Five Tips for Productive Contract Negotiation

Five Tips for Productive Contract Negotiation

Receiving an employment contract is exciting, but it is important to remember the contract may not entirely protect your rights. Before signing the contract, it is first important to read through it thoroughly and ensure it is fair. If it is not, you may have some negotiating to do. Many people are intimidated by the thought of negotiating with their employer, but there are some strategies you can follow to make it easier. The top five tips are outlined below.

Define Your Goals

You may know what your main priority is, but you should know all of your goals before you enter negotiations. For example, you may know that you want a higher salary, but you should also consider other options. You may want to work from home one day a week, or receive other benefits that could make the position more desirable. Whatever your goals are, it is important to clearly define them beforehand so you can stay on track during negotiations.

Justify Your Demands

During negotiations, you will have to convince the other party why your demands are justifiable. Maybe you have been putting in more hours lately, and your schedule is expected to remain the same for some time. Or, maybe your performance in the last quarter shows that working from home is more productive for you. Regardless of what you are asking for, you must be prepared to show why you deserve it.

Know What Cannot be Done

You may know what you deserve, and the other side may even agree with you. Unfortunately, they may not always be able to do something about it. For example, if you are asking for higher wages but the company has a salary cap that does not allow it, that is out of the hands of the person you are negotiating with. Try and determine if there are areas in which the other side can be flexible, and focus on those instead.

Use Leverage Wisely

If other companies are interested in hiring you, it is important to mention that during negotiations, but do not push it too far. Constantly bringing up the fact that you have other offers can come across as arrogant and make the other party feel as though you are just playing them against other companies. Neither will help you get further during negotiations.

Prepare for Hard Questions

Questions do not stop once the interview is over, and you will face many tough questions during negotiations. You should prepare for these questions and know how to answer them without losing your leverage power. For example, if sales had dropped in the last quarter, you may have to explain why that is. Honestly tell the other party about the problem, and how you have fixed it so it does not happen again.

Our Employment Lawyers in Columbus Can Negotiate on Your Behalf

Not everyone is comfortable with negotiating, but it is important when you are trying to protect your best interests. At Marshall Forman & Schlein LLC our Columbus employment lawyers can negotiate on your behalf and secure the best employment terms possible. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.