The job interview went well and the company wants to hire you. Congratulations.

You submitted a strategically crafted resume that illustrated how you possess the necessary skills to do the job well and fit seamlessly into the company's corporate structure.  During the job interview, your preparation and confidence enabled you to make a winning sales presentation. You showcased your knowledge of the job requirements and the company's needs while highlighting your accomplishments that make you the most qualified candidate for the position.
 
Now the hiring manger wants to know when you can start.
 
Before you accept the job offer, one more critical negotiation must be addressed.
 
No matter how excited or eager you are to accept, there is still the issue of your total compensation package. Your total compensation package refers to your base salary, bonus, benefits, and paid time off. Be advised that this part of the process is a negotiation and therefore it’s important to do your homework.
 
Research what types of salaries and benefits are considered industry standard for the position you have been offered. There are a number of websites you can visit to figure out what salary you should be paid based upon your skills and experience. Salary.com and Payscale.com are two websites that may help you calculate a salary that is commensurate with your abilities and potential value to the company.
 
You need to know your current worth specific to the market, geographic location and experience level you fall in.
 
These days, many companies offer employees a myriad of benefits beyond monetary compensation to improve job satisfaction and work-life balance. Desirable benefits and an employee-friendly work culture can actually end up saving companies money in the long-run by increasing employee retention rates and loyalty in a competitive marketplace. Unlike previous generations, most of today's workers will not stay at one company throughout their entire career. Jobs are no longer "cradle to grave." 
 
Here are just some of the areas you would be well served to inquire about company policies regarding salary, benefits and total compensation before accepting a new job:
 
• training programs or mentoring
• educational reimbursement
• career advancement opportunities
• hours/work schedule
• vacation time/holiday schedule/sick time or PTO (Paid Time Off)
• office location/telecommuting options
• cell phones, PDA, Laptops
• administrative support
• 401k eligibility
• pension plan
• bonus structure
• stock options
• profit sharing
• health insurance coverage
• dental insurance coverage
• disability
• competitive work clauses
• business travel
• childcare
• club memberships
• employee discounts
• parking
• car/allowance
• termination clauses
 
You might want to prioritize this list. While most companies will not be able to offer you everything you want, you want to feel comfortable with what they can offer you.
 
How to negotiate:
 
At the start of the job search process you had very little leverage. Now, as you approach the salary, benefits and total compensation negotiation phase, you are in a much better position to negotiate the terms of your employment. Remember, they want to hire you.   
 
It is now well within your right as a future employee of their company to make sure that you negotiate a total compensation package that you are comfortable with. By knowing what you are worth (after doing your research) you can inquire about certain benefits & compensation packages that are in your priority order. Often times a hiring manager will be given some degree of flexibility with the types of incentives they can offer potential new hires as compensation. Prior to your salary negotiation, try to find out as much as possible about the company’s existing compensation policies. For example, you may want to find out whether they have flexible salary ranges assigned to positions and levels of experience, and whether there are sign on bonuses or stock option plans.
 
By knowing the industry standard, you should feel confident and comfortable in asking for what you feel is a fair package. Remember that if you don't ask, you'll never know. There's nothing wrong with trying to get the appropriate compensation for your skill set - this proves you’re a smart negotiator who understands his/her worth within the marketplace. However, just remember that the ideal situation is one in which both you and your future employer are happy with the terms of employment.
 
Next time:  First week on the job.