I’m Sure You Know This: Negotiate Your Exit and Your Salary At The Same Time !!

You’re so excited by the interview. They asked you all the right questions and you had all of the right answers right? Then comes the offer.  Now what?

Did they ask you for your salary “history”, “requirements” or just ask “so, what are you making?”  

If this is your first job after college or graduate school, chances are, YOU HAVE ZERO ROOM to negotiate BUT…

One of the most common questions I get asked is about salary negotiations and whether you should “be honest” about your current salary, “how to get the most salary and benefits possible” and increase your total compensation.

I’m going to give you the good news and the bad news all at once.  If you have not thoroughly researched the employer and the compensation ranges for your level, you’re not going to find anything magical here.  You’ve got to give me something to work with.

Here are some basic’s that I would want to know:

1. After you’ve looked at glassdoor and scoured google for what ever you can about salary, if it is a publicly traded company, YOU MUST
2. read the public filings on edgar.gov.  Search for the company and employment agreements.
   
3. It is all public info. If you take the time, and know how to do the search. You will find gold. Feel free to hire me to do this for you. The below is just an example and will definitely NOT apply to you.

3. The more you search for like roles in other companies and the more you know, the more capable you are to ask the right questions.

Equally important, what I can tell you is this:

REGARDLESS OF THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYEE, YOU MUST BRING UP AND NEGOTIATE YOUR SEVERANCE NOW.  You will never have the chance to negotiate your exit again (with any leverage).

This is an example of what severance looks like for a very financially fortunate person:

(https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1288776/000128877614000075/exhibit1003_09302014.htm)

The above letter is not YOUR severance or your deal BUT the questions I would want to know:

1. Are you at the level in the Company (e.g. your future employer) where there is severance? And if so, what is the policy.
2. If no, you could tell them what you want and see their reaction ONLY if you have done the research in advance to know exactly what your predecessor got.  Is this Company the type that has arbitrated with former employees? Wouldn’t you like to know that before you start down this road?

Most importantly: their answers to your questions will give you a good idea about what type of organization you are considering joining.

Give me a call – I can help you work out a salary and severance negotiation that fits your situation. 310-570-2399