{"id":17246,"date":"2017-06-26T15:14:55","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T20:14:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/?page_id=17246"},"modified":"2024-07-29T11:39:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T16:39:05","slug":"evaluating-an-offer-negotiating-salary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/evaluating-an-offer-negotiating-salary\/","title":{"rendered":"Evaluating An Offer &#038; Negotiating Salary"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection><p><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/evaluating-an-offer\/#evaluating\">Evaluating Job Offers<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/evaluating-an-offer\/#accepting\">Accepting\/Declining the Offer<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/evaluating-an-offer\/#salary\">Salary Negotiation<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/pipercenter\/evaluating-an-offer\/#ar\">Additional Resources<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><a id=\"evaluating\"><\/a>Evaluating Job Offers<br \/>\n<\/strong>Deciding whether to take a particular job offering or choosing between different jobs offers can be difficult. Although there is not a universal set of criteria that will determine whether or not you should take one job over another, there are some key considerations that might help you in this process . Below are seven key factors and associated questions individuals often use to evaluate a job offer:<\/p>\n<p><b>1. Job Content: <\/b>It is important to consider: (a) whether you are interested in the mission of the organization and its products or services, (b) whether you will enjoy the specific job responsibilities of the position and (c) whether the position will allow you to develop professionally:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Will you be proud of where you work?<\/li>\n<li>Do you know your job responsibilities and are you excited by them?<\/li>\n<li>Where will this position ultimately lead you? How does the position help you toward your long-term career goals?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><b>2. Your Boss: <\/b>Although things change rapidly in many organizations, it is important that there by good chemistry between you and your prospective supervisor:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Will he or she be a good mentor?<\/li>\n<li>Is he a self-confident person who will be genuinely interested in your success or will he be threatened by you?<\/li>\n<li>Do you feel comfortable with her management style?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>3. Your Co-Workers: <\/b>Your work environment will largely be shaped by the individuals with whom you work. Try meeting with some of the people you will actually be working with day to day before you accept a position:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How was your rapport with your interviewers?<\/li>\n<li>Were they professional?<\/li>\n<li>Are they people you would enjoy working with?<\/li>\n<li>Team players?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>4. Salary and Benefits: <\/b>Conduct research on the competitive range for salary for your position. Online resources, such as O*net and the Occupational Outlook Handbook found on the Piper Center Web page under the \u201cExplore Careers\u201d tab, can help:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Based on your research, is the salary at market level?<\/li>\n<li>Does the salary enable you to meet your financial obligations (ie. school loans)? What is the potential for salary growth?<\/li>\n<li>Are there perks (i.e. international travel, professional conferences, association memberships, on-site fitness and childcare facilities)?<b><\/b><\/li>\n<li><strong>Consider your total salary and benefits package and compare multiple offers by using the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.calcxml.com\/calculators\/total-compensation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Total Compensation Calculator<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Salary resources:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.jobsearchintelligence.com\/NACE\/salary-calculator-intro\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NACE Salary Calculator Center<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.glassdoor.com\/Salaries\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Glassdoor<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.careerjournal.com\/salaryhiring\/negotiate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CareerJournal.com<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/jobstar.org\/tools\/salary\/index.cfm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jobstar<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.monster.com\/career-advice\/salary-benefits\/salary-information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Monster \u2013 Salary Center<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.salary.com\/advice\/layoutscripts\/advl_display.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Quintessential Careers<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.salary.com\/advice\/layoutscripts\/advl_display.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Salary.com<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/government-pay.findthedata.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Find the Data: Public Employee Salaries (Government)<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.guidestar.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GuideStar (search non-profit tax forms for salary data)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.collegegrad.com\/book\/Successful-Job-Offer-Negotiation\/Evaluating-Your-Benefits-Package\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Benefit description resource<\/a><\/li>\n<li>What is your start date? Can you negotiate to fit your schedule?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><b>5. Lifestyle Considerations: <\/b>It is important the demands of the position fit with your overall lifestyle. Consider the following when evaluation the position:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In general, can you achieve a comfortable work-life balance?<\/li>\n<li>What is the customary number of hours required each week?<\/li>\n<li>How much travel will be required?<\/li>\n<li>Do they believe in \u201ccomp time\u201d?<\/li>\n<li>Will they be flexible in the case of family emergencies?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><b>6. Organizational Values\/Culture:<\/b> When interviewing, particularly on-site, try to take note of the type of organizational culture and whether or not it meshes well with your personality and values. Such considerations might be:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is the organization rigid or flexible? Is it casual or formal?<\/li>\n<li>Does the dress code suit your preferences?<\/li>\n<li>Do you feel comfortable in the physical office\/field environment (e.g. light, space)?<\/li>\n<li>Is it bottom-line oriented? People oriented? Mission oriented?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>\u00a0<\/b><b>7. Location: <\/b>Consider the physical logistics of working at this organization, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Is the job based in a desirable place to live? Is the physical location isolated or are there conveniences nearby?<\/li>\n<li>How long is the commute? Is there a public transportation option?<\/li>\n<li>Is parking available?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It may be that the person who makes you the offer refers you to someone in Human Resources to discuss the details of the benefits package.\u00a0 If so, make sure to call HR and ask any questions you may have.<\/p>\n<p><em>Information adapted from Flecter School\/Tufts \u201cEvaluating Job Offers and Negotiating Salary\u201d (2013).\u00a0<\/em><i><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><a id=\"accepting\"><\/a>Accepting the Offer<\/h2>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve made the decision to accept an offer, inform the employer verbally.\u00a0 They may also ask for it in writing.