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Other than salary, what have you asked for when negotiating?

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Other than salary, what have you asked for when negotiating? I am expecting an offer from an organization that is small and resource-strapped. They were upfront about their salary range, and after researching the range, I'm comfortable that the range is appropriate and competitive. I expect they will come back with an offer at the high end of their range; benefits are what they are. This leaves me little to negotiate. Assuming salary is acceptable, what other benefits might you negotiate? What have you successfully negotiated?

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  1. Jessica Burton

    Paid time off! This is something you don’t necessarily think about when you’re interested in a job and complete interviews. Every company- big or small- has a different way of assigning PTO. Make sure you’re clear if they have “sick days” or just one big bank of time you use to take for holidays, sick days, etc.

  2. Jessica Rutherford

    More vacation, work from home, flexibility in work hours. Congratulations on your offer!

  3. Stephanie Mansueto, Corporate Recruiter & Job Hunting Coach

    Signing bonus or performance bonus for monetary compensation.

    For non-monetary as Jessica mentioned below: vacation/PTO; work from home.

    Other ones may be: internet stipend; or if you have to go into the office a commuter/transport allowance/stipend; better position title if you feel the current one doesn't fully reflect the level of work.

  4. Andi Rosenberger

    This is a great question. I always ask about the required work schedule - what are their official business hours? Time zones operated in? Is flex time available?

    Has anyone negotiated workspace? An office rather than a cubicle, for example?

  5. Stephanie Oliva

    I haven't done it, but you can often negotiate vacation days, or other time off. My office has a generous leave policy, and the story is that years ago, the finances weren't there to give raises, so they instead gave all employees an additional five vacation days, and the policy stuck to present day. So that might be flexible.

  6. Barb Hansen

    These are all items that I have successfully negotiated (not all at the same company, but across my career)

    Quarterly performance bonuses

    Additional vacation time

    Educational and conference allowances

    Company stock (with no or limited vesting time)

    Higher title (if you are applying for a Director role, ask for a Senior Director or Executive Director title)

    Good luck!

  7. Gretchen Osterman

    Beyond everything else listed..an intern

  8. Kathryn

    In orocess I will be asking for additional vacation days I know they dont have actual dollars but they negotiate that and I will be asking for a title Gen manager is desperate for me but owners in another state are acting like they have not had four bad hires in this role. I will prevail or move on. I keep in my head they want me but I do not have to work there

  9. Anonymous

    I once negotiated for additional funds to cover the 2-year period before I could enter the employer’s retirement plan. Flex time and work from home are also negotiable items.

  10. Anonymous

    Since I know they could not offer a higher salary, I asked for the same amount of vacations days that I currently have.

  11. Kelly O'Shieles

    I did as well, successfully.

  12. Anonymous

    I have negotiated -

    • additional PTO days
    • additional compensation in exchange for benefits (we were covered under my SOs plan)
    • continued education opportunities - this one can be tricky. it became so popular, departments started budgeting for it and it was no longer a useful negotiation tool

    In reality, I think most things can be considered negotiable, really depends on how flexible the company is. Good luck and congratulations!

  13. Lynetta Venable

    I have negotiated work space, equipment and training that makes success in my role easier.

  14. Robyn jones

    I have negotiated yearly membership dues to a professional society and all expenses covered to attend annual conferences.

  15. Judi Cardillo

    Work from home, and vacation days.

  16. Tina May

    Additional PTO

  17. Beth Harrison

    Work from home, benefits, 401k matching, if a start up- equity in the company and flexible schedule

  18. Orlagh Costello

    Holidays? Training? Professional memberships?

  19. Ashley Basilio

    A sign on bonus, extra week of vacation or a better title. Good luck!

  20. Dr. Ginny A. Baro

    Great insights. I would negotiate “training” and professional development in addition to the other comments, in order if priority for you. ❤️

  21. Deanna McNeil

    I think it’s important to be intentional about additional time off.

    We should always be learning, growing and using that time (or some part of the new negotiated time off) to grow professionally is prudent. It should be made clear to the new employer they can catch a “live one” if they’ve got their wits about. Good luck, you’ve got this!

