Negotiating

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter talks about the many things you can try to negotiate in the way of a job offer.

 

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We’re going to talk about negotiating today and looking at some of “the fringes” in a negotiation.

Often, people make a strategic mistake by receiving the offer and saying, “Yippee! I’m going to take it! This is fabulous,” when many firms expect there will be a negotiation (This is US-centric advice. In many other countries, negotiation is expected and normal).

So in negotiating salary, you have to not only consider the gross salary but your net salary. For example, if you work in the New York area but live in New Jersey, you have to look at the tax consequences of working in New York City, as well as your cost of commutation now that you are heading into the city. You may gross more but net less. So make sure you are looking at your net numbers and not just your gross ones.

Then, on the benefits side, you want to compare the cost of medical coverage, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, what’s the benefit to your 401K plan –how much can you put in and how much will be put in.  I have one client who will match 80% of what you  invest plus 3% of your total compensation. In effect, they are putting in more than you do.  Most firms match 50%.  Whatever it is, you need to know what it is.

What’s their vacation policy, personal days, religious holidays, sick leave policy, how they deal with maternity or paternity leaves, profit sharing and/or stock options, relocation, tuition reimbursement? Will they provide you with a company car and the ability to deduct expenses? Childcare coverage? A subsidized cafeteria?  Health club membership? Corporate discounts?

Although some things can’t be negotiated, many can be.

For example, you may be working for an organization without tuition reimbursement and the next firm will. You may be used to your firm paying memberships in professional groups and to attend specific events and conferences.  See if your new firm will pay for them.

When it comes time to do a negotiation, don’t always go to HR. They are usually there to say, “No.” They are the rules followers. Hiring managers will often do a negotiation and even if they can’t officially do something for you, they . We tend to be slower then.”may say to you, “Don’t sweat it. Take the week off at around this time.” Things like that you can often negotiate one on one with your new manager.

So, remember, there are lots of different items you can negotiate. Don’t ju, sound enthusiastic about joiningst run to HR. Go to the hiring manager and see if there are things that he or she can do to improve the offer.

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Do you think employers are trying to help you? You already know you can’t trust recruiters—they tell you as much as they think you need to know to take the job they after representing so they collect their payday.

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Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter has been a career coach and recruiter for what seems like one hundred years.

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