what benefits to negotiate in a new job

17 Benefits (Other Than Salary) You Can Negotiate When You Take a Job

1. How much paid time off you get “Make sure to ask for work-life balance perks you care about, like paid time off. ...
2. Your hours “Having a flexible work schedule can be invaluable, depending on your situation. ...
3. The ability to work from home “Working from home is becoming increasingly popular, and it’s a completely reasonable ask for most jobs. ...

More items...

Full Answer

Why you should negotiate a job offer?

… whatever our circumstances, Joseph Barber writes, we should all negotiate for something as part of our next job offer. Negotiation is an important way to advocate for your professional skills and experiences.

What should I consider before accepting a job offer?

You also need to know these details:

• How often you'll get paid.
• Whether there's a bonus plan, and if so, what that bonus plan entails.
• When your performance and salary review will take place.
• Whether or not you're eligible for overtime, and if so how that overtime is calculated.

How to negotiate salary and job offer?

How to ask for a raise — negotiating a higher salary & more

• Know and Prove Your Value. Understanding your worth is the bread and butter of helping you make your case to finally get that raise.
• Rehearse Your Pitch. Don't go into your meeting with your boss unprepared. ...
• Have a Backup Ask. Why is asking for a raise so scary? ...
• Timing is Everything. ...
• Leverage Another Career Opportunity. ...
• Pitch New Ideas. ...
• Don't Be Afraid. ...

How to negotiate, accept, or decline a job offer?

• Think about what you want out of your job and use that as a framework to determine the elements of the offer you would like to alter
• Be selective about what you push back on
• Employ classic negotiation techniques by maximizing the cost of the things you are prepared to accept and minimizing the things you seek.

What can I negotiate when getting a new job?

Things to Negotiate in a Job Offer (Perks and Benefits)Flexible Work Hours. Whether you work in-office or remotely, flexible work hours make your life a lot easier. ... Remote Work. ... Your Start Date. ... A Signing Bonus. ... Relocation Costs. ... A Better Job Title. ... Stock Options. ... A Career Development Plan.More items...•

What should I ask for in a job negotiation?

Questions to ask when negotiating a job offerIs this salary open to negotiations? ... How did you calculate this salary offer? ... Are there any opportunities to increase my salary in other ways? ... How do you determine raises? ... What is included in this compensation package? ... Can we negotiate other factors besides my salary?More items...•

What are the benefits of negotiation?

ADVANTAGES OF NEGOTIATIONIt can prevent a conflict from escalating by using "preventive diplomacy"It can open wide new areas of interests to both parties by expanding the “pie”It saves trouble & money by resolving in a short period of time disputes.It improves communication maximizing the odds of a positive outcome.More items...

Should you always negotiate salary for a new job?

It's part of offering any role to a new hire. In fact, some recruiters are even surprised when you don't negotiate your salary. While it's not a mandatory part of the process — and almost no company will insist on giving you more money — negotiating is a good idea.

Can you lose a job offer by negotiating salary?

Yes, you can totally lose a job offer by negotiating salary but that would likely be due to having unreasonable demands and alienating your hiring manager through your behavior. Otherwise, salary negotiation is perfectly acceptable and expected by hiring managers and employers.

Do employers expect you to negotiate?

But you should know that in almost every case, the company expects you to negotiate and it's in your best interest to give it a shot. In fact, a study by Salary.com found 84% of employers expect job applicants to negotiate salary during the interview stage.

How do you negotiate salary with HR?

– Stay calm during salary negotiation. Be positive and clear that you're excited about your role (or potential role) at the company. ... – Examine your salary expectations. ... – Ask for their reasoning. ... – Negotiate. ... – Move beyond salary. ... – Maybe next year. ... – Walk away from salary negotiation. ... – Learn a lesson.

What are the 6 basic skills of negotiating?

Negotiation SkillsCommunication. To achieve your ideal outcome at the bargaining table, it's essential to clearly communicate what you're hoping to walk away with and where your boundaries lie. ... Emotional Intelligence. Emotions play a role in negotiation, for better or worse. ... Planning. ... Value Creation. ... Strategy. ... Reflection.

How do you negotiate professionally?

These underused negotiation techniques can help professional negotiators increase their bargaining powerReframe anxiety as excitement. ... Anchor the discussion with a draft agreement. ... Draw on the power of silence. ... Ask for advice. ... Put a fair offer to the test with final-offer arbitration.

How much should I counter offer salary?

Start with a figure that's no more than 10-20% above their initial offer. Remember, you're applying for entry level, and you shouldn't expect something on the higher range. Consider negotiating lower if 10-20% places you above the average.

