How To Know When to Negotiate at a Job Interview

The All-Important Job Interview - Aside from the stress job interviews incur, the job applicant needs to operate on all cylinders when the issue of negotiations arise. Being tactfully aware of timing when discussing salary, benefits and vacations during the interview can be complex. The interviewer usually begins with a quick review of the job applicant's qualifications. If there are any questions, the interviewer will ask the applicant to clarify them.  Be attentive to the flow of the interview process. Because a job interview determines whether or not an applicant is hired, it's of utmost importance to view the interview process in three parts:

1. The opening - This is where the job applicant's resume is quickly reviewed and discussed.
2. The duties of the potential position in the new company are discussed at midpoint of the interview.
3. Wages and compensation are the third leg of a job interview

Negotiate for the Best Results - The reason wages and compensation are discussed in the third part of the interview is to allows the job applicant an opportunity to qualify their salary and benefit requirements. This is especially true if a cover letter indicates the salary is above the company's stated range. One hint to know if there is genuine consideration for hire is if the interviewer initiates discussion of salary.  By the third part of the interview, the interviewer has a good idea as to the job applicant's viability for hire.  In consideration of any particular economic constraints of the hiring company, if the salary the job applicant requires is only minimally above the salary offered, this is the time to negotiate for best results.  If the vacation allowance and other benefits are more than adequate, it may be advisable to accept the company's salary offer.  But, this also proceeds to further negotiations on the wage and compensation policies in terms of salary increases and performance evaluations.

Negotiation Timing - When an interviewer discusses wages and benefits, look for an advantageous moment or pause when discussion can take place.  The timing of negotiations is crucial to the best outcome for the company and job applicant.  Starting a new job with an inadequate salary or benefits as a result of poor negotiations leaves open a sense of dissatisfaction - not a good beginning for any job applicant.  Remind yourself before the interview that compensation for your job performance is justified and it's a subject of the interview that is necessary to clarify.  Once these issues are negotiated and a job offer is made, it may be a good time to request written terms of hire for future reference. This helps to avoid any "bait and switch" situations when only verbal agreements are in place. Terms of hire can be used for reference for future job interviews.