  22. Anonymous

    Extra PTO days!!

  23. Jennifer Finger

    PTO and remote work.

  24. Carrie Jo Arndt

    I’ve asked a company that doesn’t normally offer it to have one work from home day a week. My reasoning was this - if I have that day away to be able to focus 100 percent of my energy without interruptions then I can be fully present in the workplace with my fellow employees.

  25. Christi Miller

    I like what others have said, PTO and work from home. You could also consider time to attend seminars or training related to your job. Or the company pays for you to get a certificate in your field.

  26. Jennifer Monaco

    PTO, remote work, sign on bonus and stock options(if applicable).

    I love the suggestion for training and certifications too.

  27. Jennifer Taylor

    PTO, Paid sick time, tuition reimbursement for advanced degree or certificate program, remote day(s)

  28. Sharmil McKee

    See if they will increase their match to your HSA (health savings account) and your 401k. Those kinds of benefits really make a difference to your long term financial stability.

  29. Mary L Woods

    Benefits namely STD & LTD. I see it less & less. As we age it’s more likely to occur and I need income if I’m out.

    PTO provided I still am able to produce around it.

  30. Rachel Olchowka

    Guaranteed severance.
    Options with accelerated vesting schedule. Signing bonus. Higher educational allowance.

    I see a lot of people saying extra PTO and while they may say yes, this is the kind of thing that makes other people mad and jealous and is visible, so think about team dynamics.

  31. Anonymous

    Schedule. I work remotely and not on the phone or where I have to be available to anyone. So I work 40 hours but off early enough to where it feels like part time hours.

  32. Liz Wanic

    If time off is important to you, you can try to negotiate for more paid time off. But there are some places that will go for this and some that won't. A larger signing bonus is usually negotiable as well.

  33. Anonymous

    Always ask for additional salary. I am in the same situation and they agreed to an additional $10K over their max. For the right person they will find the money. Also, you can negotiate for more PTO, the hours you work (especially if they aren't based in the US), a sign on bonus, cell phone and internet (if remote) as some smaller companies don't tend to pay for these. Other options are professional dues, certification cost, education or career advancement training needs.

  34. sherrywagner

    Extra vacation time or PTO. For example the whole week of Christmas off or the ability to start using vacation time at 6 months.

    I have given both an extra week of vacation as well as the ability to use vacation at 6 months.

  35. Tracey Davidson Mizell

    Additional PTO, cell phone allowance; tolltag allowance; continuing ed allowance

  36. Malia Fox Mason

    In general, I think you inquire about perks they can (cheaply) provide. I dont know enough about you, your situation, or your employer but here are things that one could, in theory, ask for: extra vacation days, flexible scheduling, delaying a start date, personal days/parental leaves, increased family benefits and/or supplemental insurance coverage, tuition reimbursement, enhanced job training, adoption assistance, work from home arrangement, involvement in certain projects, exposure to certain people, reimbursement for commuting costs, etc.

  37. Beth Daniell

    One thing I would suggest is to keep any "special" terms agreed to close at hand. Big and small, when exceptions are made and maybe the person who made the agreement (or the HR/finance person who executes it) leaves the company or changes roles, these exceptions can be hard to maintain (especially things like flexible work arrangements, paying phone/commuting bills).

    The education piece is an excellent answer because it can be an example of your commitment to the company and the career path. And I believe it is a write-off for them.

  38. Chre M. Davis, M.S.Ed.

    Even more important to me than salary, and if full benefits are not provided, is flexible and generous PTO. If you are not able to meet the expected salary, I'd like to know there is an option to get there. The real possibility of getting a raise/promotion is something that makes a difference so you know that growth is possible.

    And just overall culture can make a big difference if salary requirements cannot be met.

  39. Michelle Hoffman

    One of the things I was always told was negotiable was vacation. If you have 10 or more years in the same field the company should be offering 3 weeks minimum of vacation. Now days it appears more and more companies are offering 3 weeks up front to everyone - but some are lumping sick days in that number and others are not. So understand the definition of PTO or vacation days. The premise is you are salaried so they are paying the same amount of money to you whether you have 3 weeks of vacation or 4 weeks of vacation. So ask for an additional week if they are cash strapped.

