blog the-art-of-negotiation

There are no standard rules around negotiating a job offer, and I am sure that if another recruiter were writing this entry they would give you different advice. I will however share with you my insights. First however I should give you my personal disclaimer: I rarely negotiate offers. I did not start out this way as a recruiter; I consciously formulated my offer plan to have a back-up, and perhaps even a second back-up should you decline. But over time, my opinions on hiring and my philosophy about my place in the process has changed. After hiring hundreds (maybe thousands) of people, I now think of the offer I am able to present to you as a personal reflection of my ability to accurately represent you and negotiate on your part to the business. I refuse to offer you lower than what is fair and equitable in the team. That being said, lots of people do still try to negotiate their offers. If you do want to negotiate, I have a few of my own bits of advice: #1- Be upfront from the beginning. If you have a “bottom line,” you should tell your recruiter in the first phone call and be willing to opt out if the position does not suit your needs. Likewise if you are willing to be flexible you should say that, too. #2- Know what you want. I know, everyone wants a big bonus and an increased salary and tons of stock, but you won’t likely get everything you want . . . so know what is important to you. If you are really worried about relocation and the high price of your mortgage, you should speak up so that your offer can be more heavily weighted towards those components. #3- Ask for something specific. Often times people will say they “are not happy” with the offer, but won’t give indication on what would make them happier. Be specific. #4– Be consistent. I take notes about what you say in my first conversation with you, and I refer back to them when I make the offer. I also check to see what you wrote on your application and ask the hiring manager what you said. If your story shifts along the way, it makes my job and the final outcome of your offer more difficult. #5- Know when to say “Yes." You should know your personal market value and know a good deal when you see it. Don’t ask for something just because you can, and when you get an offer that excites you and feels fair, say “Yes." It is like any other transaction; you need to act when the momentum is in your favor. More on negotiation in a few days . . . Jenna