Why Job Offer Salary Negotiation Is a Must

Salary discussions are a decidedly not fun part of the interview process for both interviewers and candidates. However, job offer salary negotiation is necessary before candidates accept job offers so that everyone involved is clear as to what is going on. For job candidates, it leads to cultural compatibility, less resentment and many other benefits.

Less Resentment

If you are a job candidate and think you are worth $50,000 (plus the job description posted that as a possible salary), you may feel resentful upon finding out the job pays $45,000, and you’ve already accepted the offer. It’s likely you would be less productive at work and less collaborative. You would feel hoodwinked and lied to.

Cultural Compatibility

Job candidates who fit in with the company culture are key assets. Someone doing a certain job at a community nonprofit might expect a lower salary that is offset by the intrinsic benefits of hard work and helping others. Someone who works for a big company with an independent and lavish culture may expect a higher salary. The bottom line is that businesses want employees who fit in with their companies, and happiness with salary is one indicator of compatibility.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

This reason for job offer salary negotiation is practical but undeniable. Once an offer is extended and accepted, it becomes much more difficult to negotiate salary. For one thing, it makes candidates appear unprofessional.

Recognition of Value

To a large extent, salary figures reflect what a business thinks of an employee: his or her skills, expertise and potential contributions, for example. Job candidates want to be sure that they are fairly recognized and compensated; negotiating salary before accepting a job offer helps them decide if this company is where they want to work and where they will legitimately feel valued.

Being on the Same Page

Employers and their employees must be on the same page, and job offer salary negotiation gets them there if they are not already. Each side notices the other’s tactics, willingness to listen, to compromise and so on. If or when an end result is reached, both sides understand each other better.