Job Offer Negotiations: Getting What You Want

You have worked hard at finding your next job. You have come through many obstacles and have reached your career objective. You have received a job offer. You're thrilled. Mission accomplished. After all, what else is left to do?

A majority of job candidates do not negotiate their offer. They are happy just to have received it. They just want to start their new job and start getting paid again. Besides, there's a myth that the process of negotiating could turn the employer off and cause the offer to be rescinded? Does this kind of thinking sound familiar?

Offer negotiations are certainly an optional part of the job search process. You don't have to negotiate. Should you? Absolutely! In fact, when you don't negotiate, negative ramifications can occur.

For example, you're in Sales or Customer Support or any other profession that requires a persuasive style. As a final "test", an employer may extend to you the position contingent upon how persuasive you are at negotiating the offer. If you don't negotiate, or negotiate poorly, you lose. A runner-up may be offered the position on a similar basis.

Even if you are not in a profession that requires a persuasive style, you should seriously consider engaging in a negotiating process. Employers expect you to negotiate. There is always a higher amount that you can receive over and above the compensation you are initially offered. How much more will be a function of the bargaining chips you have, and the finesse used to negotiate them.

Let's take stock of the bargaining chips you may have:

? Your educational degrees

? Being currently employed (assuming you are)

? Your level of expertise and number of years in the field

? The salary you currently command

? Your assessment of your true worth

Depending upon the type of position you are seeking, each of these areas has validity and relevance, and a specific "chip" value that can be called upon when negotiating. Probably the most esoteric yet most valuable of these is your own assessment of worth.

Your true worth is far greater than your current compensation, or what a salary calculator would reveal. Your worth can be defined by what you bring to the table that is unique and valuable. Look at the skills, strengths, core competencies, marketable assets and accomplishments you can declare as your own. This is what describes your uniqueness. It is what differentiates you from the crowd.

What number would you associate with your worth? If you're having difficulty coming up with a figure, just ask your spouse or best friend how much they think you are worth. You'll probably get a surprisingly high yet fairly accurate number. Let's assume you came up with one million dollars. I know, that doesn't even come close. The point is, can you expect an employer to pay you this amount as your compensation?

For sure, salary negotiations based on your true worth or unique gifts take on a whole new dimension. No, you probably won't be compensated one million dollars; however, with the right blend of negotiating skills and patience, your efforts will be substantially rewarded!

I have seen up to forty thousand dollars added to starting compensation through diligent negotiations. It is common for signing bonuses, stipulations calling for substantial six-month performance-based increases, several weeks of additional vacation time, stock options, profit sharing, and more to be added as part of a negotiated package.

Negotiating is an opportunity to get what you truly want, and deserve. It is a way to significantly raise your standard of living and sense of self, simply by taking stock of what you have and then knowing how to use it for your advancement. Remember, what you receive now becomes your benchmark for future positions.

We all have choices. Some people would rather keep things the way they are. That's ok. However, you have worked very hard to come to this point, so why stop short of getting what you truly want, and deserve. Wouldn't you rather be compensated more on the basis of what you're worth than on some arbitrary figure designed to keep the status quo? Go for what you are worth ? your life will never be the same!

Copyright © 2005 TopDog Group All rights reserved.

David Richter is a recognized authority in career coaching and job search support. He has spent many years in recruitment, staffing, outplacement, counseling psychology and career management spanning most industries and professions. David founded TopDog Group in response to the needs of job candidates to have a higher quality of career coaching and support available on the Internet. David understands the mechanisms for success. He has formulated specific strategies anyone can use to secure interviews and receive offers. His extensive knowledge and experience sets David apart in this field, allowing him to offer a wealth of information and a vast array of tools, resources and strategies not found anywhere else. He has shown countless job seekers how to differentiate themselves and leverage their potential to the highest possible level, making a real difference in their careers. David holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. David's website address is: http://www.procareercoach.com

---

The Power to Succeed

It's amazing how we fool ourselves... while at the same... Read More

Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk?

Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the... Read More

Career Search from Within

Seeking meaningful and fulfilling work can become a discouraging, confusing... Read More

Factual Employment Screening Part 2

An Employment Screening OutlinePolicy DevelopmentA policy of Factual Employment Screening;... Read More

Successful Job Search: 10 Steps To Quickly Acquire Your Dream Job And Put More Money In Your Pocket

Do you want to continue your costly, time-consuming and exhausting... Read More

Can You Actually Fail A Personality Quiz?

Q. I didn't get a job that I interviewed for.... Read More

Travel Writer Jobs, What Are They And How To Find Them

Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into... Read More

An Unexpected Career Direction

My starting point was how to draw on 25 years... Read More

What You Need To Know Before Committing To Vocational Retraining

You've thought a lot about the kind of work you... Read More

Is Your Career Your Calling or Just a 9 to 5?

Do you remember your parents asking you what you want... Read More

Telecommuting Cover Letters

Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More

Diplomats and Spies

"The Baratarian pirates also offered their services. Even though an... Read More

Managing The Boss Is Essential To Career Success

Your boss is the gatekeeper of your career. Unless you... Read More

Ten Things About Your Career Development

There are some tactics you can action whatever you wish... Read More

Ten Tips to a Powerful Resume

A new resume can jump-start your career. Your network contacts... Read More

10 Steps to Getting the Most Out of Job Fairs

Many job seekers tend to overlook job fairs. They can... Read More

Getting Started: 5 Things You Need to Decide When You Get Started with a Job Search

There are few things more frustrating for a headhunter than... Read More

Overcome Interview Nerves: Be Better Prepared than Your Interviewer

Although interview preparation is everything it's sad to say that... 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

Job Hunting: Its Still The First Impression Stupid!

In the 1992 USA Presidential election, political strategist James Carville... Read More

How To Get A Job Fast

In today's unpredictable economy, the idea of job security with... Read More

A Look At Some Out of the Ordinary Jobs

What do you want to be when you grow up?... Read More

No Experience? No Problem!

Are you a new graduate with little or no work... Read More

Seeking A New Job While Currently Employed : Tiptoeing Through the Minefield

So, you currently have a job but you are looking... Read More

Top Career Advice ... More Choices and A Better Way of Life

Why Career Advice Is So ImportantChoosing a career presents a... Read More

Sample Resume Objectives: What They All Tend To Miss

Sample resume objectives. When a harried and possibly panicked job... Read More

You Can Identify a Problem Solver

As an executive recruiter, I interview a lot of people.... Read More

Why Human Resources Are The Real Key To Success In This Information Age

The rapid changes that have mainly been brought about by... Read More

Ask Me No Questions, Ill Tell You No Lies

If only there were no questions involved in getting a... Read More

How to Survive in Business Long Enough to Win

As a former human resources professional it has always intrigued... Read More

The 10-Step Resume Critique

Your resume will generally receive a 15- to 30-second scan... Read More

So You Want A Promotion - What Do You Need To Do To Get the Champagne Corks Popping?

The champagne corks have been popping to celebrate your promotion.... Read More

Children At Work: Looking at Child Labor in the Victorian Age

Today, it isn't that uncommon for some children and teenagers... Read More