You find
a great position. It might even be a position you have dreamed of being
offered. Because you are overwhelmed with excitement, as soon as you are
offered the position, you say yes without regard to the salary and benefit
package. How many have taken a job because of the adrenalin rush of being
offered a position. If you say never, you are not being honest with yourself.
__________________
SIDE BAR
If you
are a Facebook user, you have read numerous disparaging posts by colleagues and
friends regarding their position, their supervisor, their budgets, or lack
thereof, difficulty with parents, and more.
Although
this piece is not about Facebook and public postings, it does deserve a quick
recommendation by this author: Do not post anything “ever” that would damage
your present position, current relationships, and/or future positions. Follow
the adage, if you do not have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all –
what you say now, may come back to bite you later.
___________________
Now,
back to the topic at hand…this piece is only focused on salary and benefits. It
should be noted that the position description is also vital. However, much of
that is not negotiable.
When
entering into an employment agreement, not including union and/or professional
employment policies and recommendations, both salary and benefits, take time
before you sign the contract. This isn’t Shark Tank, although it may feel that
way. Ask, if offered the position you applied for, for a day or two to consider
the position, read over the employment policies, benefits, etc. When you have
your follow-up conversation to talk final numbers and benefits, it is important
to know all you can about the employment policies. These policies, including
but are not limited to, guidelines on vacation time, sick days, personal days,
continuing education, prep periods, retirement, etc.
In terms
of making the position, aside from artistic reward (which is why you applied
for the position in the first place), financially beneficial the following
common steps will serve as a guide to negotiate your salary and benefits :
1.Do not
discuss salary until the employer offers you the position-Refrain from
mentioning your salary desires in your resume, including past and present.
Obviously, if asked for in the ad you are responding to, you will need to
supply a salary expectation.
2.“Those
who speak first, lose.” Allow the interviewer to make the offer. Remember, the
first figure given by the employer is a starting place. The employer has a range
in which they can negotiate.
3.Do as
much research as you can – Negotiate through knowledge. Research the employer,
and the salary range for your position and experience. A useful starting point
can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics website.
4.Let
negotiations begin – Know your worth, because of your experience and education.
You should strive for the highest salary possible. Yet, be fair, as the
employer has a bottom line. You can however, negotiate a salary review date in
your contract.
5.There’s more than pay? – Salary, is only one
component of the negotiating process. You can also negotiate vacation time,
sick days, personal days, continuing education, prep periods, retirement, etc.
Know
your field, and your prospective employer. With this knowledge the “world is
your oyster”. So, negotiate.
.
