How to Get the Highest Job Offer Possible
The best part of the job search process is the offer negotiation. That means you’ve made it through the interview gauntlet, you’re the chosen one, and you’ve received the offer. It’s one of the best feelings.
I have a full section in my book, Made To Hire: How to Get the Job You Really Want, on negotiating a job offer, but for now, here are 5 things you can do to get the highest offer possible:
1. During the interview process when asked what your salary expectations are, reply by asking what the hiring pay range is for the position. If the interviewer presses you, make sure you’ve done your research on what the position should pay. Use payscale.com or glassdoor.com. If your experience justifies it then set your expectations at the high end of the range. Give an actual number, not a range. Giving a range just tells them you’ll accept the lower end of the range.
2. Don’t accept the position over the phone. Be grateful and gracious as you listen to the offer. Thank them for it, tell them you’re excited about the position, and ask them to email you the details. If you accept immediately over the phone, you lose any leverage you might have had. Keep in mind, they have screened and interviewed many candidates and they want YOU.
3. When you review the offer, consider all components– base pay, any commissions, any bonuses, the benefits package including health insurance and vacation, any relocation allowance (if applicable), any training or education allowance, and any retirement contribution matching or pension. Many components of the offer are negotiable. Even the job title may be negotiable.
4. Don’t negotiate all aspects of the offer at once. Focus first on the base salary. For example, if you know based on your research on payscale.com that the position should pay between $70-80K and your offer is a base salary of $72K, focus first on negotiating the base pay. Without having all the details on a specific situation or candidate, I’d counter at the top of the range (as long as your experience justifies it). The employer will likely counter back. I’d be willing to counter again one last time unless the employer says that’s the final offer, at which time I’d negotiate the other aspects of the offer such as a signing bonus, which typically isn’t included in most offers.
5. They’re expecting you to negotiate. Realize that as long as you’re professional, polite, and excited about the opportunity, negotiating isn’t going to hurt you. Also realize how you represent yourself during the negotiation is an indication of how you’ll represent the company. Be confident but not arrogant. Be flexible but don’t be a pushover. They’ve already decided they want you. Now let’s get you the highest offer possible!