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Negotiating: When, How, and What
Congratulations! You spent weeks, possibly months, re-writing your resume, applying for jobs, honing your interviewing skills, and doing your homework on potential employers. Your efforts paid off, and the company you want to work for, makes you an offer that you feel good about. If you know what your market value is, and the offer meets your expectations, go ahead and accept it. On the other hand, what if the offer falls short of what you want? Rather than rejecting an offer that is missing out on one or two factors, you might consider negotiating for different terms.
When to Negotiate
You should negotiate after you have received an offer, but prior to accepting it. If you wait until after you have accepted the job, it is likely too late to negotiate. Never try to negotiate any factors before you have been offered the job, as you may end up negotiating yourself out of a potential job opportunity. Until the company offers you the job, you are still in the position of convincing the company that you are the candidate to be hired and offer the most value to the company as an employee.
Try to assess how much leverage you have in the negotiating process. Generally, you have more room for negotiation when:
· The employer really wants YOU in the position.
· The job has been vacant for a long time, and there are no other acceptable candidates.
· Theres a need to fill the job quickly.
· You have a very strong or unique background that matches with the job opportunity.
· The job is a very senior or executive-level position.
How to Negotiate
Here are some tips for negotiating:
1. Restate your understanding of the offer, and ask to have your offer in writing.
2. Reiterate your strong interest in the position and what critical skills and experience you bring to the company.
3. State your needs and what you think you are worth in that job.
4. Be firm in areas that are critical to the overall offer, and be willing to compromise in other areas that are not critical for you.
5. If the employer is not willing to consider any changes in the offer, tell the employer you need to think about it, thank the employer, and provide a date that you can give the employer your decision.
What To Negotiate
Here are some sample items that may be negotiated:
· Salary/Wages
· Sign-On Bonus
· Stock Options
· Vacation and Time-Off
· Work Hours
· Sales Commissions
· Incentives and Profit Sharing
· Job Responsibility
· Annual Bonus
· Tuition Reimbursement

About Author

Kelly Garrett has built a successful career both online and offline, and has savvy tips on the best online jobsites, career resources, working with recruiters, and more. Go to (http://www.jobmedley.com) to find great jobs, resumes, career tools, and resources, and more.

Source: ArticleTrader.com
Read more at: http://www.articletrader.com/business/career/negotiating-when-how-and-what.html.
 
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