Stop. Don’t Sign. Do This First.
Thinking about making a career move or being pursued by recruiters?
Maybe you’ve landed an offer as a Global Chief People Officer – congratulations are in order! Or are they?
We don’t mean the role itself – being a Chief People Officer is a great career choice. What we mean is, what is the employer offering you in return for your talent? Will it satisfy you in the long term? Before you sign on the dotted line, take a moment.
Agreeing to a job offer can make a huge impact on your professional and personal wellbeing either positively or negatively. You must ensure that what you’re being offered is right for you, or you’ll end up job hopping, damaging your career, and worst of all, being unhappy.
Here’s the job offer checklist you need to ensure this Chief People Officer job is the right one for you.
5 Steps to a Tremendous Offer Letter & Acceptance
Got your job offer? OK. Thank them and tell them you’ll get back to them within a specific amount of time. Typically requesting anywhere from 24 hours, up to 5 days, is acceptable. Go grab a coffee, review the terms over dinner with your significant other, and go through these five steps with your recruiter (better still, know them before you even apply for a Chief People Officer job):
1. Research Your Worth in the Market
To find out your worth in the market as a Chief People Officer, you need to be aware of what other people officers are getting paid. This information may be available on company websites, but a better way to get a true idea of the salary you should expect, examine a cluster of salary sites, such as:
- PayScale
- PayCheck City
- com
You may find results differ slightly and will be impacted by other factors unique to you, such as diversity, global, public company, size of company, annual revenue, certifications, and location. But all in all, you’ll get an overall picture of pay bracket you should fall within. Here at Lincoln Group, we’re experts in this field – so feel free to contact us for an up-to-date evaluation of your worth.
If you don’t know your worth in the market, you’re at risk of being taken advantage of. This knowledge will put you in a better position to negotiate for more pay, with a confidence that prevents you from looking desperate for their job offer.
2. List Your Salary Expectations and Benefits in Advance
What is important to you in a job offer? Are you money motivated, and see annual salary and bonuses as a deciding factor? If so, a load of perks complimenting a lower salary won’t satisfy your needs in the long term.
However, there may be terms that are more important to you. Flexibility, wellbeing packages, or increased paid time off might give you the job satisfaction and motivation that will drive your career further.
Know in advance what it is you really want and need from a job, to help steer your negotiation to the perfect job offer. Always consult your recruiter on an offer, even if you sourced the opportunity directly.
3. Don’t Negotiate Too Early – Wait for an Offer
Never negotiate too early. Never negotiate before you’ve been offered a job! You’re laying your cards on the table, and coming across as presumptuous and arrogant by assuming you’re in a position to negotiate.
Your skills, talent, and personality have shown the employer what you’re worth. Now sit tight, and wait to see what an employer offers first. This will leave you in a stronger position to evaluate and negotiate.
4. Know What Your Peers Are Paid
A company should pay fairly and equally between you and your same-level colleagues – but never presume. It’s a kick in the career balls to discover months down the line that someone in a similar position is being rewarded higher. Caution on whom you ask and how you ask about compensation. We suggest asking others what they are seeing in the market, versus what they are making.
This is where networking serves you well. With close connections, you could discover what your colleagues are being paid, to ensure you’re employed equally.
5. Negotiate Salary, Benefits, and Other Details at the Same Time
Darting back and forth with a job offer makes for a messy start with your new employer. And don’t forget, the job’s not yet in the bag until the offer’s agreed and signature signed. An employer may retract an offer if you cause timewasting complications before you’ve even got started.
Thus, you must know exactly what you need, want, and expect from your job offer, to execute a clear-cut and professional negotiation and begin on a good note.
Get the Best Job Offer with Expert Negotiating
Accepting a job offer can be a life-changing decision. You must take your time, and be strategic in your negotiations. We can help you. We know the market inside out. We analyze your skills and abilities, and know what you need to enjoy a career with your new employer and be motivated and happy.
Let us help you find your next Chief People Officer job, and negotiate the best salary you can achieve – the salary and compensation packages you deserve.
Contact Lincoln Group now. Let’s get that dotted line signed.