Career Tip: Negotiating the Job Offer

Negotiating the Job Offer!

299 graduates marched across the stage Saturday and joined the rest of us in “the real world.”  As a university staff member, nothing is more rewarding than seeing the sense of joy and accomplishment on the faces of the graduates as they accept their diploma.  When a graduate’s foot leaves the stage, however, many times you can actually see the reality of “OH *#@%!  I HAVE TO GET A JOB!” hit them like a ton of bricks.  In previous newsletters, we have discussed the tools of the trade needed for a successful job search…a good resume, networking skills, interviewing skills, professional image checklist, business etiquette, etc.  This week, we will discuss the next step…what happens when the offers come rolling in!!!  

1.   WAIT FOR IT…WAIT FOR IT… - Sometimes the job search can be like my early dating career - rejection after rejection.  But like my mom always said, “Don’t settle for second best.  The perfect one is coming along.”  Let’s face it; there will be some interviews you go on just to make yourself feel better.  Maybe the job isn’t right, but you just want to feel wanted – or – you use the excuse, “the practice will be good for me.”  A word to the wise…if you aren’t at least 75% sure that you would take the offer, don’t waste the employer’s time and resources.  Get your practice in somewhere else.  Also, don’t be too anxious to take the 1^st job that rolls around.  If you have your heart set on a “REALISTIC perfect job,” and can afford to wait, by all means – wait – just be prepared to execute “Plan B” in case the offer doesn’t come through as you had hoped.

 2.  THEY LIKE ME!  THEY REALLY LIKE ME!  -   All your hard work has paid off and the offer finally came through…just sign on the dotted line, right?  WRONG!  Before they reserve your parking spot, there are a few things you should consider!  Need some help remembering?  Tune your radio to the 80’s station:  

• TOO LEGIT TO QUIT – Listen to MC Hammer, is the offer legitimate?  Did the authorized person extend the offer or was it a call from an assistant to the assistant to the assistant??  Also, if the offer sounds too good to be true…it probably is.  Be wary of jobs that require you to pay a “training fee” up front…I mean, really…do you actually think that you will be able to make six figures your first year out?!?!?  Use your noggin! 
• GET OUT OF YOUR DREAMS, GET INTO YOUR CAR! – Before you take the job, make sure that you can actually get to work without having to get up at 4am.  Your commute time can make a big difference in your work/life balance.  Spending hours each day crammed into a bus or trapped in a car can get old…fast!  Also, many big cities may require you to pay for parking, which can be quite costly.  Be sure that you have worked that into your budget. 
• MOVIN’ ON UP TO THE EAST SIDE – Another thing to consider is if there is room for advancement in that position?  Be on the lookout for training seminars and ask people how long they have been in their current position.  A position in a fast moving company could see you in a management position in just a few years. 
• BABY’S GOT HER BLUE JEANS ON – …well…maybe just on Fridays.  Seriously, if you are a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy, a position in corporate banking might not be good for you.  Company culture is reflected in the overall look and feel of the company.  If this is important to you, strongly consider it before you sign on. 
• 9 TO 5 – Dolly said it best: “Working 9 to 5 what a way to make a livin’.”  Know what type of work you will be required to do on a day to day basis.  Also, take note of how many hours you will be expected to work each day.  Some jobs may be “seasonal,” which will require more of your time at certain times of the year.

3. ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS – There is an art to salary negotiation:

• Rule number one is to do your homework.  Going into the offer you should have an idea as to what other people in your field, with your experience, in your area of the country are pulling down.  Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor & Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oco) for a listing of national averages or explore an occupation in the FOCUS Career Assessment (http://focus.deltastate.edu).  If an employer asks what kind of salary you were expecting, be careful!  NEVER give them a single number, rather a range based on research you have conducted.  Remember, they want to get you at a good deal, so don’t undersell yourself. 
• Rule number two is to judge how much wiggle room your employer has.  Many jobs will post a salary range.  You have every right to ask for the top of the range, but be ready to justify why you deserve that much money.  Businesses are in business to make money…you need to rationalize how an investment in you will result in an increase to the organizations bottom line.  Some employers may be stuck on a certain number, so test the waters in other areas in the compensation package. 
• Rule number three – compensation doesn’t mean salary alone.  Your compensation package is just that…a package of everything including, salary, health insurance, retirement, vacation time, company car/credit card, health club memberships, moving stipend, sign-on bonus, tuition reimbursement, etc.  If things aren’t where you want them, try negotiating on these points.  It might not be feasible for the boss to offer you another $10,000, so you might ask for a few extra days of vacation per year.  
• Rule number four – no means no!  At this point in your career, you can’t be too demanding.  A few years down the road when you have a proven track record then you can start referring to your salary as “figures.”    

As you can see, there is a lot to consider before you become part of the team.  Take your time and think through everything before you join the company.  For more information on accepting the job, feel free to stop by the Career Center.  Best wishes to you for a successful job search.

Source: Jason Umfress, 2006