6 Things to Negotiate for That Aren’t Salary

A lot of us become focused on a number that we want for the salary but there is more to a negotiation than that check every 2 weeks. Here are 6 things to negotiate for to boost that job offer. 

Office and Work Equipment

You can ask for a specific office location or equipment to help improve your work performance and fit your needs. This includes asking for an office near a window or a specific ergonomic chair, an updated laptop, mouse or monitor. This can be anything, within reason, you feel will improve your work performance and or fit your needs.

My friend once worked in an office for 2 years with no windows and it got to the point where he developed a Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD). Nothing became more valuable to him than getting a better office with a window.

A Custom Work Schedule

If you have family commitments, a long commute, or are more productive in the evenings you can negotiate an unconventional work day. For example, you can ask to work 2 days a week at home or ask to come into the office later in the day.

Wait to have these conversations during the offer time to test the waters of what could be possible and set those expectations up front. If you struggle to find the right words to say, here’s 20+ email templates that will guide you through exactly what to say and when to say it in the job search.

Transportation or Relocation Reimbursement

If you realize the job you are considering is going to be a harrowing journey everyday to get to the location – I am talking about train rides, parking expenses, even moving to a new city – you can ask for a transportation stipend or relocation reimbursement for these travel costs.

Calculate the costs of transportation or relocation before requesting a stipend so that it is based on real numbers.

Sponsor Your Development

There are many different ways you can grow in your career, whether it is through certifications, licenses, conferences etc. You can request an annual stipend to use for these advancement opportunities. I see this as a win-win for you and the company, because by investing in your knowledge you become a better employee while also increasing your marketability as a professional.

Make sure to research the exact certifications, licenses, conferences, or classes before the negotiation phase so you can get it written into the contract if the company chooses to sponsor or reimburse these educational opportunities for you (such as, many companies have sponsored their employees for this training on how to master LinkedIn content marketing). 

Severance

When starting a new job, if you feel like you would be entering a risky situation, where you may possibly be layed off or the company may be acquired, negotiate a severance package. The severance will kick in if you are termed for a reason that isn’t “cause.”(AKA you weren’t fired for something you did). It’s challenging to explain in an interview why you were let go from a company, so make sure you have refined your answer to “Why did you leave your last job” no matter if it was a layoff, termination, or otherwise. 

Shorter Vesting Period

Most companies offer a profit sharing or equity program where they grant you shares or equity in a vesting schedule. The most common vesting schedule I’ve seen is a 1 year cliff and a 4 year vesting. Which means that the shares or equity they offer you will partially be available to you after 1 year and be completely available to you after 4 years.

While you can negotiate for more equity or profit sharing, another way you can approach this is to negotiate a shorter vesting period. Such as having the cliff be 6 months instead of 1 year or have the vesting period be 2 or 3 years instead of 4.

Negotiation is Hard!

If you are currently in the negotiation phase don’t forget your value but stay respectful in your ask. We always want to continue building a relationship with the folks at the company while still getting the best possible offer. For deeper negotiation tips, come to the free live 5 day Masterclass “Upgrade Your Career” (hop on the waitlist if it’s closed). We have an entire day dedicated to negotiation!

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Madeline Mann is an HR & Recruiting leader who is known for her award-winning job search YouTube Channel, Self Made Millennial, and her acclaimed coaching program, Standout Job Search. Mann’s career coaching programs have led to thousands of success stories, and her work has been featured in Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and more.