You Got the Offer. Now What?
Tips for Managing and Negotiating Job Offers.
Keith Munson, Career Specialist
Strommen Career & Internship Center
Augsburg College
Lower Level Anderson Hall
Topics for Today
What to expect when you receive an
offer.
 Typical aspects of job offers.
 Preparing for negotiations.
 Negotiation strategies.
 Others?

Let’s take a quiz…..

At what point should you discuss salary
(ideally)?
A.
B.
C.
D.
When you apply.
During the interview process.
After you have been extended a job offer.
Your first day of employment.
Quiz Answers
At what point should you discuss salary
(ideally)?
Answer: After you have been extended an
offer.
 You then know the company is interested
and you have more leverage.
 You avoid being excluded b/c of salary
requirements.

Let’s Take a Quiz…..

True of False: You should always be the
first person to state a salary figure.
Answer: False. It is in your best
interest to let the employer state
the first number. If you are the
first to state a figure, there is a
better chance of “leaving money
on the table” with a low figure or
taking yourself out of the pool
with too high of a figure. Let the
employer “go first”.
Let’s Take a Quiz…..

True of False: You MUST always
negotiate.
Answer: False.
•Some companies may expect you
to negotiate but it is always your
decision.
•The decision to negotiate should
be based on the terms, not a
general rule.
• Not all companies negotiate.
Let’s Take a Quiz…..
What items are included in most job
offers?
A. Base salary
B. Signing Bonus
C. Start Date
D. Health benefits
E. Vacation
F. All except B.

Quiz Answers
What items are included in most job
offers?
Answer: F. All except signing bonus
 Bonuses and other “perks” are becoming
less common.
 Most offers include: salary, vacation, start
date, health benefits
 Extras may include company car, cell
phone, tuition benefits, and moving
expenses.

Let’s Take a Quiz…..
What aspects of an offer are typically
negotiable?
A. Salary
B. Bonus
C. Start Date
D. Health benefits
E. Vacation
F. Review date

Quiz Answers
What aspects of an offer are typically
negotiable?
Answer: Everything except health
benefits. Health benefits are almost
always the same for every employee and
not open to negotiation. Salary, bonus,
start date, and vacation can be negotiated
based on experience and skills, but health
benefits typically can not.

Let’s Take a Quiz…..
What information do you need BEFORE
beginning negotiations?
A. Market salary range
B. A personal budget
C. Offers extended to other candidates
D. A sales pitch of your skills
E. All of the above, except C.

Quiz Answers
What information do you need BEFORE
beginning negotiations?
Answer: All of the Above, except C.
 You need to know typical salary range.
 You need to know what you need in order to pay
typical bills
 You must be prepared to convince an employer
of your worth with a strong sales pitch.
 The offers to the other candidates is NOT
information you should expect to receive-your
offer is based on YOU, not other candidates.

Resources for Salary/budget
information.

Salary
◦ Strommen Career & Internship Center
website.
◦ Glassdoor.com
◦ Payscale.com
◦ Salary.com

Budget
◦ Sample budget form
◦ Sample job offer comparison
Important Negotiation Strategies

Let the employer state the first salary
figure.
◦ Don’t put yourself out of the market by
stating a number that is too high
◦ Don’t “leave money on the table”
◦ Always state a range rather than a concrete
number
◦ Do your research on the market for that type
of position/employer.
Important Negotiation Strategies

Wait for an offer before discussing salary
(if possible).
◦ You want the employer interested before you
talk money.
◦ Discussing salary before you have an offer
may hurt your chances.
◦ “I’m very interested in this position and
would like to talk more about the fit before
we discuss salary. If there is a good fit, I’m
sure we can work out a fair salary”.
Important Negotiation Strategies

Handling an offer when you still have
interviews/other opportunities
◦ You may be able to “speed up” an employers
decision but informing them of an offer from
another company….BE CAREFUL.
◦ Don’t bluff about other offers. Maintain ethics
and honestly in negotiations.
◦ Using other offers as a reason to increase an
offer is a dangerous game! BE VERY
CAUTIOUS!
Important Negotiation Strategies

Take time to consider an offer.
◦ Don’t accept an offer “on the spot”.
◦ “Sleep on it”-allow yourself at least one night
to consider the offer.
◦ Thank the employer for the offer.
◦ Ask if the employer has a time limit for your
consideration.
Important Negotiation Strategies

Prioritize your areas to negotiate:
◦ Start with salary~typically most impact on
your earning long term.
◦ Bundle the areas you’d like to discuss.
 Don’t “surprise” the employer with additional
requests after each change to the offer.
 “The offer looks very good overall. There are two
areas I’d like to discuss, moving expenses and start
date. Are these things we can discuss?”.
◦ Decide what is most important to you and
negotiate that aspect first.
Job Offer Ethics

Remain professional in follow up and
language
◦ Avoid negative phrases
◦ Focus on win-win strategies
◦ Remember you will be working with the
people you are negotiating with
◦ Maintain honesty
◦ Appreciate the job offer and thank the
employer….even if you don’t take it.
Final Thoughts and Questions