5 perks to negotiate other than your salary
MD
Concepts and Careers
Har Simran Kaur
Yes, your salary is the most important thing to negotiate when considering a job offer but think outside the box during your negotiations to get perks such as flexible working hours, free snacks etc. To be successful, you need to know how to approach the negotiation and what to ask for.
You must ASK for it!
- Flexible hours: This is the most common perk and works amazing with the workers having complicated schedules.
- Snacks and beverages: Free snacks and beverages, gym membership are entering the realm of possibility these days.
- Free on-site childcare: This can make the biggest difference for working parents. There are no extra trips for picking up or dropping off your child, and you can pop in anytime to share lunch, snacks, or stories.
- On-call pay: This won’t be appropriate for everyone. But in case you have on-call shifts you can ask for gas reimbursement for your vehicle.
- Free dry-cleaning: Aside from the out-of-pocket expense, anything that makes your life easier, reduces stress, and saves time is a priceless offering.
Negotiation starts with knowledge
Before you enter the room to negotiate, make sure you’re prepared and have the knowledge necessary to speak with authority. Here are five places to start:
- Research the company: This is the most important one. Read all the online reviews and dig into the company’s website and social media accounts. Pay close attention to the company’s vision and mission. This can give you an idea about the environment of the company.
- Talk to current employees: If you already know someone working at the company, ask what benefits are available and what attracted he or she to work there.
- Strength and weakness: You should always know where you stand and what are your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t let a pot of gold tempt you into a job you will hate doing.
- Know the key figures: The leaders of the company are the ones who will set the policy and culture, make sure you know the style and outlook of these leaders.
- Always be ready to walk away: If you are accepting whatever your company is offering you, there is no negotiation. You should stick to your guns and employers can sense when there’s a line they can’t cross in negotiation.