Best Practices of Job Offer Negotiation

The overall goal is obvious in a job search, get ansomething other than the compensation. The same
offer you want. Some are looking for just that, afactors become reasons why offers are rejected.
offer. Others are committed to finding the job theyLocation is very important to everyone in the
want; the job that is best for their career. Either waycandidate's life. It is best to know whether the needs
it takes the right process in order to achieve thecan be met in the new location before an offer is
objective. Today's hiring environment seems to mostmade or accepted. The list may be very long and
to be one that makes it more challenging than ever.should be given the appropriate consideration in this
We have discussed some of the specific conditionsprocess.
that have created that environment.Another concern many have is that an offer may be
Completing the process of a successful job search isbelow what the norm has been for a similar position
how to gain the offer for the desired opportunity.in a similar industry. There may be some companies
Knowing what to do once an offer is accepted andmaking lower offers than they have in the past. The
starting the new position with the new employer isnumber of qualified people is dwindling and the
of equal importance. The key points are:pressure on companies and people to perform at
- Negotiation technique applicationhigher and higher levels is increasing. Offers are in line
- Managing and acceptance/rejection of an offerwith the conditions companies are finding themselves
- Post offer follow throughin. In some cases there is less negotiation because of
- Resignation process managementthe dire need for the expertise required. This is in
- Post resignation techniques and proceduresfact an upside down perspective often fueled by
- Starting the new position with the new employerapplicants who fail to present a well researched value
This is such a sensitive area for most people becauseproposition prior to an offer formulation by the
they do not want to miss the opportunity they haveemployer.
worked hard to get. Most do not think of an offer asOnce an offer has been accepted most feel they
being a win-win situation. If it is not, either thehave little to do except for waiting for their first day
employer or the employee ends up feeling they haveof work with their new employer. There is a great
not succeeded fairly. It can be a small thing that overdeal to do that most do not think about. If they are
the long term will become a festering sore. This is anemployed there is the matter of resignation. Most
area where advice from colleagues, family membersdread this but it should not take on the designs of a
and friends can set the stage for an unacceptableproject. Simply put, straight forward will not burn
outcome. While the advice is well-meant, it can causebridges and it will provide a clear conscience. When
a prospective employer to discontinue the process. Itanyone resigns they should expect a counter offer.
could conceivably cause a candidate to walk awayThis is a subject that is many times mismanaged and
from the opportunity they have wanted and workedcreates serious consequences for the candidate.
very hard to get.There is only one manner in which counter offers
A successful offer negotiation process does notshould be handled to ensure there will be no
have to be the difficult process that many believe itconsequences.
to be. There is no need for friction and hard feelingsWhen the separation with the former employer has
for either party in the process. Your preliminaryoccurred and even during the period of notice, there
research that reveals the employer's major objectiveare numerous tasks that should be performed to
in filling this position is helpful in presenting your offermake the start of the new position very smooth.
expectations in a logically acceptable manner. In otherFrom our experience, a number of them never cross
words, what you want is a fair price to pay for thethe new employee's mind. Overlooking preliminary
solution you bring to the table.employer transition steps can create speed bumps
Most offers contain many little details that may orlater on. Acting on them at this point increases the
may not have been discussed between the candidatepotential for a long career that starts out on the
and the perspective employer. Each needs to beright foot. It reinforces the employer's thoughts that
identified and discussed to be completely understoodthey made the right decision in regards to the new
or resolved. If the assumption is they will be takenemployee and the offer.
care of or they are not really important, it sets theLearning the skills to address each of these critical
stage for disappointment at some point. Eachsteps can make all the difference between getting
situation has its own set of details and they must bethe offer desired and disappointment. Like any other
known and responded to by the candidate and theprocess there are necessary skills. Your career and
perspective employer.future will be dramatically affected by your ability to
If the potential position requires relocation, a greatseize the position you want and the offer you
deal of research needs to occur about the newdeserve.
location. Nine out of ten offers are accepted for