Academy Coaching

Negotiating Your Next Job Offer Workshop Follow Up

Here are some take home points from last month’s workshop at Academy Coaching

I. Should I negotiate in this economy? Yes!

Remember,  getting the job offer is not your ultimate goal. Getting a job you love and are fairly compensated for is your ultimate goal.

II. The biggest barrier to effective negotiations? Your own thoughts.

Do you think people will perceive you as a jerk or prima donna for negotiating? Consider these facts;

a. The employer if fully expecting you to negotiate.

b. You can learn to negotiate effectively. Thankfully, negotiation skills are not a genetic disposition that you either have or don’t have. They are a set of skills that you can master!

c. Your negotiating ability is an asset to your potential employer. If you are going to have nay role in securing contracts/vendors/speakers/consultants or in any way simply influence peopleyou will need to be savvy in negotiating. If you can’t negotiate for yourself it seems unlikely you will be able to do so for the organization.

III. Everything is negotiable. Yes everything. That does not mean you should expect to get everything. A wise person identifies what is most and least important before negotiating.

a. Prioritize what you need vs. what you want.

b. Go beyond financial compensation and consider overall “fit” with the position. Consider the responsibilities/people you will work with/the schedule/flex time/ benefits and so forth.

IV. Tips for effective negotiations.

a. Know what you are worth. Gather data on your field/profession/rank/region/institution.

b. Develop a Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement “BATNA”

c. Don’t confuse salary with the full compensation package.

d. Identify shared interests and how you can meet their needs. This is paramount.

e. Ask for what you are worth by highlighting what you bring to the table.

f. Handle negotiations with care – build relationships.

V. Know your sources of negotiation power. Yes, you have power!

a. Developing good working relationship(s) with the people you are negotiating with. Keep the conversation open.

b. Knowledge of objective data (salary ranges, cost of living etc.).

c. Ability to invent creative options and carefully craft negotiation(s). What can you give/get?

d. Maintaining a positive and patient attitude. Recognize for everything you ask someone has to likely go to some one else before the decision can be made, these things take time. Consider using this type of statement: “I am honored to receive your offer and inclined to accept. However, I have two areas I would like to further explore in hopes of coming to an agreement. Specifically, (xy). I recognize it may take a few days to get the information/answers you need and I am happy to wait in hopes that we can move forward”.