Activity: Career Search - Negotiating Job Offers

Some people say everything is negotiable, perhaps this is true. Still, organizations/businesses need to work within the confines of responsibilities, HR or union salaries, or and fiscal pressures, so simply cannot negotiate in some instances. 

Job offers can include the following details and all or some could be negotiable:

• Salary,
• Vacation,
• Extended benefits, 
• Paid sick time,
• Professional development, e.g., tuition reimbursement, 
• Unpaid or paid time off/flex time,
• Retirement packages,
• Job titles,
• Paid parental leave,
• Childcare,
• Relocation expenses,
• Work schedules/arrangements, e.g., work from home.

Going into the negotiation with the intention for both parties—yourself and the employer—to triumph is a positive and collaborative mindset to hold. Know your non-negotiables and be mindful of your expectations, more than likely you will need to compromise.

Additionally, you need to know your bottom line and when a position is not the right one for you. Are you in a position where you have been out of the workforce and will accept a position as a re-emergent role into the workforce? Or, do you have the room to wait for other positions to emerge? Or, is this a role that may offer lower than your expectations but does provide you with new skills and experiences to act as a ladder into your next career move? These are all important considerations.

Again, you need to know the value of what you offer the position and company, as well as your financial needs and obligations.