Negotiate Better Job Offers with This Twelve-Point Checklist

You've been through an employer's interview process successfully and have now been extended a job offer. And you think the offer could be better. If that's the case, read on to find out cutting-edge strategies that'll help you negotiate a better deal.

1. There's no need to accept the offer on the spot. Do express your appreciation for their offer and ask how long you can take to make a decision. Use that time to prepare your approach. Remember, they need you just as much as you need them. Come from a position of strength and confidence.

2. Be clear on your priorities -- know what's critical to you personally and what's not. Based on this, define your deal-points and deal breaking points. This should not be limited to your salary.

3. That brings up this important point -- negotiate more than just the salary. Maybe things like extra days of vacations, certain types of expenses you want taken care of, flexible working hours, etc, based on what's important to you.

4. Be yourself. Don't try to adopt a negotiation style that's not you. Don't try to be overly cooperative if you are aggressive by nature, or vice versa. Conduct the negotiations keeping in mind the industry, the position and the person you're negotiating with. Always be tactful and considerate -- rudeness has no place in any discussion.

5. Be patient and willing to hold out for what you deserve. The whole process may require more than one meeting and could take several weeks. Don't rush it. Also, be willing to walk away from an offer (unless you're unemployed and in a desperate position). That's a tried and true tactic that often brings results, though you should be prepared to lose the offer if you do use this approach.

6. When it comes to salary, don't be the first one to name a figure. Of course, employers usually make an offer first. If you are asked what salary you want, try to redirect the discussion. Say that you'll look for a salary in line with what's typical for such positions and that you'd like to discuss the offer as a whole before coming to specifics on money.

7. If the employer is not willing to go along with that approach, then quote a range. Say that you're looking for something in the 80s or 90s, but the exact figure depends on the position, benefits and other factors.

8. Take care of fringe benefits. They can make a very important difference to your overall financial position and quality of life. Look at things like medical insurance, relocation expenses, stock options, paid parking, health club membership, etc.

9. Do your homework before you go in to negotiate a job offer. Know what salaries are typical for your position. Also, do your math correctly. You might find that earning an extra $10,000 might put you into a higher tax bracket resulting in lower take-home pay. Look at additional expenses the new job would involve -- relocation, more expensive commute, etc. Do this preparation beforehand; it's very unlikely that you'll be able to think through everything while in the thick of negotiations.

10. When trying to negotiate a higher salary, state your current salary grossed up for all bonuses, commissions, benefits that you receive. Don't limit yourself to just your pre-tax salary.

11. Be flexible. Negotiations are about give and take. You might have to concede some points to gain something that's valuable to you personally. This is another way of saying 'play fair'.

12. Stick to the truth. Exaggerating your qualifications, work experience, current salary, etc, is risky -- it is quite likely that the employer will find out and then the job offer may be retracted. You may even be fired from your job if they find out after you join them.

Ann Wilson is a successful business author who writes extensively on jobs and careers. Her articles include best tips for interviews, answers to tough interviewing questions and many others with cutting-edge advice on interviewing.

