Article: 7 things to negotiate other than salary at your next job

Benefits & Rewards

7 things to negotiate other than salary at your next job

Your current skill set and expertise can be leveraged, at your next job, in getting a much sweeter deal than you can imagine and no, we arent just talking about your salary!
7 things to negotiate other than salary at your next job

Employees move on from organisations for a variety of reasons, and arguably, the top reason is better money. A lot of times, young professionals and people switching their jobs consider that getting a better salary is an end to negotiations, but a little nudge in other areas can work wonders.

We bring you seven such variables, that you can go back and forth on, before joining your new job, and also give a few cautionary tips to keep in mind while doing so.

Job Title

You’d be surprised to find out how flexible employers are reworking your title. Make sure you back up your request with relevant information and experience in the field. The trend of innovative and creative job titles for the same position isn’t going to fade out anytime soon, so better make the most of it.

Time

From the number of hours you work in a week to vacation time, everything can be brought, and the employer may just agree to it. If the organisation allows work-from-home, this is a great opportunity to push the bar and fixing the number of days you will be allowed to do so. Although, have legitimate reasons – child care duties, residence-ship in another city etc. to justify your demand. Here’s how you can negotiate working time better.

Reimbursements

If the upper limit has been reached in terms of base salary, suggest if you can be reimbursed for travel, phone bills and cab fares. Have an approximate number in mind when suggesting the same, and be prepared to break it down, if required. Transportation, public and private, doesn’t come cheap, and your demand is likely to be considered.

Benefits

Employer benefits, ranging from insurance and education grants can be put up for discussion at this level. You may ask for a better insurance plan, increasing its scope and limits, or for educational stipends for trainings to better your skills relevant to the job. A few organisations (mostly global) also offer to assistance in paying off grad school loans – be sure to check up!

Technological Perks

Although many jobs come with a sturdy laptop or phone, you can ask for a particular software or equipment to be provided to you at joining. Organisations want you to work better and faster, and if you can prove that a certain technological help will get you to do so, they wouldn’t mind investing in it. This tongue-in-cheek article might actually give you a phrase or two that you can use!

Reviews and Increments: You can definitely make a case for reviewing your performance sooner – say 6 months or 9 months after the joining; which is enough time to prove your calibre – and hence make case for an early increment. This will also clearly communicate your dissatisfaction with the current offer on the table.

Bonuses: Joining bonuses, severance packages, relocation bonuses can all be negotiated with tact and firmness, if the annual package is written in stone. Check with the organisation regarding which of the different types of bonuses you are eligible for.

While you are at the table, negotiating these variables for your next job, make sure you don’t end up over-playing your hand. There’s a fine line between being demanding and being cocky, but here’s what you can keep in mind:

When to do it: Bring these issues up only after you have been offered a job, but haven’t accepted it yet. That way, you know you are wanted; otherwise making these demands right at the interview will put the odds against you. Read up before you have this conversation; if you’re asking for a huge joining bonus when the company is running in huge losses, clearly it won’t add up.

Prioritize your list: List the things that would actually make the most difference for you, and focus on them. Having a long wish-list might be counterproductive and be ready to play curveball in negotiations.

Be Reasonable: Do not make it into a game of who wins! If some of your demands have been complied with, do not push the boundary. Be reasonable, and be flexible in readjusting figures and titles – coming across as stubborn right at this stage is also not ideal.

Joining the workforce, or switching a job can be an intimidating task – where one feels rewarded and gets a sense of approval by simply landing a job in this fiercely competitive world. However, leveraging your current skill set and expertise in getting a sweeter deal on the above mentioned factors is something that can be attempted, with a lesser risk than negotiating the salary. Unless the suggestion costs the employer a heavy and recurring investment, chances are he/she will concede to your demands, especially in areas like job position, flexibility in time, reimbursements and technological perks. The secret, like any other successful negotiation, is putting across your concerns and requirements as a win-win for both.

What terms of your job did you negotiate on, other than your salary? Let us know in the comments below!

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Topics: Benefits & Rewards, Recruitment

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