Will negotiating salary backfire?

Negotiating a salary is a crucial part of accepting a new position, but botching this step can cost a candidate the job. And even if the fallout isn't quite as severe, the outcome of salary negotiations can damage the employee's ability to succeed at work. The problem is, few of us have negotiating skills.

Should I accept a job offer with lower pay?

If you're considering a job with a lower salary, make sure you're financially comfortable with the decision, and can comfortably live on the lower income. While a long-lasting and difficult job hunt is a perfectly valid reason for accepting a lower salary, avoid sharing this with interviewers.

What should I say when negotiating salary?

You can mention how salary is just one component in your decision-making process, and then state (or re-state) your desired salary and why it's in line with the market as well as your qualifications. Finally, emphasize that you want to work with the other person to find a mutually agreeable number, Lares says.

How much more should you ask for when negotiating salary?

Start with a figure that's no more than 10-20% above their initial offer. Remember, you're applying for entry level, and you shouldn't expect something on the higher range. Consider negotiating lower if 10-20% places you above the average.

How do you ask for negotiation price?

To write a price negotiation letter, try to follow these steps:Use a positive tone. It's important you keep a positive tone throughout your negotiation letter. ... Compliment the supplier. ... Explain your perspective. ... Request a discount. ... Set clear terms. ... Hint at an incentive. ... Choose a date for a response.

How do I ask for more salary in an offer letter?

Express confidence in the management, company or other aspects of the offer. State that you want a better salary. Mention the salary you want if you feel it appropriate. Identify the factors that you feel warrant a higher salary, such as education or experience.

What do you need to know when you get a promotion?

When receiving a promotion, you need to understand what the role entails before accepting the offer. Find out what the responsibilities include and determine whether you have the necessary skills or training to perform them. If you know you can carry out the tasks of the job, you will feel more confident about your qualifications and thus your ability to negotiate.

How to convince your potential employer to hire you?

Reiterate the successes from your professional history, such as your ability to save costs, streamline processes or promote growth. Then explain how you aim to provide that same value to their company, and the benefits you receive should reflect that. When employers recognize the talent and advantages you offer, it may make them more interested in adapting to your needs.

What to do when you receive a copy of a company's benefits package?

When you receive a copy of the company's benefits package, ask about the potential for negotiation. They may tell you that certain aspects, such as insurance plans or 401 (k) contributions, are not negotiable while others are. Once you gain this clarity, you can begin determining where you need to negotiate. For example, if the non-negotiable benefits do not meet your standards, you can start thinking about asking for benefits that would supplement those needs.

What to ask for when moving for a job?

If you’re being asked to move for the job, ask your prospective employer to cover the expenses, including moving and temporary lodging costs, job search assistance for your spouse and/or assistance selling your house. “Relocation assistance is often negotiable,” says Collins.

What to do if there is no room in the budget for a higher salary?

So, if there’s no room in the budget for a higher salary, be ready to negotiate these other great perks and benefits.

Does skill set pay off in the long run?

Although it won’t reflect in your paycheck, taking a job where you can develop your skill set can pay off in the long run. Consider that one-third of employers report difficulties filling job vacancies, often due to a lack of hard skills and industry-specific certifications, a recent ManpowerGroup survey found.

1. Flexible Work Hours

Whether you work in-office or remotely, flexible work hours make your life a lot easier. Maybe you like to start later in the morning so that you can sleep in or head to the gym at the crack of dawn. Or maybe you prefer to start earlier so that you can pick the kids up from school or daycare before rush hour.

2. Remote Work

While flexible hours give you some wiggle room in terms of when you do your work, remote positions allow you to do your job from the comfort of your own home. Remote work means that you don’t have to worry about commuting, packing a lunch, or moving closer to your workplace.

3. Your Start Date

While it’s best practice to give two weeks’ notice to your employer when you leave a job, there are no rules saying you have to start two weeks after accepting a new job offer.

4. A Signing Bonus

Just because a potential employer indicates that your base salary is non-negotiable doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate other aspects of your financial compensation, including a signing bonus.

5. Relocation Costs

Sometimes your job search will lead you to employers outside your current city or state. And although you may be willing to relocate, moving comes with a lot of expenses. If you need to move for a new job, you can ask your employer to cover part of your moving costs as part of your overall compensation package when telecommuting isn’t an option.

6. A Better Job Title

The job title in your offer letter isn’t necessarily set in stone. If the duties outlined during the interview process go beyond the typical responsibilities of the job title you’ve been offered, try asking for one that better suits the role.

