How to Negotiate Benefits

Negotiating for a higher salary, more vacation or other benefits is tougher at a time of high unemployment, but it can be done if you have the experience, education and confidence in your value to your employer or your prospective employer.

Instructions

Better Benefits

1. Set an appointment for an interview. If the interview is for a new job, find out in advance what benefits the company generally offers and how willing its managers are to negotiate. Talk to employees who work there, if possible, to get this information.

2. Know in advance which benefits you want. Decide the minimum salary and benefits you're willing to work for. If you're unwilling to settle for less than one week of paid vacation in your first year, you need to make that clear.

3. Don't ask for something you know you won't get. If you've read in the employee manual that the company doesn't offer paid personal days off, don't try to negotiate for them.

4. Know your worth. Search Web sites such as salary.com to see what your industry typically pays. If starting salary is normally $40,000, you can expect to receive that.

5. Ask open-ended questions. According to bankrate.com, a prospective employee should ask questions that require more than a yes or no answer. Asking how you can earn a higher salary or extra week of vacation is better than asking if you can have more money or time off; you're more likely to get a negative answer with a yes or no question than one that makes the interviewer weigh his or her response.