According to Google (I know, a very scholarly and reputable source) the definition of a negotiation is, “a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.”  In my opinion, the most important word in this definition is discussion.  A discussion is simply a conversation between two or more people.  Many job seekers have a difficult time discussing salary and negotiating a job offer because they feel unprepared for this conversation.  Don’t get me wrong, talking about money and advocating for ourselves are two very difficult tasks.  But these tasks are so difficult because many of us are not taught how to have these conversations.  We are actually taught that it is rude to talk about money and irresponsible to not accept a job offer when it is presented to us.

Let me help by providing you with an outline you can use when you are having “the job offer” conversation.  This outline works best if you are able to wait until the job offer has been made to have a conversation about what you are offered and what you wish to discuss.  If the salary expectation question comes up during an interview, that is a totally different conversation and a future blog post topic (…subscribe so this information will be sent straight to your inbox 😉)

Step 1: Confirm your interest in the position and express that there are parts of the offer (or a part of the offer) you would like to discuss.

“Thank you so much for offering me the program manager position.  I’m very excited about the opportunity to become a part of this organization.  There are two parts of the offer I’d like to discuss before formally accepting this position.”

Step 2: Present your first request​.

“First, I’d like to talk about the salary for this position.”

Step 3: Present data to back up your request and your value.  A good outline to follow for this part of the conversation is to explain the results of your work and the skills and strengths that allowed you to produce results. Then, make your request.  Keep the employer’s needs in mind when you are presenting information about your skills and accomplishments.

“As you know in my previous position, I used my problem-solving and program development skills to create a program that not only improved student learning outcomes, but also provided professional development for our staff. I expect to experience similar results in this role.  I will be bringing 10 years of previous experience filling one of the major needs of this role.  Because of my skills and experience, I’d like to ask if my salary could be increased by $5,000.”

Step 4: (Employer will respond)​ and you will express appreciation for their consideration even if the answer is no.

“Thank you for clarifying.  That is good to know.”

Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4.

“The last item I’d like to discuss before accepting this offer is in relation to my professional certifications.  The job description requires that I maintain an ABC certification and a XYZ certification.  Since both certifications are requirements for my employment, would it be possible for the department to cover the yearly membership and renewal fees that are associated with both certifications?  The total cost would come to $375.”

If you would like to work with a career coach to help you prepare for your next offer negotiation, I’d love to hear from you!  Click here to schedule a consultation.  You can also feel free to check out my Find Your Dream Job Course to learn more about offer negotiation strategies.  If you enjoyed this post, scroll down to subscribe and my blog will be sent straight to your inbox 😊!