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The four elements of a job offer are compensation, location, position and decision date. 

Interview series guidance says asking for more salary is a no-no.  However, is it appropriate to negotiate +1 week of paid time off (PTO) for a 2% reduction in salary? Most US companies limit PTO to 2 weeks for the first couple of years of service, and mathematically it's an equivalent amount (52 weeks - 2 PTO = 50 weeks/100% salary =~ 1 week/2% salary).
 
Also, is it appropriate to negotiate to work from home two days a week?  I live in Atlanta which has the 7th worst commuting traffic in the US, and driving across town every day can be soul crushing.  I work in the IT industry, so the service I provide can be easily fulfilled remotely.
 
Lastly, is it appropriate to negotiate pre-approved PTO for existing travel plan during the offer process?  For example, I've already paid non-recoverable fees for an upcoming cruise before I actively started job searching.  The trip is also during my kid's school spring break, so rescheduling isn't a realistic option.

TNoxtort's picture

 I think everything is negotiable, not just what you listed, but I'm not sure I'd negotiate everything you mentioned.

AFTER YOU GET AN OFFER, let them know you already had some vacation plans and if there would be any problems with continuing those plans on (dates).

I think trying to get more vacation time may be harder. Is there a reason you want more? I also would never volunteer 2% salary off. I know at a job a long time ago, I said I had more in my previous job and wanted it with them, which they gave, without any salary concession.

A lot depends on how badly they want you when they make the offer. But as Mark said in the How Do I Know I Have An Offer podcast, the offer is an offer when the ball is in your court. So wait until then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

pucciot's picture
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 In the environment I've been working in, 20 years,  the only things I've seen negotiable are :

  • Start date
  • Possible allowable unpaid leave if the candidate needs to take a time off during the 3 -month orientation period.
  • Possible moving expenses - only for higher levels of candidates.
  • Salary -- maybe, but unlikely - - depending on the level of the position I've never seen more than a 2% difference in salary negotiation.  Usually, we tell the candidate the salary - and that's that.  

-- Although, I've never been involved with hiring anyone above the Director level - I suppose Executive director candidates and above can negotiate a little more.

Non-Profit Academic Institutions are basically - "take it, or leave it " kinds of places unless you are an Executive Department Director, Dean or higher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

tmliz's picture

 First...wondering how the original poster fared in "negotiations?" (Joey-quotes!)

Second....what if you really do have something to offer back to the company? For example, I do not need company-paid benefits. Husband is in the military and his benefits are awesome. Can I decline their benefits, but ask for more vacation time or higher salary?

 

 

mjpeterson's picture

You can definitely discuss your vacation.  Since you have already paid for it and the date is set in stone most companies will let you take your vacation.  They may require that it be unpaid leave, or maybe they will let you have a negative balance on your vacation accrual. 

If you currently have a certain level of vacation, I think it is entirely reasonable to ask for them to match what you are currently getting or someone with your level of experience would get at the company. If I hire someone with 20 years of experience, then I would expect to offer them vacation similar to what a 20 year person at my firm would get. If you only 3 -5 years of experience, and they don’t typically give more than 2 weeks of vacation for folks with less than 5 years of experience, it will be tougher. 
 
I would not offer to give back any of the salary. For a company the yearly cost is the same whether you are working for those extra days or on vacation, unless you do shift work or they would need to hire a temp to replace you during that period.