  40. Anjali Mathai

    You could ask for things like:

    • additional vacation time and PTO time
    • hybrid work model (work from home on Fridays)
    • salary review and increase after 6 months
    • one time sign on bonus
    • a certain amount for on-going professional development trainings
    • professional coaching packages

    Good luck!

  41. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)

    Great question- great topic! I’ve personally never fretted about salary. I think you have the right attitude about it. When asking for perks, what’s important to YOU? Vacation time? Sick time?

  42. Alison Harris

    Depending on the role, I agree with a lot of the recommendations.

    Time is going to be your most valuable resource followed by educational opportunities.

    Get EVERYTHING in writing with a timeline attached to it.

    In any new employment contract ensure you are reporting to a role, not a person. Add in a Salary review and cost of living increase (typically 6% per year) for each year of service.

    Read your contract carefully, especially with small organizations. If they pull a generic employment contract it might have some strange language in it.

    I would also preemptively have a one-week vacation planned before starting.

  43. Anonymous

    6% per year increase? That hasn't been my experience! Dang ..

  44. Julie E

    I’ve never gotten a 6% increase. Not even this year with inflation at 7%. I was told I was at the high end at 3.23% and I work for a major bank. I want to work where you work!

  45. Anonymous

    I have worked for three (3) fortune 500 companies and never have we received a cost of living increase. We have been given merit raises (technically tied to the good ole Performance Management Document review) anywhere from zero ( 2009 when the economy sank) to the high of 3.9%. Most of the time they fall between 2.5 to 3.5% - depending where your performance and salary compared to market falls. If you can negotiate 6% in your employment agreement go for it.

  46. Alison Harris

    Here's the sucker punch that experience gives. You can actually ask for a standard COLA adjustment to be included in your offer letter and excluded as consideration for bonuses and merit-based increases.

    It doesn't always work, but if has since I figured it out ;)

    Here's what I've learned: You can request that a COLA increase be standard annually. Most companies will push back on it, however, I find that many are willing to give that 6% standard increase annually because it costs them so much less in other areas.

    The "gimme" for most companies is the 401K match or foregoing health insurance (especially if it's a smaller company).

    "I would love to accept this role, but without 401K match or 100% covered healthcare, the only way I I can take the role with this salary is with an annual cost of living adjustment. The 6% a year is much less than other benefits."

    The HM will typically think that you'll be out in a year or two, it'll cost them less than $20K and it'll keep you happy.

    Something else to remember: Benefits can be taken away, the cash is your pocket can't.

  47. Anonymous

    Same

  48. Aurora Meyer

    This is one of my favorite things to discuss because salary is just one of many factors that contribute to job satisfaction. I have a quick write up here: https://aurorameyer.com/2021/03/31/negotiating-a-job-offer-beyond-compensation/

    In a brief overview, write out what a perfect offer would look like including salary range, paid time off and dream big items. If you aren't sure what to include on the dream big items check out glassdoor.com and shrm.org and look for compensation packages.

    I second the recommendations to get everything in writing, even if it is you following up with an email after a verbal discussion.

  49. Anonymous

    I agree with what a lot of the contributors have said. Time is your greatest assets. I have negotiated extra weeks off because of the level they were hiring into. And. Absolutely get everything in writing. I’ve been burned on everything from commissions to getting taxed on a perk no one else taxes for, so every little detail written out. Also be wary of National Holidays. Most people expect & get between 10-12 holidays off in the US. I’ve worked for a couple that didn’t disclose they only took 6 days as holidays. It’s a lot of time & you don’t realize it!

  50. Elizabeth White-Peters

    Small & strapped - is it a start-up? If so, ask for equity! Always let them know the salary BASE is within expectations. Then be empowered and ask for more. Do your research on what the next step up in career would be. If it requires specific learnings, than be sure that professional development is part of your career growth plan..and yes, that can be added in writing!

