Tips for Negotiating?

Samantha

March 22,2022 at 3:56PM UTC

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Tips for Negotiating?

I'm looking for:

Paid Parental leave (I work in a male dominated field - with not females in the department, so it's not usually in the forefront of their minds) Ideally 6 weeks on top of their short term disability, but I know that is asking for a lot.

3-4 weeks of vacation (4 would be great)

Flexibility to continue coaching my high school swim team in Aug-Nov, Every other week we have practice 4-6 so I would need to probably be out earlier. Plus I have a meet every week where I would need to be there as well. (they're already flexible for appts. and sick kids and things that come up like this, but this is a longer term thing that I would want to be able to do - I've done it at two different jobs in the past and while tricky, it hasn't been a problem)

Any tips are appreciated! Also if you think there is any other things that are good to negotiate, let me know!

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Melissa Boillot, SHRM - SCPMarch 22,2022 at 4:40PM UTC
If you have already accepted the job than it isn’t so much a negotiation as it is discussing flexibility with your leader.
if you have yet to accept the position, I would wait until the offer period and then discuss the schedule, benefits, etc.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterMarch 22,2022 at 5:14PM UTC
There is no need to bring this up before you receive a bona fide job offer, so that is step #1.
Once you receive the offer, decide what are your non-negotiables, i.e. the most essential components of what you've listed above.
You can begin by asking for all of the above, knowing that you are willing to give up the less important items to make sure you have your non-negotiables.
Make sure you negotiate from a business perspective, rather than a personal one. Your employer (sorry to say) doesn't care about your swim team or plan to have children...they care about whether the job is going to get done, and done well. Present a plan that recognizes this and shows that you will still do a great job.
Leslie MillsMarch 22,2022 at 5:41PM UTC
The more professionally you interview, the response from your interviewer and the positive vibes you create increase your chances of receiving an offer. A solid offer is Step one.
You negotiate your personal needs and perks after the offer, Step two.
If your requirements are such a high priority, carefully study company benefits before your appointment.
Get the job first.
Leslie
SamanthaMarch 22,2022 at 6:35PM UTC
Absolutely! I did hear from the recruiter and they're figuring out salary (as what they were thinking is a lot lower than what I asked for originally)
I can't find information on their benefits, but if/when I do receive an offer, I was planning on asking about benefits to better understand what I need to negotiate.
AnonymousMarch 22,2022 at 5:55PM UTC
You should absolutely ask for the salary you want, but also it's sometimes easier to negotiate items like this if the compensation is lower than you had in mind. "I could work for $XXX if I had four weeks of leave and flexibility to leave at 3:30 for six weeks of the year."
SamanthaMarch 22,2022 at 6:39PM UTC
Yes! I totally get this. I actually just got a call from the recruiter and they're working out the salary and were calling this an entry level position and offering 20k below what I was asking. I feel like the first step would be to ask for everything and see what they come back with, and then offer reducing for things like flexibility to leave at xx time and paid leave.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMarch 22,2022 at 6:13PM UTC
So it depends - at some companies, the things you mentioned like paternal leave and vacation are Company Policy and not negotiable.
SamanthaMarch 22,2022 at 6:41PM UTC
Totally understand this! I do think that is debateable. I work at a company that says that it's our company policy that if you have this much experience your vacation is xx weeks, but I negotiated that. Sooo I don't necessarily think calling company policy law.
Sophie JoernMarch 22,2022 at 6:29PM UTC
Negotiate everything you would like at once! It is more difficult to add on requests after you come to an agreement if possible. Write down what you would like to say to feel more prepared and ask your manager (or recruiter/hiring manager for new roles) to schedule a meeting to discuss a few requests. All of the items you addressed are reasonable benefits in today's market - especially for a superstar employee!
Crystal RhinebergerMarch 22,2022 at 11:18PM UTC
There’s always driving the bus… I plunged right in for reasons of needing the same schedule as my son, the flexibility, and the income…
its not a bad job at all!