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NEGOTIATING AN OFFER CONGRATULATIONS!

After you have successfully convinced a hiring manager to extend you an offer you enter the final and critical stage of the interview process-evaluating and negotiating the terms of the offer. It is during this stage that you are empowered to accept or decline the offer based on what is satisfactory and important to you.

NEGOTIATING BEFORE YOU RECEIVE AN OFFER

The negotiation process should begin well before you receive an offer by
1) Knowing what you want and 2) Knowing your fair market value to the prospective employer. Morrelle Technical Search can provide assistance in helping you analyze and understand both of these factors. As far as salary is concerned, it is important to understand and accept the fact that a prospective employer is going to offer you a salary package based on what they perceive your qualifications and experiences to be worth. Although you may find that salaries vary from job to job, employer to employer, and from one geographic region to another, most companies have salary guidelines/limits that they will adhere to. These company guidelines are typically based on industry standards, cost of living factors, and knowing what the competition is offering. For more insight on determining what your technical skills are worth, we suggest that you do the following:

a) Consult with a Morrelle Technical Search recruiter
b) Network and survey people within your industry with similar skills
c) Research salary surveys on the internet. You can go online and search the Occupation Outlook Handbook.

DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN - IMPRESSIONS STILL COUNT

Receiving a job offer is a significant milestone in the interview process. However, this is not the time to let your guard down. It is imperative that you continue to make and sustain a favorable impression when you receive an offer up through acceptance. Make sure you let your employer know that you are excited to receive an offer. Lastly, do not turn off a prospective employer by telling them how many offers you are entertaining. Most companies expect that great technical talent will be highly sought after by many in the marketplace.

FACTORS TO NEGOTIATE

Once you receive an offer, here are some main factors you may consider negotiating:

á Compensation/Earnings. When evaluating a compensation package it is important to fully understand exactly what you are being offered or what can be offered. There are many aspects to compensation besides your base salary such as stock options, unique fringe benefits, performance/merit bonuses, car allowances, tuition assistance, licensing and certification assistance, and future salary increases based upon the completion of certain certifications and degrees. All of these possibilities have a dollar value associated with them and if your existing employer does not offer them you are already ahead of the game. As far as your base salary is concerned, you should have a fairly good idea of the competitive range (see Negotiating Before you Receive an Offer).

á Location. For certain types of positions, you maybe granted the option to choose where you live. This could be a significant motivating factor in deciding to accept a job if you can live in a location that is desirable to you.

á Reporting Date. Your prospective employer may offer you a flexible starting date if you ask. This could be a great time for you to take that long-awaited vacation to Hawaii or earn some extra time off to relax and take care your backlog of home chores.

á Relocation expense/signing bonus. You may want to consider negotiating for a relocation package or a signing bonus. Some companies may provide these benefits (i.e. travel expenses, mortgage assistance, shipment of household goods, lodging and food) to ease the transition from moving from one community to another.

á Early Performance Reviews. If a company offers salary increases that are attached to performance reviews, it might be possible to ask for an earlier review to increase your earnings sooner than normal.

NEGOTIATE WITH ONE COMPANY

You should strive to negotiate with one company at a time. If you have a multiple offer scenario, it is best to stay focused and put your energy into negotiating a win-win solution with your first choice. Consider negotiating with your second and third choice only after you have exhausted the possibilities of your first choice.

DON'T SAY YES UNTIL YOU MEAN YES

If you have invested the time to find out what is important to you in your technical career, you will make the right decision and not a hasty one. Accepting an offer is accepting a commitment to join a new team, a new beginning. Don't take this commitment lightly. Only say yes when you are comfortable in saying yes.

NEVER BURN YOUR BRIDGES

If you are unable to arrive at what you think is a fair and reasonable offer after negotiations commence, it is ok to say no. In the end, the only thing that matters is whether or not it feels right. Declining an offer should be done in writing and as soon as you accept another position. This is an important step because you may need this contact later on, so never burn your bridges. Your last impression maybe a first impression in the near future.