Know your worth
The salary and benefits package can make or break your decision about whether or not to take the job offer. After all, it denotes your worth, so it’s only fitting that you assert it. However, negotiating your compensation is not as straightforward as you think it is – you need the right tactics to do it right. Below, let’s talk about how you can do this without sounding too arrogant or demanding.
How do you negotiate a job offer?
Speak with a recruitment professional first.
This is a crucial first step before entering your job search. Recruitment professionals will provide essential market data to know what salary range works for your skillset, qualifications, and experience. They can also help with salary bands for each individual business in your market. After all, not every business works the same, so their remuneration bandwidth also varies.
Here’s an example of why it is important to consult with a recruitment professional:
We were recently working with a candidate who interviewed with a company that was running an independent campaign via Seek.com, after submitting a direct application to the business, he was invited for an interview. Upon meeting with the Human Resources team, He was was asked what his salary expectations were – $90,000 – $100,000 plus superannuation. Given WTP had previously worked with that organisation, we knew that the business were preparated to offer a salary range from $110,000 – $115,000 for someone with his level of experience and skills therefore the candidate represented himself lower than the brief and he did secure the role, but ultimately for a lot less than they would have been willing to pay.
The bottom line is that you need a thorough understanding of the market to ensure you are able to secure the best offer.
It’s not always about the money.
A stable salary is comforting, but there are other benefits you can negotiate aside from money! Are they willing to set flexible work hours or let you work from home on some days? Will there be paid liberty or ‘rest’ days? Or maybe, they provide other benefits such as health insurance, salary packaging, educational opportunities, and progression milestones so you can get promoted faster. Think outside of the (cash) box; you will be surprised to know whatelse most companies are willing to offer their talent!
Get it in writing.
Once everything is settled and agreed upon, get it in writing. Doing so will prevent misunderstandings after the fact and ensure you can enjoy the benefits you negotiated!
When done right, negotiating your work benefits can be an enlightening and fruitful process. Armed with these strategies, you should be able to negotiate the kind of job package that makes you happy, knowing that you made the right decision for your future.
