How to Negotiate Benefits Other Than Salary; How to Interview Like a Pro

Because of the economy right now, you may not be able to negotiate the salary you believe you deserve. Go to your salary negotiations with a list of things other than money that you can request and use as bargaining chips.

Here is a list to get you started:

1. Moving Expenses.

Ask if the company will pay your moving expenses or, in the alternative, reimburse you up to a certain amount. Some companies prefer to pay a one-time expense rather than include the money in salary. Get an estimate before your discussion so you have an idea on what the actual expense will be.

2. A Different Title.

If the company is vehement about the amount of the salary it can offer you, see if there is something about the job description that can be improved. For example, do you hate the title? I once had a title, Assistant to the City Manager, which meant I was in charge of three departments. However, to the outside world, it could look as though I was a clerical assistant to the City Manager. I didn't think of it at the time, but I wish I had suggested that my title be changed to Director of Human Resources, Labor Relations and Risk Management. Get a copy of the organizational chart so you can see the names of the various positions in advance. Again, if it does not mean spending more money to hire you, the company may be willing to give you a better title.

3. Travel Expenses or Professional Dues

Is there some expense that you pay yourself that you would like your future employer to pay? If you belong to a professional organization that is related to your job. ask your prospective employer to pay your dues or the expenses for its annual conference. If the company does agree, ask it to put that provision in its offer letter.

4. Vacation

There are generally two schools of thought about vacation. There are those who want as much vacation as possible and there are those who take as little as possible and will buy it back if there is such a program. If you are in the first group and like more vacation time, tell the employer you will accept the salary if you can get an extra week of vacation. If the company is willing, that is equivalent to 5% of your salary.

5. Health Insurance Buy-Back Plan

If you have health insurance elsewhere with your spouse or have an outside plan such as Medicare, you can see if the company has a health insurance buy-back plan. Some companies, in an effort to encourage employees get their health insurance elsewhere, are willing to share some of the savings directly with the employees. If the company has that plan, that is the same as a salary increase. If the company does not have a buy-back plan, you may want to still ask for a salary increase by agreeing not to be on its insurance plan, thereby saving them money.

6. Not All Companies are Flexible

Here is a word of caution. When you are looking for alternatives to a salary increase, remember that not all companies are flexible and want to negotiate these changes or benefits with you. Generally the public sector is less flexible on titles, salary ranges and vacation plans than the private sector. However, the public sector sometimes has better benefits than the private sector so know what they are before making your final decision.

This list is just a start of what can be negotiated. Be creative and add to the list. After trying some of these suggestions, you can be interviewing like a pro.

Mary Greenwood, Mediator, Attorney and Author of How To Negotiate LIke A Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes, Winner of six book awards Best How To Book, DIY Festival Runner Up, New York Book Festival, E-Book and Self-Help Category Finalist ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards Finalist, Best National Book Awards, Self-Help Category Honorable Mention, London Book Festival How To Mediate Like A Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes Winner of five book awards Best National Book AWard, Law Category Best E-Book, New York Book Festival Best How To Book, Beach Book Festival Best E-Book, Indie Excellence Awards Spirit AWard, South Florida Writers Association Email: howtonegotiate@aol.com www.marygreenwood.com