---

Google News Updated : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:50:43 GMT McCain calms supporters, urges respect for Obama - Los Angeles Times The Associated Press McCain calms supporters, urges respect for Obama Los Angeles Times - 2 hours ago 'NO MA'AM': Sen. John McCain takes a question from a supporter who called Democratic rival Barack Obama an Arab at a town hall meeting in Lakeville, Minn. McCain-Palin's hot rhetoric risks GOP backlash San Francisco Chronicle McCain Lauds and Attacks Obama in Same Day New York Times Boston Globe - Washington Post - Minneapolis Star Tribune - Reuters all 460 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:04:20 GMT Palin violated ethics law, inquiry concludes - International Herald Tribune Washington Post Palin violated ethics law, inquiry concludes International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago By Serge F. Kovaleski NEW YORK: Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, abused her powers as governor of Alaska by pressuring subordinates to try to get her former brother-in-law, a state trooper, fired, according to an investigation ... Palin ethics lapse cited Los Angeles Times Alaska probe finds Palin 'abused her power' Indian Express Baltimore Sun - Boston Globe - New York Times - Reuters all 4,043 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:58:28 GMT Morgan Stanley, Goldman May Gain Investment From US Treasury - Bloomberg Wall Street Journal Blogs Morgan Stanley, Goldman May Gain Investment From US Treasury Bloomberg - 7 hours ago By Christine Harper Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., the biggest independent US investment banks, may reap cash infusions as part of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's plan to buy stakes in financial institutions, ... As Stock Falls, Morgan Looks to Japanese Bank New York Times Morgan Stanley hangs on Mitsubishi's $9bn pledge guardian.co.uk Forbes - New York Post - New York Times Blogs - Barron's all 895 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:30:39 GMT Thai protest leaders released on bail, vow new rallies - AFP GulfNews Thai protest leaders released on bail, vow new rallies AFP - 20 hours ago BANGKOK (AFP) - Leaders of Thai anti-government protests were granted bail Friday after surrendering to police and immediately vowed new rallies, raising fears of mounting turmoil days after deadly street clashes. Video: Raw Video: Tear Gas Fired at Thai Protestors AssociatedPress PAD leaders surrender to Thailand police United Press International The Associated Press - Washington Post - New York Times - International Herald Tribune all 2,495 news articles Publ.Date : Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:31:03 GMT Stevens's Reputation 'Sterling,' Powell Says - Washington Post Washington Post Stevens's Reputation 'Sterling,' Powell Says Washington Post - 8 hours ago By Del Quentin Wilber Former secretary of state Colin L. Powell told jurors in the corruption trial of Sen. Ted Stevens yesterday that the powerful Alaska Republican had a "sterling" reputation among the nation's military and political leaders. Reporter's Notebook: Powell Takes the Stand for Stevens FOXNews Powell says Sen. Stevens' integrity "sterling" Reuters CNN - Kansas City infoZine - The Miami Herald - ABC News all 2,865 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:13:53 GMT Mugabe Hands Ministries to His Party - New York Times Voice of America Mugabe Hands Ministries to His Party New York Times - 52 minutes ago By CELIA DUGGER JOHANNESBURG - In a step likely to lead to the collapse of a painstakingly negotiated power-sharing deal, Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, in office for 28 years, has unilaterally declared that his party will retain the most powerful ... Mugabe 'gives Zanu-PF key posts' BBC News Zimbabwe's Mugabe hands key ministries to his party Reuters United Press International - AFP - Aljazeera.net - The Associated Press all 1,687 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:57:49 GMT Paulson Indicates Need to Purchase Bank Equity `Soon as We Can' - Bloomberg Ottawa Citizen Paulson Indicates Need to Purchase Bank Equity `Soon as We Can' Bloomberg - 7 hours ago By John Brinsley and Rebecca Christie Oct. 11 (Bloomberg) -- US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson indicated that pumping government funds into banks is a priority and said financial markets will remain volatile. US to buy shares in struggling banks Los Angeles Times Obama welcomes Paulson plan to buy equity in firms Reuters MarketWatch - International Herald Tribune - Bizjournals.com - Washington Post all 2,114 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:21:05 GMT RSS to HTML Increase Search Engine Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

How to Close Your Interview and Leave a Lasting Positive Impression

Closing the InterviewKnowing how to successfully close an interview can... Read More

Conduct An Informational Interview

Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as... Read More

Telephone Job Interview Preparation Tips

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW BACKGROUNDTelephone interviews are quite common in today's job... Read More

Dissatisfied with Your Job? Take Your Power Back!

Apparently, there are all sorts of reasons to be dissatisfied... Read More

Stepping Stone Jobs

What we name something matters.It sets a tone that alters... Read More

Top Ten Networking Strategies To Get A Job, A Promotion, Or Make A Sale

Whether you are networking to find a new job opportunity,... Read More

How to Terminate an Employee and Live to Tell the Tale

1. Employee Backdrop in AustraliaThe whole arena of Industrial Relations... Read More

Image and Style Count

When I was a child, there was a pool nearby... Read More

Seven Deadly Types of Job Recruiters

Collect them all!Over the course of six months in my... Read More

Your Job Search Is A Marketing Campaign (Part 2)

Here's a continuation of my article from a few months... Read More

Surviving Unemployment Through Emotional Damage Control

Looking for work is a roller-coaster ride: high with elation... Read More

Staying In Shape

Why Lawyers Should Eat Bananas by Simon Tupman is a... Read More

Careers In The Advertising Business Internet Marketing Style

So you are interested in seeking a job with an... Read More

Five Fabulous Resume Tips for College Grads (or Anybody)

Fluffy clouds. Chirping birds. Green trees. Colorful flowers. It's springtime!... Read More

Make Your Career Offshore Proof

There has been a lot of talk recently about American... Read More

10 Warning Signs That You?re Ready for a Career Transition

1. You dread getting out of bed and going to... Read More

Targeting Your Resume is So Important For Your Career

Targeting your portfolio, (resume and cover letter) can get you... Read More

Learn How To Network for HIDDEN Jobs

I'll quickly cover the following:A) Why Network With People? B)... Read More

What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

The fastest way to make a good interview go bad... Read More

How Important Is It To Stand Apart From Others In An Interview And How Difficult Is It?

Any professionally trained interviewer can attest these questions are the... Read More

Rejection Got You Down in the Job Search?

REJECTION IN THE JOB SEARCHGOT YOU DOWN?It's true, no one... Read More

The Recruiting Truth...Time Is Not On Your Side

In today's marketplace things are constantly changing and so are... Read More

Practice Speaking

For many people, interviewing is not a natural act any... Read More

Seven Myths You Must Challenge Now To Begin Your Second Career Today

* Has it been awhile since you explored career options?*... Read More

Out Recruit The Competition

We hear from our clients that they "hope the candidate... Read More