4 Ways to Negotiate Creatively

Money is not the only thing you can negotiate when starting a new job. You need to consider what the other components are in the offer. Here is a list of things that you can negotiate:

1. EVERYTHING

There I said it – everything is negotiable. Ok, maybe not everything (how much the company contributes to the 401K plan is regulated) but a lot of things. Negotiations start before an offer is even talked about. If you are interviewing with a new company – find out as much as you can about their culture, benefits, perks, salary, and bonus structure – so you can determine what is important to you. Salary is the least interesting thing to negotiate.

I worked with a candidate who negotiated his golf club membership fees at a fancy club in town. He laid out all the reasons why they should pay for them. He could meet new connections there, take clients for an afternoon of golf, and build relationships. Guess what, they paid for it. Basically, his salary increased by the amount of the golf fees that he no longer has to pay.

Understanding what is up for negotiation will allow you to be better prepared when the time comes to negotiate your compensation package. Most hiring managers are only thinking of how a new salary affects their bottom line. This is your chance to think outside the box. Here is how to get started:

1. Determine what is important to you. Make a list of things that are motivating you to change jobs or companies. List out short-term and long-term goals for yourself professionally. These lists will allow you to think creatively.
2. What is the value of your ask for the employer? What are they benefiting by allowing you to you this special request? Most people want to know what’s in it for them.
3. Be ready to negotiate all year. You don’t have to limit yourself to negotiating only when you start the job. As you work with a company, you will notice things that need to be addressed OR negotiated. This could be small things like conflicting deadlines or larger things like an incentive bonus for taking on an unexpected project. Sometimes, you don’t know what needs to be negotiated until you’ve been there a little while.
4. Invest in yourself. Don’t discount the ability to invest in yourself with training, coaching or certifications. If your company doesn’t offer training programs – find organizations that you can join that will enable you to learn more about your field. Ask your company to pay for it. If they won’t pay for it this year, ask if it can be added to next year’s budget.

Don’t wait until your next job search or evaluation to begin thinking about your motivations and what you can potentially negotiate. Take time to make your lists and think creatively now.