Salary Negotiation: The biggest DOs and DON'Ts
You’ve gone through the application and interview process and you’re the chosen ONE. Finally!!! The company has decided that of all the applicants, they want YOU. So now is the time to leverage that, not give away all your power.
On your way into a company is your best time to negotiate. Raises are typically small (~3% annually) so it’s important to maximize your total compensation when you enter the company. So let’s get specific on things you should DO and should AVOID DOING when negotiating a job offer. It’s time to sweeten the pot.
What to do when negotiating a job offer:
When they make the offer, be excited and grateful.
Ask them to email you the details of the offer and let them know you’ll get back to them tomorrow.
Negotiate the most important thing first. For many people that’s the salary/pay.
When negotiating money, give them data to support higher pay (i.e. What you made in your last job, what payscale.com or glassdoor.com says that role typically pays, and any other relevant facts).
Once you’ve gotten as far as you can with your most important negotiation item, bring forth the other items you’d like to negotiate.
Realize there are many items you can potentially negotiate including: salary/pay, title, start date, retirement contribution, PTO, flexibility (WFM), relocation, signing bonus, annual performance bonus, stock options, expenses (cell phone, laptop, etc.), professional development, conference attendance.
Look at the offer as a whole. Don’t get too hung up on one factor alone.
What NOT to do when negotiating a job offer:
Don’t accept the offer over the phone. Get it in writing then negotiate it.
Don’t feel rushed or pressured.
Don’t negotiate all offer details at once otherwise the employer will give you items on your list that are the least valuable. But also don’t be annoying here. Get your big thing done then tackle the rest in one batch.
Don’t undervalue yourself. If they’re making you the offer, they want you. Be reasonable but confident.
If you have an offer and would like my help negotiating it, I offer 1-on-1 career coaching to do just that. And every client I’ve helped negotiate their salary has been very happy with how far we’ve moved from the original offer.