Job Hunt January: Negotiating for what you value
The fear I hear most often in my career chats is this: What if I leave for a new job and that workplace is just as bad, or worse?
As you reach the final stages of your job hunt, you can take steps to check how well the new company is prepared to support you.
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This can start during the interview process, when you focus on presenting the unique value you would bring to a role. When it’s your turn to ask the questions, evaluate the fit for yourself by thinking about what’s most important to your success. Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics -- it’s not enough for a potential employer to claim they support employee growth, ask them for examples of how they have supported the development of employees within the past year.
Once the long-awaited job offer has come through and you’re so close to the finish line you can taste it, it’s tempting to leap at the first deal you’re given. Don’t lose this chance to consider what matters for your professional and personal happiness more expansively.
As she was considering a job offer for an HR role, a friend of mine asked whether the company had a system that would allow her to more easily track and manage compensation. They didn’t. So she made the business case in her negotiation and when she accepted the offer, it included the company’s pledge to buy the tool, which they did within three months of her start date.
Amazing! I’d never considered asking my soon-to-be employers to buy tools to help me do my new job better.
There are a number of non-salary elements to a job offer that people have successfully requested, including:
- more vacation time
- time working from home
- professional development funds and resources
- new office equipment
- relocation expenses
This last stage is a chance for you to evaluate your future employer on the aspects of your work life that matter most to you, and to set yourself up for success. You’re not just getting a job, you’re finding your flow. It’s worth a little extra effort to get off to a strong start on this next part of your journey.
Happy navigating,
Bridget
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