\u00a0 You may also want to get a formal offer from them in writing at this point if you haven\u2019t already.\u00a0 After officially accepting an offer, withdraw from any other search where you are being considered.\u00a0 It is unethical to continue searching for a \u201cbetter\u201d offer after you have accepted one.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Declining the Offer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you decide to decline an offer, do so in a polite and respectful manner.\u00a0 Let the employer know that you appreciate the offer, but that you have chosen to decline.\u00a0 They may ask for a reason, and you may choose to provide them with one if you wish.\u00a0 It is recommended that you be as tactful as possible so that you do not burn any bridges.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><a id=\"salary\"><\/a>Salary Negotiation<\/h2>\n<p>Approaching and handling the discussion regarding salary can be difficult and uncomfortable. Use the following tips to aid you in your salary negotiation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Salary Negotiation Tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Be truthful when discussing your salary history.<\/li>\n<li>Reflect upon, but do NOT disclose your minimum salary figure.<\/li>\n<li>Get the employer to name the salary figure first.<\/li>\n<li>When a range is named, affirm the top number. For example, if the employer states the range for the position is $37,000 to $47,000 per year, you might respond by stating, \u201c$47,000 sounds fair when compared with the other opportunities I am considering.<\/li>\n<li>Consider the total compensation package.What is the value of your vacation time, healthcare benefits, flex time, etc?<\/li>\n<li>Never accept an offer immediately. Tell the employer that you appreciate the opportunity, but need to take some time to consider the offer.<\/li>\n<li>Be professional when turning down an offer.\u00a0The people you met at organization A could be your colleagues at organization B in a year or two.<\/li>\n<li>Know your value:\u00a0If the salary offered is lower than you are willing to accept, make a list of what you would bring to the employer, including background, skills, experience, and education that match the job description.\u00a0When speaking to a hiring representative, show your initiative and desire to make a contribution<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Salary Discussion during the Interview:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Timing is everything:<\/b> Avoid discussing salary until you are offered the position. Delaying the discussion of salary will give you time to do research and determine your market value relative to the specific position and give you the opportunity to convince the prospective employer that you are the one for the job.<\/li>\n<li><b>Do Your Research:<\/b> Armed with information about the industry, the organization, its competitors, the function and the specific position as well as the cost of living where the job is based, you will have the leverage you need to negotiate the best offer possible. Check out resources on the \u201cExplore Careers\u201d on the Piper Center Website under the \u201cMajors and Careers Tab.\u201d Some great resources include<\/li>\n<li><b>Last Resort:<\/b> Many employers will persist in requesting salary information, or may state that only candidates who provide this information will proceed in the interview process. First, try to respectfully change the subject. Some examples of how to direct the conversation away from specific numbers include:\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d be happy to talk about that at the appropriate time.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you tell me more about \u2026?\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cBefore we get to that, let me make sure I\u2019m even in your ballpark.\u00a0 What is the salary range for this position?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cI\u2019m not comfortable discussing salary at this stage.\u00a0 Perhaps we can do so when we meet in person (or after learning more about the responsibilities)?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cFor a person with the skills and experience you want, I\u2019d expect that this position would not pay less than \u2018x.\u2019\u00a0 Correct?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cI don\u2019t wish to discuss salary until I develop a better understanding of the challenges of the position.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cI\u2019m sure we can come to a salary agreement if I\u2019m the right person for the job.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you are pressed to give a salary expectation, give a range.\u00a0 Use statements such as, \u201cI am considering opportunities between $40,000-$50,000 in total compensation. Make sure that the lower end of the range is a salary that you would find acceptable<\/p>\n<p><em>Information adapted from Fletcher School\/Tufts \u201cEvaluating Job Offers and Negotiating Salary\u201d (2013).\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><a id=\"ar\"><\/a>Additional Resources<\/h2>\n<p><strong>For more information on evaluating a job offer visit:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bls.gov\/bls\/blswage.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/career-advice.monster.com\/salary-benefits\/Negotiation-Tips\/Job-Offer-Evaluation-Checklist\/article.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job Offer Evaluation Checklist<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.careereducation.columbia.edu\/resources\/how-accept-or-decline-offer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Accepting\/Rejecting a Job Offer<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>For more information on salary negotiation visit:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bls.gov\/oco\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Occupational Outlook Handbook<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.careerjournal.com\/salaryhiring\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Industry Specific Salary Charts<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.salary.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">US Salaries by Title, Industry and Location<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.opm.gov\/oca\/04tables\/index.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">US Government GS Schedules<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.onetonline.org\/find\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">O*Net<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.glassdoor.com\/index.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Job\/Internship Search with GlassDoor<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/spotlightoncareers.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spotlight on Careers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Many new graduates weigh the decision heavily on the salary offered.\u00a0 It is important to be aware of your financial obligations and income in order to set up a responsible budget and live within your means.\u00a0 For more information and resources on managing your money and creating a budget visit:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/finance.youngmoney.com\/investing\/investing_basics\/Graduate_guide_week0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Graduates Guide to Life &amp; Money<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/moneymanagement.unt.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">University of North Texas Student Money Management Center<\/a><br \/>\nsee also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lynda.com\/Career-Development-tutorials\/How-negotiate-full-time-position\/461034\/500335-4.html\">How to Negotiate a Full Time Position<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Evaluating Job Offers Accepting\/Declining the Offer Salary Negotiation Additional Resources Evaluating Job Offers Deciding whether to take a particular job offering or choosing between different jobs offers can be difficult. 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