How To Find a Job: Talking Money

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How To Find a Job Talking Money From Alison Doyle, your Guide to Job Searching Welcome to the Job Search Class! This week, we'll move from interviewing to preparing to negotiating compensation. First of all, if you haven't already done so, follow-up the interview with a personal Thank You note restating your interest in the position and the skills you offer the prospective employer. Discussing Salary When interviewing for a new position, do your best not to bring up compensation until the employer makes you an offer. If you're asked what your salary requirements are, say that they are open based upon the position and the overall compensation package. Or tell the employer you'd like to know more about the responsibilities and the challenges of the job prior to discussing salary. Another option is to give the employer a salary range based upon the salary research you've done up front. Once you've received the offer you don't need to accept (or reject) it right away. A simple "I need to think it over" can get you an increase in the original offer. Salary Negotations Before you start talking pay (and salary negotiations) with a prospective employer, you need to find out how much the job (and you) are worth. You will need to take the time to research salaries. That way you will be prepared to get what you're worth and to get a job offer that's realistic and reasonable. Benefits and Perks In addition to salary, you'll need to consider benefits and perks, Surveys by Ceridian Employer Services have found 65 percent of employers believe that perks help to attract employees. The average number of perks offered by companies range from 3.38 perks at the smallest employers to to 5.20 perks at firms with over 5000 employees. A sure sign that employers are paying attention to the importance of added benefits is the fact that the most frequently offered perks mirror the most frequently desired perks - casual dress and flexible work hours. Making a Decision You'll need to evaluate each offer on it's merits - the salary, the benefits and the perks, and determine how those perks will benefit you. For example, if you don't plan on having children for a while or if your children are grown, it's not that important whether on-site child care is offered. Despite your best efforts, there may simply not be enough money in the budget to increase your compensation offer. The company may also not want to create inequities by paying one person more than others in a similar position. In that case, you can at least know you tried. Plus, if this is a job you really think that you're going to love, consider whether the company culture, the benefits, and the job itself are worth it - regardless of the salary. This email is written by: Alison Doyle Job Searching Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'How To Find a Job' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement