The best way to negotiate with your Employer


• Public sector employees typically have salary scales for classes of jobs, and inexperienced hires usually start at the first step on the scale.
• To an employer, having first-class or being a fast learner are normally not justifiable reasons for a higher salary.
• Employers are less likely to negotiate in a tight economy.
• Employers need to consider equity for other candidates and existing employees.
What else to negotiate
  1. Start Date: new employees must accrue leaves/vacation time and it may be a while before you’re eligible.
  2. Performance Bonus: received at the end of the year and based upon your performance or the organization’s performance.
  3. Early Performance Review and Salary Review: propose an early review date tied to a potential salary increase.
  4. Annual leave/ Vacation: if you want an extended vacation in December and you start work in August, negotiate in advance for time off.
  5. Professional Development: employers often cover professional association dues  and conference fees; some employers offer tuition reimbursement as well. 
  6. Relocation Expenses: reimbursement for moving expenses.
  7. Signing Bonus: a onetime cash bonus received when you start working.
Dos:
• Make sure you’ve done your research on the salary you should expect for the position you’re seeking. 
• Be aware of your strengths and achievements. Also be sure to demonstrate the value you’ll bring to the employer. 
• Let the employer make the first salary offer.
• If asked, say you expect a salary that is competitive with the market or give a salary range that you find acceptable. 
• Thank the employer for the offer when it is made.
• Get the offer in writing!
• Take time to consider all factors (benefits, team you’ll be working with) before making any job offer decisions. 
• Negotiate salary if the offer made is inadequate.
• Consider negotiating benefits (bonuses, vacation/leaves time) in lieu of  negotiating salary. 
Don’t:
• Bring up salary before the employer does. Delay salary negotiation until you know exactly what the position entails. 
• Inflate your current earnings just to get a higher salary offer. 
• Feel obligated to accept the first salary offer.
• Get overly aggressive in negotiating the salary you want. 
• Focus on salary alone. Consider the entire compensation packages (insurance, bonuses). 
• Enter salary negotiations as part of an ego trip or part of a game. 
• Accept an offer if you’re not sure about the job or company. It’s worth the wait for the right career “fit”. 
  • Note: When all goes as planned, you’ll be able to accept the offer that works best for you. The tough part will be declining offers you received. The acceptance goes beyond saying “yes!”. Once you commit, the company expects you to follow through. Once you have made a commitment, send a note thanking the other employer(s) you have interviewed with and let them know that you have accepted another offer. This will be appreciated by the employer and will keep  your positive interactions with them intact. Chances are that if you stay in the same field for a while you will see them again, so trust us on this.

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