We all know how difficult it can be to get a job offer.
All those long hours preparing your resumé, researching your target company and position, rehearsing for possible interview questions, putting together the proof of your qualifications and achievements, all of it just to prove to the interviewer that you are a valuable potential asset to their organization. The struggle is real.
But what happens when that job offer does come? That is where a lot of professionals will vary in their approach. The answer to the job offer is, obviously, yes. But there will be people for whom it’s not that straightforward, especially if they see that the job offer is different from what they expect.
It’s not even a question of whether someone is a fresh graduate or has several years of previous work experience. Many first-time career-seekers already know whether a job offer is worth it, and many veterans in their field still don’t know if their next opportunity is a bad deal.
So what separates those who know and those who don’t? That’s what we’ll try to explore here in our latest editorial series. The most important foundation for negotiating a job offer is, rightfully, what we will discuss first.
KNOW YOUR VALUE.
The usual scenario is an applicant being offered a job, complete with the necessary documents. They are advised to go over the contract and the offer letter, and sign after just a few minutes review of everything.
The eagerness to take the offer is there, yes. There is also a certain minimum level of awareness where the new hire thinks, “Alright, this seems to be a fair offer. I’ll take it.” But just how “fair” is any offer that any new hire gets? What is the basis for saying that?
A vital step in identifying the worth of a job offer is being thoroughly aware of your own worth. A career-seeker, whether a fresh graduate or an experienced professional, must have a clear idea of how much they are worth as a potential asset.
This can be determined knowing your skills, qualifications and other selling points. Are your skills aligned with what the open position requires you to do? Are you at the top of your field of specialization? Do you have the fundamental and practical knowledge of the latest methods and breakthroughs in your field? Do you possess qualifications that are hard to find in others?
All of those are powerful questions that will help any career-seeker identify and establish a list of what they can add to a potential employer’s business. Once this picture is clear, the career-seeker will be more prepared to evaluate job offers with a solid point of comparison.
This is just the first step, though it is the most necessary. Follow this series over the next few weeks and find out how to level up your job offer negotiating skills!