—because they negotiated.
Don’t have anyone call to discuss benefits or salary or to negotiate on your behalf.
This is beyond unprofessional and I’ve heard of it happening—candidates actually having their parents call their employers. You should certainly ask mentors or parents for help and advice, but they should not be involved in your relationship with your employer.
