How to Negotiate Salary and Benefits

How to Negotiate Salary and BenefitsHow to Negotiate Salary and Benefits3The chance to negotiate salary and benefits is one of the final steps of a successful job search. But just because it comes late in the process doesnt mean you should save thinking about it for the last minute.According to an article in Forbes, women often take the first offer theyre given rather than try to negotiate for what theyre worth- to the detriment of their career climb and future earning potential.Yet while negotiating your salary and benefits takes some time and research, it doesnt have to feel intimidating. If you follow a few smart strategies, youll be ahead of the game.Here are three tips to negotiate salary and benefits.Check the going rates.In order to know how much you should get paid for a job, you need to research the standard salary band for that particular position in your industry. verbunden websites can help you with this, like Glassdoor.com, Salary.com, and Payscale.com. Industry trade as sociations may also have useful resources that you can use to understand both salary and benefits packages.If youre working with a recruiting agency, they can help you with negotiations as well. Contacting a headhunter accomplishes two things, says Katie Donovan, founder of Equal Pay Negotiations, LLC. First, you have another perspective on the market value of the job, and second, you create another option to getting paid well than just the salary negotiation.Consider the whole package.Sometimes job candidates get stuck on the idea of wanting to hit a certain number with their salary. But while salary is a major component of your compensation, remember that your total employment package may include several other factors as well.Even if a hiring manager wont budge on salary, you can often sweeten the deal in your favor by successfully negotiating benefits like more vacation time, a flexible schedule, or other perks. GoodCalls salary negotiation guide offers a list of the benefits and perks you might want to consider, along with other helpful info.Donovan notes that flex schedules are one of the areas that may be most open for discussion with many employers. For example, if you cant negotiate the salary you want, perhaps you can work from home one day a week.Dont jump too soon.In the excitement of receiving a job offer, some candidates may rush the negotiation process, eager to close the deal. However, Tory Johnson of Women for Hire recommends that you avoid being the first one to state an exact salary figure.Johnson states If possible, try to get the employer to disclose the pay for the job before you tell your requirements. If you find this too difficult or awkward, consider providing a broad range (based on the research you did above) and say you expect a fair total pay package for the job and my unique set of skills, including. It is also fair to ask the employer what the market data says the job is worth.By preparing yourself in advance to negotiate your sa lary and benefits, you can steer your career in the right direction and get the compensation you deserveReaders, do you negotiate salary and benefits or hold back? Leave a comment and tell us