New Job Negotiations… Are You Looking for a Different Title?

 Our last blog entry explored the idea that you can negotiate for a range of “perks” other than just a higher salary.  Today we thought we would cover the area of Title Negotiations, since this is a common concern when a person wants to accept a position at a new company.

• Purpose – Why would you want to negotiate for a better title?  Your title is very important; it has an impact on how well you can perform the job at hand as well as your future opportunities and prospects.  Titles are used by others (including future hiring managers) to quickly assess a person’s place in the company and the scope of their responsibilities.  Having a mismatch between your title and your position can make it significantly harder for you to accomplish your goals.

• Timing – The best time to start this conversation is after you have been offered the new position.  Show your enthusiasm for the offer, and say something like, “Thank you!  I am very interested in joining your team in this capacity, but I have a few concerns about the title.  I would like to discuss them with you because I feel the current title doesn’t clearly reflect the responsibilities and authority of the position, and I believe a change would be a good idea.”

• Research – Before you start this conversation, make sure that you do your homework!  Consider the existing structure of the company and be careful not to step on anyone’s toes (for example, don’t ask for the same title as someone above you in the org. chart).  Research current job listings and titles at other companies to find examples of the title you are proposing.  Does it match your job description?  If so, this should help your negotiations.

• Strategy – Present the title change as a benefit to your employer, not just to you.  Explain how it will improve your job performance if people see you as “X” instead of “Y.”  Make sure that you give the manager good reasons to make the change (discuss your research), propose the new title, and explain why it fits.  (Some examples are: customer/employee perceptions, level of experience, or academic credentials).  If you can make the case that this title change will benefit the company, it will make it easier for you to get the improved title.

If you do decide to negotiate for a title change, remember to do your research, pick the right time to start the discussion, and come up with a winning strategy.  Making a strong case for the change will go a long way in helping you achieve your goal.

Job Negotiations… What to Ask for (Besides a Higher Salary)

Congratulations!   You just landed that great job, but perhaps the salary isn’t quite what you had hoped for.  If it’s not negotiable for the time being, take a look below for some ideas on other things you may be able to negotiate for… perks that can improve the quality of your life, provide a different form of compensation, and perhaps even make a new job even more exciting and fun.

What can you realistically negotiate for?  The following list will give you some idea of perks that Bay Area start-ups are often willing to discuss with a new employee:

• Time – Time is a critical factor for many people in creating a work/life balance.

Is a flexible work schedule important to you?  Is your start/end time critical, would you like to work 4 (longer) days a week instead of 5?  Do you want to leave early on Fridays? 

Do you already have a vacation planned soon?  Make sure you mention it (and get time off, even unpaid) for that trip you already have on the calendar or one that you are considering.  If vacations are a priority, you can negotiate for more vacation days each year, or ask if you can accrue vacation days quicker the first year.

• Place – Would you like to work from home some days? At work, are you hoping for an office of your own, or maybe a cubicle with a window or one in a quieter area?

• Job Responsibilities – Are you interested in branching out a bit?  Trying some new challenge or working with a new technology?  Or maybe just taking on more responsibility?   This is a good time to ask for this kind of an opportunity (just make sure the hiring manager knows that you are still extremely interested in the actual job they are offering you).

• Job Title – Perhaps you can negotiate to get that title you have been wanting.  Even though it may not increase your salary today, it may help you at your next job.  And if this start-up is acquired, it may make a difference in your future compensation.

• Stock Options – How many will you receive?  Do you want to negotiate for more?  And how soon will they vest?  (There is typically a set schedule for this, but it may be negotiable at certain start-ups).

•  Healthcare Costs – You can turn the current high cost of healthcare to your advantage.  If your spouse is currently covering your family, you can consider opting out of the company’s plan in return for extra compensation.

•  Salary Evaluation – If you can’t get the salary you want right now, you can negotiate for a performance-based evaluation in 6 months, instead of having to wait for a full year.

•  Growth Experiences – Can you get tuition reimbursements? Will they pay for you to go to conferences, seminars, etc?  And if so, how long will you need to work there before you can get these benefits?

Please note that when negotiating for compensation timing is key!  Don’t ask for too much too early… the BEST time to start this conversation is when you first receive a verbal employment offer.  You can take some time to consider any offers made during that conversation, and then continue it a later date. 