7. Stock Options

When you can’t negotiate for a higher salary, look for stock options instead. If you believe in the company and they’ve shown growth and consistency in the past, stock options could be the perfect way for you to boost the financial worth of your job offer without asking for more money.

Professional development

Professional development: It’s a buzz term, sure, but it’s also an essential tool in an employee’s personal and professional growth and potential output. In many industries, like medicine, law, and education, individuals are required to participate in continuing education courses to maintain their ability to practice.

Phone allowance

Say you’re taking on a new sales role where you’ll be using your personal phone to make a lot of calls. While some employers are turning to a BYOD (bring your own device) policy, you may be able to ask for a small amount of compensation for your time spend on your phone for your job.

Transportation reimbursement

Whether you take the train, rent a lime bike, or drive into work, you might be able to ask for transportation reimbursement. You’ll need to do the math and make a logical argument to your boss before asking. And if you get a yes, definitely keep your receipts in case of any discrepancy.

Your title

Even if you’re not able to start your first day with a “better” title, you might be able to negotiate a new title once you pass your probationary period. Even if it seems nit-picky now, this could mean a world of difference to the next employer (should there be one) who looks at your resume.

Vacation time

Like any negotiation, asking for more vacation time will require some give-and-take. Why not ask your boss if they would be okay with adding an extra week to your vacation time if certain high-level goals are met during the year? That way, both of you get something out of your superior work ethic.

Childcare reimbursement

Unless you have a stay at home parent or you plan to have a “Bring your kids to work” day every day, you’re going to need to fork out a good amount of cash for some form of childcare. Many employers these days will offer to pay a portion of your childcare costs so be sure to ask!

Educational opportunities

What employer doesn’t want their employees to be continually growing and getting better at their jobs? Ask your employer to help you do just that and sponsor you to attend a workshop or conference. Of course, this will actually need to be relevant to your job (no free trips to Comicon here).

Time

Flextime (being able to come and go throughout the day if you have child care duties, for example)

Timing

In most cases, the best time to negotiate is after you’ve been formally offered the job, but haven’t yet accepted. At this point, you’re in a good position to bargain because you know they want you. However, don’t get too cocky: you haven’t sealed the deal yet, and coming on too strong now could get your offer yanked.

Do your homework

Research the organization and get a feel for what they’re currently capable of. If their last few annual reports show funding on the decline, you might want to ask for the title upgrade and not the new computer.

Only negotiate for things you care about

It might seem obvious, but it can be easy to get caught up in the strategy game of negotiation and the goal of just getting something. To avoid these pitfalls, think about each of your asks individually and why you want it, prior to your meeting.

Be reasonable

It’s usually a good opener to say that you’re excited about the prospect of this new job, and have identified some things that would make it even more appealing. In some cases, such as asking for an equipment upgrade, you can make the case that the benefit will help you do your job better.

Go time

Anything could happen when you make your case: The employer could grant you everything you asked for, none of it, or say, “Let’s talk about this again in six months.” Whatever the exchange is like, chances are the ball will be back in your court once it’s over, so here comes the $100,000 (give or take) question: Do you feel good enough about the combined salary and benefits package now to take the job?.

Job benefits for schedule and flexibility

Paid time off (PTO) is an umbrella term that covers a variety of reasons for needing time off, including sick days, mental health days, holidays, personal days, and so on. Companies either separate PTO out by the reason and amount of days (i.e.

Job benefits for career support and education

Sponsorship or mentorship programs are official programs like women- or diversity, equity, and inclusion–focused initiatives, affiliate groups, or councils. Especially in male-dominated industries, mentorship programs are shown to have a huge impact on women’s career trajectories and are integral to helping women advance in their workplaces.

Job benefits for parental leave and family support

Paid parental leave covers absences for new parents. The kicker? The United States is the only developed country, and one of the only countries in the world, that has no federal law that guarantees paid parental leave to its workers. The average amount of paid maternity leave given by U.S.

Job benefits for health and insurance

Unsurprisingly, job seekers view medical coverage as one of the most important factors in a job benefits package. According to data, roughly 97 percent of large companies—those with at least 50 full-time employees—offer medical insurance to their employees.

Other job benefits

InHerSight defines social activities and environment as happy hours, game rooms, company outings, and other perks.

How to negotiate your job benefits package

When thinking about negotiating, we often focus hard on negotiating salary and neglect to negotiate job benefits. In reality, you can negotiate almost any aspect of your employment, and because your job benefits play a huge role in how you feel about your job, negotiating them should be a top priority.

Cara Hutto

Cara Hutto is the assistant editor at InHerSight. Her writing primarily focuses on workplace rights, job searching, diversity, and allyship, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in media and journalism from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.