Negotiating at a new job

Good morning Dinks.  As mentioned on Monday I have some good news, I have a new job. Remember how my company went through a takeover and I had no idea what was going to happen with my career?  Well all that’s over now.  A job came up with my new employer, I applied for it, had two interviews and I got the job.  Isn’t that great?  All my worrying and stressing was for nothing because I am officially one of the first employees to move over to our new employer.

Starting a new job within the same company is very different than starting a new job with a new employer.  First of all information crosses over including performance reviews and all information can be verified as the new manager has direct access to your previous boss.

Should a new job always bring better things?

When we take a new job the idea is to have a new challenge with bigger and better benefits.  Last week I asked the Twitter-verse to tell me the best thing about starting a new job.  Some people said the new salary and other said the learning environment.  I personally think the change of scenery is a big plus when starting a new job but the idea of a big paycheck and more vacation is also very motivating.

But how do you negotiate everything you want without seeming ungrateful and totally selfish?

We have to find a graceful way to get everything we want without starting off on the wrong foot with our new boss.  So here’s the question, how do you negotiate your true value without setting a bad first impression?

Focus on what’s important

The truth is not everything is negotiable, some things just can’t be changed because they’re part of the standard company offering.  Salary and vacation are the most important things for me so that’s what I like to negotiate.  Employee benefits are also important but they usually aren’t negotiable because all employees receive the same treatment when it comes to health and dental coverage.

Have a reason for the increase

Asking for a raise is just like asking for any other favor, you need a good reason.  If you’re asking for more money or more vacation days tell your new boss (or HR Recruiter) why you deserve it.  List your accomplishments from the past year, talk about ideas you have for the new job as well as what your salary expectations are for the amount of work involved with the new position.

Don’t push too hard

When starting a new job you want to show that you’re the perfect candidate without seeming like you’re going to be a troubled employee.  I like to tell my employer what I’m worth, but if they don’t see the value it’s really out of my control at that point.

Under normal circumstances after two rounds of negotiations I would just walk out, but that’s if I was still at a job and had a fall back plan.  This company takeover is a bit different because my new boss knows my position is being eliminated and that I have to find a new job.  That makes negotiations a bit difficult.

I started my new job two weeks ago and all in all it was a good negotiation.  I will have the same 21 days vacation and a salary increase with a review (and additional increase) in six months.  I would have liked an extra week vacation and the salary isn’t exactly as much as I hoped, but I am O.K. with a review in six months instead of the normal year.  It shows they’re willing to make an effort and that’s always a compliment.

Kristina Tahnyak

Tahnya is a Certified Financial Planner and former Investment Advisor turned marketing and communications professional She holds a degree from Concordia University, is debt free and currently works in the field of digital marketing.