Also, prioritize what really matters to YOU, and ask for that.  You don’t want to appear greedy or difficult to please.  Asking for too many extra perks may make someone think twice about hiring you.  (It may help to first ask in which areas the company is most flexible.)

Since your happiness at work will make you a better member of the team and a more productive worker, make sure to mention this during your negotiations.  Taking the time to explain how the company will benefit will absolutely help with your negotiation!

The DO’s and DON’Ts of Follow-Ups

You’ve found a position at a company that you are really excited about, and now that you’ve had the big interview, what’s your next step?  If you want to be the one they choose, you need to let the team know that you are interested, even more so now that you’ve met them.   Landing a great job takes a bit of work and some skill – and your work isn’t finished after that interview.  Make sure to take the next step and follow it up with a nicely-written, professional email.

Here are our DO’s and DON’Ts when it comes to following up:

• DO take the time to thank the person or team who met with you

Not only does sending a thank you note show your good manners – it also provides you with the opportunity to show the team just how enthusiastic you are to work at their company.  Take the time to ask a good follow-up question in order to keep the conversation going.  Your follow-up will keep you fresh in the minds of the hiring team, which is right where you want to be!

• DO make sure to send your follow-up to the right people

Try your best to get the necessary contact information during your interview, but if you can’t then follow up with your recruiter and request the information for the manager or the most senior person who interviewed you.  Direct your email either to the team or to the lead person you met.  Also take the time to thank an HR person who may have helped you set up the interview.  And always contact people at work, not through a personal email address or phone.

• DON’T be a pest

During your interview, ask up front about the hiring timeline so you can set your expectations accordingly.  Send your follow up and wait for a response.  If there is none and you feel it’s appropriate, you can send another email, perhaps gently asking them where they are in the hiring process.  And then move on.  At this point, they know you are interested in the position and they will contact you if they want to meet with you again.

• DO be prompt & precise

It’s best to promptly follow-up by sending your thank you email the day after your interview.  This will give you some time to think of what to ask or how to present yourself carefully, while still making sure you are responding in a timely manner.  Carefully proofread your email for errors before sending it, and try to note precisely what excites you about the company and the position and what you can bring to the team.  If you made some technical mistakes during the interview and have now had the time to think them through, you can also attach a corrected solution to the problem. 

•DON’T be long-winded or generic

Don’t waste people’s time with a long-winded letter; take care to craft a concise follow-up note that cites specific reasons for your interest in this particular company.  The team should feel that your message was written especially for them, and not a generic thank you note you send to other companies as well.

Making the Most of Your Skype Interview

In our last blog entry, we addressed the ins and outs of telephone interviews.  Today we are going to address online interviews, using programs such as Skype.  While most people would rather meet face-to-face during an interview, it’s not always possible in today’s hectic world.  Because of an interviewer’s busy schedule or frequent business travel, a Skype interview may be the only choice.  Don’t feel pushed aside if asked to interview over Skype instead of in person – remember that it’s an opportunity to interview in a format that will give you much more feedback than a telephone interview.  Here are four tips for making the most of your next Skype interview:

1) Be comfortable with the format

An interview is not the time to get acquainted with new software, new hardware, or the process of video conferencing itself.  If you aren’t comfortable and at-ease during your interview, it will show.  Do everything you can to make things go smoothly. 

First, make sure you have the necessary equipment.  As technology is inexpensive these days, not having a properly configured setup or using a poor-quality camera is a really bad excuse for refusing a video call.

If you don’t Skype often and are unfamiliar with the program, practice with your friends and family.  Practice until you are fully confident that you won’t seem awkward and uptight with video conferencing.  Test the program and your hardware so that you feel at ease and relaxed during a real interview.

If you are familiar and comfortable with Skype, you may want to create a new account with a professional username to use just for your interviews.  And practice with this account to make sure everything is working smoothly.

2) Imagine you are on the other side

Since this interview is critical to getting that invitation to meet the team in person, you want to make sure that your enthusiasm, energy, and answers as well as questions come through undistorted. 

Test your hardware when practicing with friends and ask them for feedback.  Can they see you clearly? Can they hear you well?  Is the camera pointed at a funny angle?  Take the time beforehand to ensure you are set up properly before the actual interview.

