Job Negotiation Strategies

Do your research

Research the company, industry, and position to understand the standard compensation and benefits — also, research comparable positions on sites like salary.com, glassdoor.com, payscale.com, and onetonline.com.

Know your worth

Evaluate your skills, experience, and education to determine your value and set a realistic salary expectation. Negotiating is a two-way street. Explain to the employer how your skills, experience, and education bring value to the company to help them achieve their goals.

Consider non-salary benefits

Negotiate for benefits such as flexible work hours, location, vacation time, start date, commission/bonus, title, or professional development opportunities.

Prioritize your goals

Identify your top priorities and set clear objectives for the negotiation process. Also, take note of where you're willing to compromise.

Be confident and assertive

Be confident in your abilities and the value you bring while being assertive in communicating your expectations and needs. These skills can help you negotiate more effectively.

Practice active listening

Listen to the employer's needs and concerns and find a mutually beneficial solution.

Get the offer in writing

Make sure to get the negotiated offer in writing, including all details such as salary, benefits, and job responsibilities.

Maintain a positive relationship

Even if the negotiation does not go as planned, keep a positive attitute when communicating with the employer and express gratitude for the opportunity.

Avoid ultimatums

Don't make demands or ultimatums, which can be contentious or difficult to work with.

Handling multiple offers

You can use this as a negotiation tool if you have multiple offers. Let your top choice know you have another offer, but don't share details such as salary, start date, etc. For more tips, watch this Backpack to Briefcase episode

Navigating Offers and Negotiations

Self Guided Resources

Job Offer Worksheet

Ultimate Guide to Negotiating Your Salary

Reneging or Backing Out

Understanding the consequences of reneging or backing out of a job offer is critical, as it can impact your future career prospects and reputation. It can also affect the reputation of the Huntsman School of Business can also be negatively impacted. The key to professionally reneging on a job offer is to communicate with the employer honestly and promptly, take responsibility for your decision, and learn from the experience. Below are some tips to consider.

Be sure before accepting

Before accepting a job offer, ensure that you have thoroughly researched the company, the role offered, and the responsibilities that come with it. This skill will help you make an informed decision and minimize the chances of backing out later.

Be honest and timely

If you decide to renege after accepting an offer, do so as soon as possible and professionally. It is essential to be honest with the employer and explain the reasons for your decision. Delaying the news or being evasive can harm not only your reputation but also the reputation of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. The situation can also create unnecessary stress for the employer.

Communicate effectively

You should communicate your decision directly with the employer or hiring manager, either in person, by phone, or by email. Express regret for the inconvenience caused.

Be prepared for consequences

Backing out after accepting a job offer can have negative consequences, such as damaging relationships with the employer and other professionals in the industry. Be prepared to face these consequences and take responsibility.

Learn from the experience

Whether the decision to back out of the job offer was due to personal reasons or changes in circumstances, reflect on the experience and learn from it. Take note of what you can do differently in the future to avoid similar situations.

Backing out of a job offer can be a difficult conversation, although sometimes unavoidable. The scripts below can guide you as you personalize your message and express your thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully.

Reneging Scripts