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03.28.2019

How Do You Negotiate a Job Offer?

You’ve had the interview, you’ve had the second interview, and now you’re on the cusp of receiving the job offer. Congratulations! However, you’re not done yet; now you need to effectively communicate and negotiate your pay, benefits, and other position details in order to officially land the job.

Though it’s a topic that can be uncomfortable for some, being prepared to discuss pay with your potential new employer is important, as it’s a question that is guaranteed to come up if you’re the chosen candidate.

The salary process is a negotiation, which doesn’t guarantee you will get everything you’re asking for, but below are a few ways that may help you get close to what you would like:

  • Have a dollar amount in mind, and be ready to explain why you deserve that amount. For example, say something like, “Currently, I’m making $15 an hour but I’m looking to make $18 because of my certifications and skills.”
  • The employer may say they cannot offer you as much as you’re asking for. This is a good time to request another form of compensation such as additional vacation or paid time off (PTO).
  • Ask if you can undergo more training or certifications through the company to eventually reach the dollar amount you’re asking for. This will show the employer you have a desire to learn and grow within the company, and that you are willing to work for the pay you want.
  • Inquire about the benefits you will receive. If you will earn a great benefit package, the pay could be slightly lower, but you will be compensated through the benefits the company offers.
  • When asking for pay, don’t use factors outside of your work to negotiate. This means don’t say something like, “I need to make more money to pay off my debt.” Employers want to know what skills you bring to the table that justify the pay you request, not the situations you have in your personal life.

Early in the interview process, the employer might still be weeding out applicants, so don’t jump in with pay questions too early. It’s best to wait until after the second interview to discuss benefits and pay, unless the employer brings it up earlier. However, you should always be up front about where you are in the process. It’s common that people are doing multiple interviews at one time, and that’s okay. When negotiating pay with one employer, you may have another job offer on the table, but you’re waiting to see if Employer B is going to offer as much as Employer A. Let Employer B know you have a time-frame that you need to respond to Employer A within. Companies will respect your openness, and it lets them know your expectations. However, don’t say, “Employer A is willing to offer me this much; how much will you give me?” This can come across as pushy and can raise red flags about your employment goals.

Lastly, remember that this is still a negotiation. Don’t feel pressured to take a job that you don’t think will be a good fit. Faking the interview process in hopes of getting a job is not only unfair to you, it’s also unfair to your potential employer. Make sure you’re comfortable with the position and the pay before you accept any job offer and you’ll have much higher potential for job satisfaction in the long run.

Are you ready to get the best job offer? Faith Technologies offers a variety of opportunities for your career. Please visit our Careers page and find out not only the benefits of working with Faith Technologies, but the openings to get you started now.