9 Tips For Negotiating a Job Offer

You won't always be in a position to negotiate a job offer, but you should always be prepared to do so. If you have multiple job offers or receive a job offer with a low salary, you can negotiate for a better offer. Whatever your reason may be for negotiating, you're walking a tightrope. To improve your chances of success, follow these negotiating tips.

1. Be Likeable

If you're not likable, a hiring manager won't fight for you to take a job offer. So, coming across as unlikeable is the equivalent of self-sabotage. It would help if you worked hard to maintain a pleasant demeanor throughout the negotiation process.

Being likable isn't only about being polite. To make a positive impression, you need to show that you deserve what you're asking for. If you seem greedy or petty, you probably won't be successful in your efforts. You can avoid being unlikeable by practicing your negotiations with a friend.

2. Make a Strong Case

You can't assume that an employer will immediately see your value. If you want a better proposal, it's up to you to show them that you deserve it. Don't let your proposal be all about the salary or benefits. Instead, include a detailed explanation that shows why you deserve what you're asking for.

If you have a hard time building your case, think twice before negotiating. You should be able to justify why you deserve more, and you need to have concrete details that make your case.

3. Show Your Interest

Most employers don't like being told no. If you don't make it obvious that you plan on accepting an offer, the employer won't bother negotiating. Try to make it clear that you have a powerful interest in working for the company.

There's a fine line between seeming disinterested and showing that you have other offers. While it's acceptable to mention your other prospects, tell the employer what conditions it would take to make you accept an offer.

4. Know Who You're Talking To

It's not the company that's negotiating with you - it's the person across the table from you. Before you go into a negotiation, learn as much as you can about the other individual. To get what you want, you should be able to understand them and how to convince them of your worth.

First, you need to know their role. A negotiation session with a boss is much different from a negotiation with an HR director. Secondly, it helps to know more about the individual themselves. Do a little research to find out about who they are as a person. If they have a big family, they might understand your need for leaving early on Fridays, or any other family-focused demand.

5. Know the Limitations

Every company and employer has limitations. As much as they might want you to work for them, an employer can't offer you an infinite amount of money. The company has salary caps and other constraints. If you ask for something they can't offer, you're setting yourself up for failure.

It's up to you to determine their limitations before you make your proposal. While you can't be sure of salary caps and other details, you may be able to guess the constraints. A company that had a lousy year probably won't be able to give you a significantly higher salary than the one in the job listing. Likewise, a business that has all of its employees work on Saturday may not be able to offer you weekends off.

6. Be Ready for Questions

When you negotiate for a better offer, you can expect the manager to ask you tough questions. If you don't want to stumble over your words, prepare for those questions. You can expect to hear any or all of the following:

• If we made you an offer tomorrow, would you take it?
• Do you have other offers?
• Are we your number one choice?
  

When answering the questions, you need to be honest. You should also avoid being too mysterious. Before you set out to negotiate an offer, decide how you want to answer those questions.

7. Think About the Package

You're not only negotiating your salary. Rather, you're negotiating for your future. The job offer is a complete package, and you need to consider all of the details in that package. Don't focus too much on your salary, or you could lose sight of the big picture.

Other essential details include your schedule's flexibility, benefits, and location. Some employers offer continued education support and growth opportunities. While a company may not offer you the highest salary of all your options, they could have the best package.

8. Don't Make Ultimatums

Out of all the mistakes you can make during the negotiation process, issuing an ultimatum may be the worst. Employers hate being told what they have to do. So, even if you issue an ultimatum as a show of strength or frustration, it will end in disaster. Watch your words carefully, or you could miss out on a better job offer.

At the same time, you don't want to give into ultimatums. If the employer or negotiator issues an ultimatum, ignore it and move forward. In the future, the individual may realize that they were wrong. Don't acknowledge it and instead leave the issue on the table. For instance, an employer might say, "We would never do that." As a response, you could say, "I understand that might be difficult." Later on, the employer could change their mind.

9. Be Confident

As it always is in the hiring process, confidence is key. If you know your worth, an employer will know your worth. Head into your negotiation knowing that you're an asset. You have a lot to give, and that should show in your job offer.

Before you show up to negotiate, boost your confidence. Look at a list of your most outstanding achievements or say some self-affirmations. Your efforts could pay off with an incredible job offer.