Want to change jobs? Before accepting a new job, fine-tune your negotiation strategy. Now is the right time to dare to negotiate: for a rare time in history, workers have the big end of the stick because of the widespread shortage of staff. Here are some ways to get the maximum benefits from a negotiation.
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Do your research
What are your education and experience worth in the labour market? How much do your colleagues working for other organizations earn? What are the statistics for compensation in your profession and your sector? You can find this information on Statistics Canada and Emploi-Québec websites, for example. With all this information and some concrete examples in hand, you will be able to enhance the discussion and base your requests on solid arguments.
- Get to know the opposing party
Why does this employer need you? What are the company’s values? You can answer these questions by analyzing the job description. You should also read comments from former team members on social media, or better yet, speak with people who work for the organization. The more you know, the better you can position yourself to demonstrate that you are worth what you are asking.
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Use your imagination
It’s not just the salary and benefits that matter. Having fun at work and improving your quality of life is just as essential. Among the aspects that can be negotiated: work schedule, the possibility of teleworking, the electronic devices that will be provided to you, professional development allowances, the reimbursement (in part or in full) of your cell phone bill as well as additional paid leave, among others. Certain demands that would not have been imagined ten years ago are now commonplace. This is the case with teleworking, which has become very popular since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, recent surveys show that more than half of employees want to work at least three days a week at home.
- Ask for help from a specialist
Timid? Not used to negotiating? Call on a career coach, who can advise you on best practices to adopt. Well aware of trends and new developments in the job market, this person will help you determine your value, have more confidence in yourself and dare to get out of your comfort zone.
- Determine a Plan B before negotiating
We always negotiate better when we have a way out. At least that’s what Victoria H. Medvec, author of the book Negotiate Without Fear, believes. Plan B, or BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement), is your secret weapon. So make sure you know what you will do if the negotiations fail. Do you have another offer on the table? Can you keep your current job? The more solid and credible this Plan B is, the greater your negotiating power. Now it’s your turn!