Follow these tips to negotiate and improve your chances of turning your next offer into your dream job.
Show Gratitude
First things first: make it clear that you are grateful for the job offer.
Although you should hold back from formally accepting until you’ve finished the negotiation process, it’s good practice to express your thanks for the opportunity right away.
Be Confident (Not Confrontational)
Project confidence with your language and actions during negotiations. Instead of beating around the bush, be direct in your requests and honest about the kind of job you want.
With that in mind, it’s also important to make a positive impression on the hiring manager. Throughout negotiations, you should be friendly and approachable. Treat the negotiation as an open dialogue, not an argument.
For this reason, it’s best to keep negotiations limited to in-person or phone conversations. Email and other written communication can make it difficult to convey tone. You may come across as demanding rather than determined.
Set Priorities
Once you decide to negotiate an offer, it’s critical that you set some priorities.
It’s rare that employers give candidates everything they want in a counteroffer. You can stay prepared for pushback by deciding what aspects matter the most to you. That may be a higher salary, better perks and benefits, specific working hours, or something else.
Understand Their Limits
Negotiations are a two-way street. In order to approach the employer with a reasonable counteroffer, you need to understand what they are (and aren’t) capable of delivering.
If you’re discussing an offer with a startup or small business, you will not have as much room to bargain as you would with a large corporation that has more resources.
On a similar note, federal government jobs and many university positions come with a set pay grade. While you can negotiate within the set range, there is a ceiling to how much you can request in compensation.
Familiarizing yourself with these limitations in advance will help you during discussions about salary, benefits, work environment, and the terms of employment.
Quantify Your Value
To make a case for receiving a higher salary or more extensive benefits, you need to demonstrate the worth you’ll provide to the company.
If possible, you should pull information from past jobs, including salary data, performance reviews, and other metrics that indicate your value as an employee.
Start Your Job Search with ABBTECH
Want to make your job search easier? Contact with ABBTECH and start matching with the best IT job opportunities in businesses and organizations of all sizes.
A tech staffing firm based in Sterling, VA with over 30 years of experience, ABBTECH helps talented IT professionals connect with jobs across the United States. Visit our Career Portal to find your next position today.