Art of Negotiation

This page is designed to help young job seekers in negotiating their remuneration.

“A low remuneration gets you the job but a proper remuneration gets you the satisfaction and respect.”

An offer confirms that your skills are valued and that you have excelled over others. Most people are unsure of what to ask for as remuneration package, but it all can be managed with little preparation. Depending on the job and employer a job seeker can negotiate for a variety of benefits which may include bonuses (both signing as well as periodic), medical benefits, other perks like mobile phone, laptops, club memberships, etc. Negotiation may also include working hours and leaves (both weekly as well as periodic).

• VALUE YOURSELF AND DON’T BE IN A HURRY
  Never negotiate before you are given an offer.
  Accept a job only after you have gone through the complete offer which may take 24 to 48 hours and never accept a job and then make demands later to the employer.

• INFORMATION IS EVERYTHING
  Remember each employer and job is different and each offer different benefits and perks and each has its own disadvantages. Before negotiating do your homework do your research and find out whether the offer matches the industry standards and also gather information on the employer by visiting their website / other electronic media and also try to connect to its present and past employees through LinkedIn / other social media. Every employer defines job and success in their own terms and trying to find that out shall make you a better negotiator.

• JUSTIFY WHAT YOU SEEK
  You should be well prepared to justify each negotiation and give a proper reason for every single one of them. You should be able to justify the cost to the employer for each negotiation for them to consider the same. Never over emphasis a single point of negotiation and be prepared with alternatives for what you seek. Identify your benchmarks / deal breakers and be prepared to walk away from an offer if they are not meet.

• BE FAIR AND STRAIGHT FORWARD
  In negotiating never go overboard and be reasonable in each negotiation you seek. Nothing is out of reach but you have to understand that asking too much will end is rejection. Also remember during negotiation as stated by Gates - “‘No’ is the beginning of the negotiation but not the end.” But when that happens you need to ask questions as to the reason for the same ie. whether the same is against the employer’s policy or opinion or preference.

• LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST
  Remember to value yourself but never accept or reject the job just because of the package, you should always consider the experience and job satisfaction in the job.