Tweet

Ten Ways to Sweeten the Job or Job Offer

Written by: Alvah Parker

Article Overview: One aspect of meaningful work is being compensated adequately for the work that you do. If it seems unlikely that your firm will raise your salary, then try negotiating other aspects of your job. Read this list of 10 ways to get other benefits incorporated into your job offer or compensation package for the year and to get ideas about how to improve a lackluster offer

Ten Ways to Sweeten the Job or Job Offer

One aspect of meaningful work is being compensated adequately for the work that you do. Whether you are currently in ajob having survived a lay off or negotiating for a new job, you are probably finding that raises are small or non existent and offers are lower than what you were used to. Even if you did not get all the money that you wanted, there are other perks that can be negotiated. Don't give up what is critical to you but find other ways to make the job more attractive. Now may be the time you actually negotiate work/life balance into your job! A firm needs people who are happy, energetic and enthusiastic to develop the business and do the work. Here are 10 ideas to help you to negotiate a really great offer.

1. Use your strengths. If the job description includes pieces that do not play to your strengths and you can see a way to show that the piece that you do want is important enough to be your primary responsibility, negotiate dropping the less attractive pieces. (You will need to show them that focusing on this piece is important to the company.)

2. New to the firm? Ask for an introduction from the firm leader or someone high enough up in the organization that can transmit power to you. This will make managing a team easier and will help you get the kinds of work you want.

3. Improve your performance through better resources. Ask for more people, more budget for your department/group, or other resources for you and your department/group to help you perform better, faster and more thoroughly.

4. Get customized hours for your situation. Ask for different hours than are normal for the organization. For example: Come in earlier and leave earlier. (This can help with work/life balance)

5. Increase the vacation time or get vacation when you need it. Ask for specific vacation dates (vacation during school vacations) or extra vacation time (4 weeks instead of 3). (This can help with work/life balance)

6. Set an objective that is important to the firm. Determine a time frame in which you could accomplish a key goal and ask for a bonus upon completion.

7. Telecommute from home full time or part time. Ask for the ability to telecommute a certain number of times during the week or month. (This can help with work/life balance)

8. Improve your skills. Think about becoming a "Thought Leader" or "Subject Matter Expert". Look for possible training in skills where you want to develop expertise or ask for a tuition reimbursement plan if you want to pursue an advanced degree. Get the company to cover memberships to professional associations and subscriptions to professional and business magazines and newspapers.

9. Ask for a specific job title. If your firm puts value on a particular title, ask for that title.

10. If this is a new job for you, ask for a signing bonus. Add a signing bonus to a bonus on completion of the key goal may get you close to the salary you were asking for. Of course next year you'll drop back to the salary but by then you can be looking for other ways to increase your salary.

Related Articles
  Marketing Strategies for a Small Business I learned One Summer
  How to Use the Honeymoon Approach To Increase Sales
  Influencing the Job Offer to Get the Title, Salary and Flexibility You Desire
  Writing a Successful Sales Letter
  Straight and Simple Marketing for SOHOs

Article Tags: compensation package, job offer, meaningful work, salary



Related Forum Posts
Re: Ideas on Using Twitter for Business - I would like to add: Provide support through Twitter Offer giveaways + contests
Re: Surveys show more and more customers are cutting costs - Adapt and adjust. Offer coupons, deals and specials. If people think they are getting a good deal they will buy even in a tough economy.
Show the Benefits - Offer a free test drive of the Product or Service with a Money Back Guarantee - Take the Risk out. This will help them make the decision but you have to work with them to realize it by explicitly state the benefits they are receiving.
Re: Ideas For Business - Stas and lucy, Could you guys give us a recap of your entire business idea as it stands now. Seems like it morped a bit. Let us know: 1. Start date 2. Ways you will Market 3. What you will offer 4. How much will your charge for your offer
Re: Ideas on Using Twitter for Business - As some of you may or may not know. I've been following EvanCarmichael authors on Twitter for about 2 months now, and I've gain some insights I'd like to share: 1) Go easy on automation and be human! 2) Use @ messages to build relationships and start conversations. 3) Offer your customers value up front for following you. (limited time promotions etc.) 4) Listen, listen, listen! A few people who I think really use their Twitter well: Paul Kedrosky (@pkedrosky), Guy Kawasaki (@GuyKawasaki), Cori Padget (@k0zm0zs0ul) etc.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

How do you keep it together on a daily basis?

Ten Reasons to take Notes during Sales Meetings

12 Principles to Spark Innovation

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.