Like
the offer but want more money or better benefits? This tactic is surprisingly
effective.
Once that offer letter
hits your inbox, you know what you're supposed to do next. Always negotiate.
That's easier said than done, especially if you desperately want the job and
it's already a pretty good offer. Is asking for more money or a better
compensation package pushing it?
Fortunately, there are
people who specialize in coaching candidates through this mission-critical
moment. One of them, Karen Catlin,
is a 25-year tech veteran who now advocates for women in tech. She's a speaker
and coach who helps clients get better salaries, signing bonuses and
higher-level roles.
Catlin recently shared
one of her favorite negotiation tips in a blog post. It all comes down to one, succinct sentence.
Not only will it get you more money, Catlin says, but recruiters love to hear
it. (She actually got the tip from interviewing recruiters.)
The 12 magic words?
"If you can get me X, I'll accept the offer right away."
Catlin recently
encouraged a young woman to use this tactic who was deciding between three job
offers. The one she was most excited about was also the highest offer. But
Catlin thought she could get more. The candidate used that exact phrasing and
asked for 5 percent more. Two days later, her counter offer was accepted. She
accepted on the spot.
Why hiring managers love to hear these words
Recruiters and hiring
managers expect candidates to counter. But there's a right and a wrong way to
do it. There are a few reasons why this particular phrase is so effective in
getting you more money.
It shows you really
want the job
Hiring managers look
for more than competency and cultural fit. They want to hire people who are
enthusiastic about the role and company. It's one reason why ending your
interview with a candid statement could sway the hiring manager
in your favor.
When it comes time to
negotiate, using this phrase shows the hiring manager how excited you are about
this job. They know you're likely considering other offers. But now you're
telling them you're willing to forget the others because this is The One.
It eliminates the
back-and-forth
Catlin says there's
often some wiggle room in the salary or the compensation package. If the hiring
manager knows you're ready to sign on the dotted line, that gives her some
leverage. She's more likely to be able to meet your request if she already
knows you will say yes.
"Assuming it's a
reasonable request, the recruiter has something tangible to bring back to the
hiring committee," Catlin writes. "It's easier to make a case to dip
into the reserves if the recruiter knows you'll say yes."
It displays confidence
No one wants to hire a
wishy washy candidate. They want people who take action. That's exactly what
this negotiation tactic does. You're not just asking for more money, crossing
your fingers that they'll say yes. You're laying out a clear course of action.
One that involves a better offer to move forward.
"Recruiters also
love this approach because it demonstrates a decisive leadership style,"
Catlin says. "Chances are, they want to hire people like that."
While the candidate
from Catlin's success story asked for a higher salary, remember you can make
other requests at this point. Some other example:
·
If you can get me one
work-from-home day a week, I'll accept the offer right away.
·
If you can get me one
more week of PTO, I'll accept the offer right away.
·
If you can get me a
corner office, daily visits from a massage therapist and a personal chef, I'll
accept the offer right away.
OK obviously kidding
on the last one, but you get the point. There are a lot of things you can ask
for beyond a higher salary. As long as the ask is reasonable, you have a pretty
good chance at landing an awesome job that comes with an even awesomer offer.
Comments
Post a Comment