Post Interview Process
Preparing for an interview takes a lot of time and thoughtfulness, but what do you once it’s over? You will go through several more steps before actually starting a new position, assuming you get the offer! This chapter will help you navigate the process of learning from each interview you have, evaluating job offers, negotiating a starting salary, knowing how to humbly decline an offer, and accepting your new career position.
Negotiating an Offer
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1. When is it appropriate to bring up salary in a job interview?
Generally, you should never talk about salary unless the employer initiates the conversation (you will come off as being just concerned about the money!). The employer might tell you,
“The salary range for this position is between $X-$X,”
or the employer may ask,
“What kind of salary are you expecting?”
In that event, say something like,
“Based on my experience and qualifications, I would expect to make between $X and $X, which according to my research is appropriate for this position and hopefully within your acceptable range.”
Remember that it is easier to start higher and negotiate down than to start lower and try to convince them you’re worth more. They may ask you this question just to make sure that your expectations are appropriate.
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2. What if I don’t like conflict or don’t want to come across as overly aggressive?
Salary negotiation does not have to be a dramatic confrontation or an initiation of conflict; it is a business conversation that does not need to be taken personally. Be confident in who you are and what you offer. Research your position thoroughly so that your appeal is not an emotional one but rather one that is based on facts and evidence.
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3. What are my options if I receive an offer from one company but I really want to wait and see if I get one from my dream employer?
After receiving the offer from the first company, ask to get it in writing, and then request a few days to review. Then, contact the hiring manager at the dream employer and say something like,
“I am a candidate for the available position, [title]. I understand that you have a very thorough interview process, but I wanted to let you know that I recently received a very attractive offer from another company to which I need to respond soon. Because I am still very interested in working for your company, I wanted to request information on where I am in your interview process.”
If the dream employer makes you an offer within your time limit - great! Compare them and decide which is best. If they do not, decide whether you’d like to take the concrete offer you’ve already received or take the risk on the dream job.
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4. What if the salary isn’t negotiable?
Before you launch into an articulate and well-researched pitch of why you are worth a higher salary, it is appropriate to first ask,
“How negotiable are the salary and benefits?”
If they give the impression that there is wiggle room, ask when their response deadline is, and complete your research before that time. If they firmly state that the salary is set, then decide if you are willing to accept the position at a lower pay rate than anticipated in order to gain other potential advantages (quick promotions, vacation time, etc.).
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5. What are some effective negotiation strategies?
Be aware that there is always a risk for an employer to rescind their offer if they feel offended by your negotiation tactics. Always be professional and kind. Here are a few tips:
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Genuinely thank the employer for the offer.
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Focus on one or two parts of the offer to counter - don’t pick apart the whole thing!
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Make sure you present research - your counter should be in line with what appears in the industry
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Do not respond immediately, which can cause you to make a decision based on emotion.
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You can write your counter if it makes you feel more comfortable.
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Make sure you’re negotiating with the decision maker and not an intermediary.
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6. What other things are negotiable, besides the salary and benefits?
Many things are negotiable beyond just the salary and benefits. Here are few examples:
Responsibilities - If you can justify that you are capable of doing more than what the job requires, this might give you grounds for a bump in pay.
Title - Like responsibilities, you can convince an employer that you are deserving of a more prestigious title by showing evidence of your leadership skills and level of expertise.
Signing Bonus - If you are being recruited from another company or are taking on a sales role, you may be eligible for a signing bonus. These tend to be staggered over time, and sometimes you can negotiate more if you increase your waiting time (ex: instead of $500 in six months, ask for $750 in one year).
Review Date - Expedite a possible raise by negotiating a sooner review date.
Tuition Reimbursement - Convince your employer that you will become a greater asset to them if they invest in your education. This could be worth tens of thousands of dollars!
Work Schedule - Do you like to work independently and on your own time? Negotiate your work hours or see if they will let you work remotely, if you can prove that it will not affect your productivity.
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7. Do I HAVE to provide my current and past salary information to a potential new employer?
Though you can decline to provide this information, your application might be automatically discarded. Employers ask for this information to have the upper hand in negotiation and to evaluate candidates. If you are currently making less than what you feel you would deserve in the new position, be prepared to justify the value you will bring. Whatever you do, don’t lie about it - this information can usually be sought out anyways!
