10 Negotiation Strategies For Effective Job Offer Negotiation

Use my negotiation strategies to secure yourself a better job offer once you've completed the round of interviews. If you already have a job offer on the table, which you think could be better, read on to find out about my proven top 10 negotiation tactics that will help you to get yourself a better salary and benefits package.

Frequently, organizations attempt to avoid negotiating by putting you on the spot and asking you to agree the remuneration package there and then.

However, don't be put off, this means they want you and that means there's room to apply some of these negotiation strategies to get the best deal you can. You owe it to yourself.

Top 10 Negotiation Strategies For A Better Job Offer

1. There's no need to accept the offer on the spot, but you MUST express your appreciation for their offer and find out how long you have to make a decision. If they try to push you say that you are minded to accept, but just need to weigh the implications first.

2. The package which is acceptable to you is not just about the salary, there are other factors which are critical to you personally as well. Know what you will accept and where you would compromise.

3. Other things like pension contributions, car expenses, relocation expenses, gym membership and medical insurance which also have a monetary value you will want taken care of first, then things like flexible working hours and other stuff that's important to you.

4. Be yourself and don't try to adopt a negotiation style that's not you. Conduct the negotiations bearing in mind the industry, the position and the person you're negotiating with. After all you do want to reach a conclusion that both of you are happy with.

5. Be patient and hold out for what you deserve, but remember that all negotiation strategies involve a willingness to walk away from an offer that is unsuitable.

6. If they ask what salary you're looking for, try to avoid being the first one to name a figure. Best to turn the question back and ask them what they had in mind to offer. Or, you could say that you're looking for a salary in line with what's typical for such positions and that you'd like to discuss the overall offer before discussing the actual salary.

7. If the employer pushes you further, then quote a range. Say that you thought a salary somewhere between $29000 and $33000 would be acceptable but the exact figure would depend on the actual position and other benefits. The lower figure should be the one you're happy with.

8. Do some research first so that you know what salaries and benefit packages are currently being offered for similar appointments. Our negotiation strategies to get yourself a better job offer depend on up to date and accurate information.

9. To get to an initial figure for discussion, the prospective employer may well ask what your current salary is, so be sure to state your current salary grossed up for all bonuses, commissions, benefits that you receive. Don't just mention your pre-tax salary and DO NOT tell any lies, if you're caught out later, you could lose the job.

10. Be flexible. All negotiations are about some give and take. You might have to compromise on some points to gain something else that's important to you personally. By playing fair, you establish the basis of your future relationship with a new employer and if you're both happy as a result of your negotiation strategies, you can be certain that the relationship is off to the best start possible.

Negotiation Strategies © Career Consulting Limited 2010 All Rights Reserved

Want to learn more about salary negotiating skills?

Before you go into the interview, it is important to know what salary you want, what you need to live on, and what you will be prepared to accept. Spend some time working out your budget. Remember to factor into your calculations the remuneration you'll need in the future.

Decide what types of benefits are important to you. A compensation package might include: flexible work schedule, option to work at home, relocation expenses, pension and insurance plans, company car, holidays, stock options, profit-sharing, training opportunities, etc. By evaluating these beforehand, you can concentrate on bargaining using your negotiation strategies process.

It is important to know your market value. You can do this by consulting professional associations, job advertisements, business and trade periodicals, employment agencies, executive search companies, career-related websites, and on-line salary surveys.

Since salaries often vary according to location, you should research comparable positions at similar companies in your geographical area. Investigate your prospective employer's track record for making offers.

To strengthen your negotiating position, try to ascertain how urgently the company needs to fill the post. It also helps if you have another offer to consider.

Pay Raise Negotiation is the only way to end the frustration of feeling underpaid and the anger of knowing you should be making more. There is a problem though, the nervousness — considering you don't want to get fired, but you know you need to ask for a raise. Do you know how much you should ask for? When is the best time to ask? What type of letter should you write?

What you need to do is to collect your proof, but how do you present your case to your boss and start your pay negotiations?

Do you ask for a promotion, or just try to negotiate a salary increase? And how do know how hard you can negotiate for the most you can get?

Career Experts agree that you don't always get what you deserve, but you do always get what you NEGOTIATE! So the answer to the questions above has to be pay raise negotiation.

The truth is you can get more dollars out of your employer, and you can make a strong presentation (without being nervous) that will get you the extra spending money you need and want:

• Even if your company currently has a "salary freeze."

• Even if they say it "hasn't been long enough" since your last raise.

• Even if it "wouldn't be fair" to other people.

I've seen doubting, pessimistic, "hopeless" people ACT BOLDLY and "try" my proven techniques, and then in a matter of weeks they have successfully asked for a raise and negotiated a huge percentage increase.

"So how do I do it?" you say.

A Better Salary? Negotiate Your Way

By Peter Fisher

You can't force your boss to stump up more money, but you can attempt to negotiate a better salary. Here are some simple strategies that are easy to use and that will boost your case if used carefully.

1. Choose the best and most receptive time for your boss. Ask for a meeting midweek, when the initial issues of the week have been dealt with and the end of the week is in sight. Most people are in a slightly more amenable frame of mind at the midweek point;

2. Make sure you have all your performance statistics at hand to show how you have added value. Your boss is only interested in paying for results, so what can you show when it comes to pay raise negotiation?

3. Don't go in aggressively or in an adversarial frame of mind however much you need the extra money. Start pushing and you may as well forget it;

4. Use friendly language and gestures - the issue needs to be a "what can we do?" discussion, rather that a "what will you do?" confrontation;

5. Be prepared to chat about general business subjects before getting down to business;

6. Try to arrange your seat at an angle or around the corner of the table rather than directly face-to-face.

Pay Raise Negotiations Breakdown

These negotiations can break down over the smallest misunderstanding; so if there is any doubt over a statement or quoted fact make sure you query and get it clarified immediately.

Before you enter the negotiation, check your negotiation strategies here first. It just may make all the difference!

Peter Fisher is an expert Author and Publisher. He coaches and writes for people undergoing career change. Everything from deciding what you want to do and how to do it.

If you need more help with your answer, you need to get prepared with the right negotiation strategies!

Right now, from this web page, you have the perfect preparation materials.

There's room for you among the highest paid people in your industry if you are willing to open yourself to these proven ideas: Pay Raise Negotiation

You are here: Salary Negotiation Strategies

Return to Personal Marketing or go back to Your Career Change home page.

You can also search this site for more salary negotiation strategies to enhance your career success, or the whole of the web from here.