TTU Career Center: Dollars & Sense

Always begin by expressing genuine interest in the position and the organization, emphasizing the areas of agreement but allowing "wiggle room" to compromise on other areas. Be prepared to support your points of disagreement, outlining the parts you would like to alter, your suggestions on how this can be done and why it would serve the company's best interests to accommodate your request.

Be prepared to defend your proposal. Back up your reasons for wanting to change the offer with meaningful, work-related skills and positive benefits to the employer. Requesting a salary increase because you are a fast learner or have a high GPA are usually not justifiable reasons in the eyes of the employer. Meaningful work experience or internships that have demonstrated or tested your professional skills are things that will make an employer stop and take notice.

It is sometimes more comfortable for job-seekers to make this initial request in writing and plan to meet later to hash out the differences. You will need to be fairly direct and assertive at this point even though you may feel extremely vulnerable. Keep in mind that the employer has chosen you from a pool of qualified applicants, so you are not as powerless as you think.

Sometimes the employer will bristle at the suggestions that there is room to negotiate. Stand firm, but encourage the employer to think about it for a day or two at which time you will discuss the details of your proposal with him/her. Do not rush the process because you are uncomfortable. The employer may be counting on this discomfort and use it to derail the negotiations. Remember, this is a series of volleys and lobs, tradeoffs and compromises that occur over a period of time. It is a process- not a singular event!

Once you have reached a conclusion with which you are both relatively comfortable, present in writing your interpretation of the agreement so that if there is any question, it will be addressed immediately. Negotiation, by definition, implies that each side will give. Do not perceive it as an ultimatum.

If the employer chooses not to grant any of your requests - and realistically, he or she can do that - you will still have the option of accepting the original offer provided you have maintained a positive, productive, and friendly atmosphere during your exchanges. You can always reenter negotiations after you have demonstrated your worth to the organization.

Questions? Suggestions? Technical difficulties with this Site?
Contact the Web Administrator, TTUCareerCenter@ttu.edu



			Home \| Register \| Career Exploration \| Information & Events \| Job Search Resources

	Always begin by expressing genuine interest in the position and the organization, emphasizing the areas of agreement but allowing "wiggle room" to compromise on other areas. Be prepared to support your points of disagreement, outlining the parts you would like to alter, your suggestions on how this can be done and why it would serve the company's best interests to accommodate your request. Be prepared to defend your proposal. Back up your reasons for wanting to change the offer with meaningful, work-related skills and positive benefits to the employer. Requesting a salary increase because you are a fast learner or have a high GPA are usually not justifiable reasons in the eyes of the employer. Meaningful work experience or internships that have demonstrated or tested your professional skills are things that will make an employer stop and take notice. It is sometimes more comfortable for job-seekers to make this initial request in writing and plan to meet later to hash out the differences. You will need to be fairly direct and assertive at this point even though you may feel extremely vulnerable. Keep in mind that the employer has chosen you from a pool of qualified applicants, so you are not as powerless as you think. Sometimes the employer will bristle at the suggestions that there is room to negotiate. Stand firm, but encourage the employer to think about it for a day or two at which time you will discuss the details of your proposal with him/her. Do not rush the process because you are uncomfortable. The employer may be counting on this discomfort and use it to derail the negotiations. Remember, this is a series of volleys and lobs, tradeoffs and compromises that occur over a period of time. It is a process- not a singular event! Once you have reached a conclusion with which you are both relatively comfortable, present in writing your interpretation of the agreement so that if there is any question, it will be addressed immediately. Negotiation, by definition, implies that each side will give. Do not perceive it as an ultimatum. If the employer chooses not to grant any of your requests - and realistically, he or she can do that - you will still have the option of accepting the original offer provided you have maintained a positive, productive, and friendly atmosphere during your exchanges. You can always reenter negotiations after you have demonstrated your worth to the organization. OTHER LINKS: Research Psychological Preparation Money I$n't Everything Salary Negotiation ____________________ Questions? Suggestions? Technical difficulties with this Site? Contact the Web Administrator, TTUCareerCenter@ttu.edu

	Home \| Career Center Calendar \| Contact Us \| TTU Home Page Texas Tech University Career Center, P.O. Box 45006 - Wiggins Complex, Lubbock, TX 79409-5006 Phone: 806.742.2210, Fax: 806.742.2474, Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.