How to negotiate a job offer like an expert

As a jobseeker, it can be quite difficult to negotiate a job offer, that is why the ManpowerGroup provided some tips to help you with the negotiation.

ManpowerGroup South Africa’s managing director, Lyndy van den Barselaar, said this is the time when jobseekers need to assess what is most important to them and have the courage to ask for it. “Negotiating a job offer can be a daunting process for a jobseeker, but is certainly a necessary process and a chance to learn and grow as a professional,” explained van den Barselaar. “This is the jobseeker’s chance to look at important aspects which would affect their job satisfaction, such as travel requirements, working hours, remuneration, additional earning potential and company culture, and express concerns around these if necessary.”

Van den Barselaar provided the following tips for negotiating a job offer in the most effective way:

• Know the market range for your salary 

Most medium to large organisations will have a pay range, not just one rate but for each position. To find this range, seek out a credible compensation survey from consultancies that collect data from organisations, rather than individuals who may submit unverified data.

If you can’t get access to these surveys, do research online and talk to your network and recruiters to build a picture of the range. Then negotiate within this range based on your experience and skills.  “Doing your research will mean that you are realistic about the figures you can negotiate, and also show your potential employer that you are serious about the job and your worth as a professional,” said van den Barselaar.

•  Think beyond the salary 

Frederick Herzberg, a pioneer in the field of business psychology, asserted that people aren’t just motivated by salary. However, they do need a stable base of income and benefits that he called ‘hygiene factors’.

Take the time to think about what conditions will make you feel more secure in your role, this could include retirement or medical aid benefits, vacation allowances and weekly working hours, for example.

• Gather intelligence 

Is salary firm but vacation time flexible? If you want to learn more about what to negotiate for, it is important to identify what is negotiable within the organisation.

“Knowing what the company considers flexible in terms of the package offered will give you a better view of how you will be able to negotiate with them, realistically,” said van den Barselaar.

• Get creative

Salary and benefits packages are the most popular items to negotiate, but other options may be on the table depending on the culture of the organisation.

For instance, some businesses may offer sabbaticals, training and tuition reimbursements, concierge and gym benefits, or a flexible work schedule that includes working longer hours for a day off, for example. Take the time to consider what is truly important to you – not what would just be a nice perk – and make the request.

•  Have a conversation 

Negotiations don’t need to be about a take-it-or-leave-it mentality. Rather, you can simply ask if the organisation has the capacity to increase their offer if, for example, it came through lower than expected. If the employer is unwilling to move, you can still consider the offer as it stands.

Remember, you can acknowledge and express genuine appreciation for the job offer without accepting. “During the conversation, ensure that you set a positive tone, request some time to review the offer, and consider your options. Be realistic but also focus on your value as a professional,” concluded van den Barselaar.

Related Article: 

https://fourwaysreview.co.za/314682/the-importance-of-networking/