Choose your location carefully.  Test to see if the lighting is good enough for people to see you clearly.   Find a place to sit where there a solid   or business-like background; this will ensure that the interviewer’s focus is on you and not your room.

3) Look professional

Even though you may be in the comfort of your own home, this is a real interview and you still need to have your “game face” on and look prepared, ready, and excited to join this new company.

Take care to choose a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted during the interview. And make sure that people in your household know that you are interviewing so you don’t have distractions (like people walking past or children making noise in the background). 

Dress and groom yourself – it’s just as important to look professional for a video call as it is for an in-person interview.  There are many funny stories out there of people who only dressed well from the waist up who for some reason had to stand up in the middle of the call!

4) After the interview

When testing your equipment, make sure that you know how to use the mute button, and also how to hang up.  And after the interview, take care to make sure that your system is really turned off!  More than one candidate has made the mistake of thinking that a video or cell phone call was over even though they were still connected.  So keep the discussion about the interview for later, when you are certain you are truly disconnected… just in case!

The Ins-and-Outs of Telephone Interviews

Telephone interviews pose certain challenges for a candidate, but due to today’s busy schedules, long commutes, and the desire for expediency, they are definitely a fixture in the current hiring process.  So how can you prepare for one?  And what steps can you take to come across as a great candidate over the phone?

Take it seriously.

A phone interview is often your chance to make a great first impression.  Even though it’s a just a stepping-stone, it can lead to serious discussions about a job opportunity, so make sure that you take it seriously.  Find a quiet place (with good reception) so that you can hear the questions clearly and the hiring manager can hear your answers.  Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have left plenty of time for the conversation.  If things are going well you don’t want to have to cut the interview short due to a low battery or a scheduling conflict.  And don’t ever interview while driving!  You will be distracted and it will show.

Be Prepared.

Make yourself a “cheat sheet” with bullet points that you can refer to during the interview.  This will help you to stay on track with your talking points and not go off on a tangent.

Think of common questions that are asked and prepare a clear, concise answer for each of them.  Several common questions are:

-What are you looking for in a new job?

-Why are you interested in opportunities with our company?

-Why are you looking for a change?

-What was your favorite project over the past few years?

Take the time to actually rehearse your responses to common questions, as well as any others you think may come up during your phone interview.  This will help you have a more fluid response, especially in the case of a language barrier.

It’s also a good idea to be prepared for some specific and technical questions that may arise, even during the first phone interview for a high-tech position.  For example, you may be asked for your ideas on how you would debug a certain problem (like a slow performing system), design objects to model the functionality of an application, or set a certain testing environment.   Preparing your response to this type of question will help keep you relaxed and on-point during the interview.

Be Clear & Concise.

The most challenging thing about a telephone interview is the lack of visual cues and body language.  Without those, it’s hard to know if the person on the other end is engaged, wanting you to continue with what you are saying, or trying to end this part of the conversation and move on.  Your goal is to have a dialogue with the person on the other end – not a monologue!  So keep your answers short (limit yourself to one minute at most) and listen for a response.  If more detail is needed, a follow-up question should be asked.

Often in today’s high-tech world, there is also a language barrier to overcome.  This is especially difficult over the phone.  Take the time to make sure that you are using the correct terms in your conversation.  We have had one client mistakenly use the word “project” for “product” and it created a good deal of confusion with the hiring manager. 

Play it Safe.

This is probably your first opportunity to get your “foot in the door” and get invited to visit this company for an in-person interview.  Play it safe and don’t come across as negative.  Do your research on the target company and make certain your answers don’t conflict with its culture.   Be careful not to come across the wrong way.

Make sure that you only speak about the positive aspect of things; you don’t want to seem like a negative person.  So if you are asked, “What do you dislike the most about your current position?” you can mention that you like your current company but are exploring this new one because it offers new challenges (and be specific here) that align with your interests.

Some last thoughts:

While a telephone interview isn’t the ideal way for you to express your desire to meet the team, it’s a common feature in today’s hiring world.  Do you best to be prep for it and view it as an opportunity to make that great first impression.  Your energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm can absolutely come through over the phone, so make sure that you start the conversation in the right frame of mind and with a positive attitude!