Week 10: Negotiation and Offer Letters
How to Negotiate the Salary and Benefits You Want
Video Time:13 Minutes Action Time: 2 Hours – 1 Day
Why Negotiating is Key to Your Success!
1
Prepare ahead of time
You already know the average pay for your position, you’ve researched websites like GlassDoor. You need to know what you want from a salary and benefits standpoint. This is probably your first time having to negotiate, so being prepared will help make you feel less nervous.
2
Always be positive, polite and professional!
Smile! Keep it relaxed. You want to either be face-to-face (this is ideal), on a video conferencing, or worst case, on the phone when negotiating. Do not negotiate over email or text, ever.
3
Negotiating is a back and forth conversation.
And you want to ideally get the deal done in one sitting! You want to read visual clues and understand what is going on during the dialogue.
5
Whatever they tell you, write it down.
If they give you a letter, read it carefully, if they list off the offer, write it down because you are going to repeat it out loud to them. By writing it down, you can memorize what’s said and repeat it back to them, if needed. Plus, it proves that you can write. A useful skill in the workplace!
6
If they give you a letter, read it carefully.
If they give you two, it means they LIKE like you.
7
In the job interview, it’s important to repeat what the interviewer says, nod your head in a positive “yes.”
You want the interviewer to think positive thoughts regarding you.
8
Be aware of your facial features, demeanor, and tone when asking a question.
A scowl, a smile, and a lustful wink tell very different messages.
Let's Get Down to the Nitty Gritty
The point here is to practice as much for negotiating as you do for interviews! Ask open-ended questions! This encourages discussion. For salary, ask for more than you expect because you may end up getting it, or they may try to negotiate lower or meet you halfway. Win-Win situation. Consider the WHOLE package and negotiate ANY other BENEFITS!
Examples
- The Accommodating Interviewer:
This person will give you everything you ask for. If you don’t walk out with a gargantuan salary, full healthcare coverage, and one of their children, you didn’t try hard enough.
- The Negotiating Interviewer:
They are similar to the Accommodating Interviewer, but their persona starts to change. They may not be able to make a decision on what you request so you may have to wait. If you don’t want to wait, that’s okay. You can pass on a request and come back to it at a later time.
- The Non-Negotiating Interviewer:
This person’s go-to is “NO.” If you get the dreaded “No,” don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t be intimidated by the “no” or the interviewer’s new attitude. Remember the 3 “C’s” when dealing with this interviewer. Remain calm, cool, and collected.
Negotiations can go a number of ways. These conversations, although annoying, can help you understand more about the company and how they work. So be persistent and continue to ask questions until you’re completely satisfied.
Some example questions would be, “Is that the case for promotions as well?” “What happens if I’m exceptional and rise quickly to leadership positions?” “Would you still treat me like others even if I exceed them?” The point is to practice as much for negotiating as much as you do for interviews. And keep in mind, asking open-ended questions will encourage discussion.
1
For salary, ask for more than you expect.
Because you may end up getting it, or they may try to negotiate lower or meet you halfway. Either way, it’s a win-win situation. Consider the whole package and negotiate any other benefits you see fit.
Example
“I’m a veteran so I won’t be using the company health benefits. Could I get the difference added to my salary since the company won’t be paying for my health insurance?”
Ideas for Talking Points on Working From Home:
- Working from home is cheap and better for the environment!
The company won’t have to provide you with electricity, food, water, shelter, toilet paper, a gender-inclusive bathroom (if applicable). Just like The Beatles, all you need is love!
- It’s better for the environment.
Virtual work reduces the carbon footprint of the company, creates less waste, and shows a lean into the future! By not having to travel to and from the office you’ll reduce personal emissions and as such be less guilty of the environmental apocalypse that’s slowly encroaching upon humanity as we speak.
- In certain cases, it also increases productivity!
As a virtual employee, you’d have better control of your own hours, as all the materials to work from home are already there! People who work from home are happier! Happier people work faster and better due to less existential crying than those common plebeians chugging away in their office cubicles.
Last thought on benefits! If working from home is attractive to you, ask to do that. Use the company savings as the reason why they would do it. Below we have more ideas and resources to help you develop your talking points on working from home virtually! We have a link that outlines a few benefits of working from home.
If you’d like to do a virtual internship with us please click the following link.
2
Don’t be afraid to get creative when working on negotiations.
If you are on your spouse’s health coverage plan or you are a veteran, use those benefits to your advantage. For example, “I’m a veteran so I won’t be using the company health benefits. Could I get the difference added to my salary since the company won’t be paying for my health insurance?” Convert this opportunity into something that means more to you; whether that be time off, more salary, hair plugs, a parking spot, a golden toilet in your office, etc. just be sure to ask for it.
3
If you prefer working from home, it’s as simple as requesting to do so.
If you are on your spouse’s health coverage plan or you are a veteran, use those benefits to your advantage. For example, “I’m a veteran so I won’t be using the company health benefits. Could I get the difference added to my salary since the company won’t be paying for my health insurance?” Convert this opportunity into something that means more to you; whether that be time off, more salary, hair plugs, a parking spot, a golden toilet in your office, etc. just be sure to ask for it.
Check out the next episode on “Offer Letters and Managing Multiple Offers.”See you there!