Evaluate and Negotiate Job Offers
As you grow in your career journey, it’s essential to master the art of evaluating and negotiating job offers. This skillset empowers you to make informed decisions and secure the best possible opportunities for your professional growth. Follow these four steps you build your confidence!
Know Yourself and the Company
When evaluating a job offer, reflect on what is important to you and how the company and position aligns. Consider these four factors when considering how an offer fits for you!
- Work Activities: What type of setting do you prefer? Do you enjoy working in a group or independently? Would you rather move around and gather empirical data, work outside, or rigourously calculate data?
- Nature of Employer Job: Would you prefer working for a Fortune 500 company or a small business? Are you looking for a set career pathway, or prefer to make it up as you go along?
- Pay & Benefits: Do you want a company with a high earning potential or generous time off policy? Are you looking for professional development support and tuition assistance? How important are your health benefits?
- Lifestyle: Where do you want to live? Big city? Small town? A place with easy access to outdoor activities or museums and theatre? Are you willing to have a long commute or would you rather work from home?
Research and Plan
Understand what salary the market supports for the position and understand the value you bring to plan for a successful negotiation.
Reflect on what you need for salary and benefits then research what the company has to offer:
Benefits/Perks: Look for information on the company website, review the content of the initial offer, and use resources like Vault and Glassdoor about company benefits.
Salary: There are many sites that help you understand salary levels. It is a good idea to compare several data points to get a clearer picture. Many states (including Colorado) must legally include a salary range in the job description.
Negotiate your offer!
Approach your negotiation with confidence by demonstrating the unique value you bring to the company! Here are a few steps:
Receive an offer:
- Slow down and take a breath
- Express gratitude and clarify the details
- Don’t negotiate at the time of the offer, instead understand your deadline for making a decision. Give yourself time to review your research and plan
Negotiate:
- Use open-ended questions
- Bring up the value and experiences you bring
- Reaffirm you are excited for the opportunity
- Make your counter offer – include a solid number or a range you are hoping for
- Get the final offer in writing.
Make your decision
Review the offer and compare to the list of factors important to you. The Offer Evaluation worksheet can help!