  51. Anonymous

    Because my role doesn’t require me to be in person, I negotiated successfully for flex time before accepting the offer (6 a.m.-3 p.m.).
    At the time, corporate roles at the company were fully remote, due to COVID. Later, it expanded its policy on alternative work arrangements — options for flex time, compressed time, hybrid and remote working. When people began returning to the office, I petitioned to remain remote, which was also accepted.
    My philosophy is you’ll never get what you want if you don’t ask, and the worst they can say is no. Best of luck!

  52. Joycelyn M. Siame

    I have negotiated schedule, PTO and Overtime. You spend most of your time at work... you need to make sure you are taken care of...

  53. Anonymous

    Time off, signing bonus, stock options, relocation expenses

  54. Anonymous

    An extra week of vacation to match what I had in my current position. A lump sum signing bonus to cover my COBRA health insurance expenses prior to being eligible for the company health plan.

  55. Karen Gongaware

    Health benefits (with dental and vision) starting from day one of employment, extra 5 days of paid vacation (21 days total), and from one job a gas credit card (instead of buying gas and waiting 3 months for reimbursement.

  56. Ellen Smith Fagan

    Negotiating happens every minute of every day - part of navigating it all.

    I have my own business, so I like jobs that are more task than hours focused - as long as it's all done by five on Friday - yay!

    Also, I am older and my life works like the miracle it is supposed to be as long as I stay real. Task oriented jobs let me sidetrack for a PT session or silver sneakers or yoga to keep me quite up to it all. I do not usually look for job that means I must stay at my desk AT a physical location for more than half a day.

    I have prizes gifts and skills and if they like me, i make my extras available to them. Negotiating for what extras I can give, rather than always self-seeking on the job really wins.

    There is more but that's enough for now.

  57. Krista Layfield

    Benefits, work from home, flexible days off.

  58. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | Recruiter

    what I often see in a negotiation is whatever the candidate finds most valuable - lately PTO, although I've seen candidates negotiate for time specifically to volunteer with an organization they're involved in or ask if the company will provide a match to a donation to that organization.

  59. Sarah

    I recently negotiated more PTO. Our PTO was based off of years with the company. I used my experience and years in the industry to support my ask for more vacation.

  60. Maureen Drinkwater

    There is already a great list of responses. I will add two additional possible points of negotiation that may or may not be relevant to your job offer, but perhaps others will be able to negotiate these terms.

    It can be possible to negotiate the job responsibilities and the status or classification of the job. For one position, I negotiated the responsibilities of the job to exclude a task I did not prefer. I was not fond of working in a lab. My resume and my explanation of my work history in interviewing for the job clearly showed I had moved away from benchwork. There was a small element of the job that could have involved processing and storing specimens. The remainder of the job had administrative duties that would be performed in an office setting.

    For another job, which was initially classified as per diem, I negotiated a change of status to exclude "per diem" and include "part-time, temporary". I did not want to be given last-minute notice that I was or was not needed to work on a particular day for this job. The classification change prompted establishing a routine work schedule for me. This job was ineligible for benefits, but in some cases reclassification of a job might affect benefits eligibility.

  61. Anonymous

    Parking or transit pass. Telework

  62. Annetta Moses

    Ideally, you have done your homework and understand want is potential compensation and perks for the city where you live, the industry, the company, your level, and most importantly what is valued by you. Also know when you are negotiating if it is a must have or a nice to have. The company can decline everything you ask for. You should have everything that is agreed to in your offer letter or employment contract.

    + base salary

    + annual bonus based on performance or profit sharing

    + equity, depending on the company you may need to be a director or higher to receive equity

    + hiring bonus

    + free or reduced cost parking

    + transportation voucher for public transportation ( I once worked for a company that gave employees free monthly bus passes to encourage the use of public transportation)

    + free or reduced cost child care

    + 4 or 5 weeks vacation

    + professional organizations' annual dues, conference registrations

    + payment for tuition reimbursement or payment of weekend or evening degree programs

    + home office equipment i.e., computer printer, shredder, extra monitor, desk chair if you work from home

    + cell phone bill payment

    + flexible work hours

    + summer hours ( June-July work extra hours to have Fri afternoons off)

    Good luck.

