Negotiating with your Interviewer
You excelled in the interview,
you’ve been offered the job,
and now you’re down to negotiating the deal…
But how do you make sure you secure the best deal for you?
A few tips:
Know your worth
You may have an idea of what you are worth based on anecdotal information about
what people like you are paid, but you will need something a little more
scientific if you are to convince a future employer. Have a comparison list
with you in the interview. Write out the requirements for the job, as listed in
the advertisement. Add any extra skills you believe are important for the role.
Then tick those items that you closely match. This gives you a physical list of
your strengths as compared to the employer’s needs, and a negotiation base.
Timing is important
Think of the timing and importance of the things you want to negotiate, and
acknowledge that some things are not negotiable. Pushing in the wrong direction
will only cause friction, and may distract you from pursuing a more productive
avenue. For example, don’t ask for a car of a specific make or a house in a
particular locality. You could be seen as over-confident or, worse,
over-demanding.
Look at the whole package subjectively
Some companies have their hands tied when it comes to salary, but may have a
number of other benefits that will raise your overall remuneration to a figure
that meets your expectations. Consider the tax benefits and liabilities of
having a company car, for example, or the opportunity for flexible working or
working from home, if this is important to you.
Work towards a win-win situation
It is possible to be too good at negotiating. Squeezing every last penny out of
your future employer will not get the relationship off on the best footing.
Remember that you will most likely be working with the person you are
negotiating your salary with, so keep things convivial, lest your working
relationship does not match your salary. Be prepared to compromise. If you ask
for six benefits and the company comes back with two, settle for three or four
and everyone will win. It’s important that the outcome of the negotiation is a
win-win situation.
Know your limits
Sometimes no amount of negotiation will get you what you want. If it does not
meet your needs, it is time to stop rather than end up with the wrong deal. If
not, then be upfront as soon as possible, so that the interviewer can consider
you in an enhanced light or, alternatively, cut the process short to save time
for all concerned.
You excelled in the interview,
you’ve been offered the job,
and now you’re down to negotiating the deal…
But how do you make sure you secure the best deal for you?
A few tips:
Know your worth
You may have an idea of what you are worth based on anecdotal information about
what people like you are paid, but you will need something a little more
scientific if you are to convince a future employer. Have a comparison list
with you in the interview. Write out the requirements for the job, as listed in
the advertisement. Add any extra skills you believe are important for the role.
Then tick those items that you closely match. This gives you a physical list of
your strengths as compared to the employer’s needs, and a negotiation base.
Timing is important
Think of the timing and importance of the things you want to negotiate, and
acknowledge that some things are not negotiable. Pushing in the wrong direction
will only cause friction, and may distract you from pursuing a more productive
avenue. For example, don’t ask for a car of a specific make or a house in a
particular locality. You could be seen as over-confident or, worse,
over-demanding.
Look at the whole package subjectively
Some companies have their hands tied when it comes to salary, but may have a
number of other benefits that will raise your overall remuneration to a figure
that meets your expectations. Consider the tax benefits and liabilities of
having a company car, for example, or the opportunity for flexible working or
working from home, if this is important to you.
Work towards a win-win situation
It is possible to be too good at negotiating. Squeezing every last penny out of
your future employer will not get the relationship off on the best footing.
Remember that you will most likely be working with the person you are
negotiating your salary with, so keep things convivial, lest your working
relationship does not match your salary. Be prepared to compromise. If you ask
for six benefits and the company comes back with two, settle for three or four
and everyone will win. It’s important that the outcome of the negotiation is a
win-win situation.
Know your limits
Sometimes no amount of negotiation will get you what you want. If it does not
meet your needs, it is time to stop rather than end up with the wrong deal. If
not, then be upfront as soon as possible, so that the interviewer can consider
you in an enhanced light or, alternatively, cut the process short to save time
for all concerned.