  63. L brown

    This may or not apply to the job you're applying for; but as a teacher, I want to know up front about prep time and other duties, those would be things I would negotiate. My subject area this year is a new one and I knew I would need lots of planning time both for myself and time also set aside for collaboration with others.

  64. Shannon Tippit

    I have negotiated for health care. It was a prepaid doctor, not insurance, but my employer paid the retainer.

  65. Maureen B. Weisner

    Yes, concierge physician's yearly fee can be pricey and an excellent suggestion.

  66. Anonymous

    When I accepted my new position, I got it in writing that I not be required to be vaccinated against Covid, as I am not good with new pharma and had the virus anyway.

  67. Kristin Irwin, AIA, NCARB

    If your job requires a license or certification you could ask for reimbursements for fees. Also membership dues, continuing education, conferences, and networking fees could all be negotiable.

  68. Anonymous

    Remote work, flexibility in schedule, more pto.

  69. Tiana Mumford

    Greetings

    Remote , flexible schedule, hours and paid holidays. Pay

  70. Anonymous

    Work-life balance! So many burn-out these days, and easier to discuss up front. Kids and family-life is already demanding enough, and our families should always be a priority (they are the ones still there when jobs let us go and don’t value employees like they used to), so no use in working to the bone and neglecting what’s important.

  71. Daniel Ames

    As someone who teaches negotiation (to MBAs, non-profit leaders, etc.), let me say: you're asking a very smart question. It's worth thinking about what has potential value to you ... and what might be within the organizations power to grant. That varies from person to person. For example, some people really prize development and advancement opportunities. For them, they might negotiate a timeline for reviews/promotion or specific development opportunities. For others, a priority might be around schedules or the ability to work from home on occasion.

    Here's a link to a worksheet that sketches some possibilities:

    https://www.gonegotiable.com/s/Job-negotiation-issues.pdf

    Perhaps something in there will be helpful. That worksheet is part of Negotiable's larger Job Negotiation Workbook. You can find out more about that here:

    https://www.gonegotiable.com/job

    (NOTE: Negotiable is extending a discount to FGB members: 80% off with code FGB22)

  72. Crystal Howell

    You stated it's a small company with resource strapped, think about a larger company not so strapped. Maybe check the company financials Yahoo finance, dun&bradstreet, Better business bureau, secretary of state you want a financially sound company.

    Check them out like they check you out!

    I worked at a small company, and when they had a bad year,all commissions and bonuses were cut across the board. No more small ones for me, I left!

  73. Audra Henderson

    Small company little wiggle room for a higher salary. Ask for more paid time off, remote days, can the company pay more into your 401k if they add to it. I would check out their financials and make sure you ask for a yearly bonus if targets are met and have a stipulation of retro bonus if the company is not doing well for a particular year.

  74. Anonymous

    I was able to negotiate my start/end times for daily work to better suit my needs and my company's needs. This was after I'd been with them for about a year or so, tho.

  75. Anonymous

    A title change.
    If the position title is pretty generic, its always good to ask for a title change. Sometimes Program Coordinator sounds better than Team Lead.

  76. Anonymous

    Question - what would add value to your life?

    When my kids were young, I worked at a prestigious University and was doing very well professionally. However, it was so stressful because I was a single parent with little support. If my kids were sick, no one wanted to hear it - work was priority. Honestly, there were times that I sent my kids to school although I know that they were not feeling well. I feel bad about that even today. I soon got another job and part of my negotiation was the flexibility to work from home in those situations.

    After 14 years, my priority was different. I wanted the ability to be more creative in my work. Hence, I resigned to start my own company.

    Long story short, we have to continuously evaluate our lives so we can make choices and/or negotiate for what is in our best interest at the time.

    All the best!

  77. Anonymous

    Flexibility, work/life balance, understanding the health and other benefits, work schedule (coincides with work/life balance), casual convo on the company culture and work environment.

    Good luck!

  78. Anonymous

    If it's a contracting gig, ask how long the contract will be and your position duration.

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