10 Things Every Employee Should Know

Congrats on your new job offer!

But before you settle into your new role, there are some critical decisions you must make.  From negotiating your salary to understanding what happens to benefits when you leave your job, this episode will cover 10 critical things every employee should know. 

Tip #1: How to negotiate wisely

Two things you must carefully negotiate when considering a job offer are salary and, if available, stock options. Be sure to spend some time researching what you should ask for and preparing your talking points for the best outcome. 

Note that smaller companies may be more flexible with offering benefits, but negotiating them may not be as easy if you're applying to work for a larger firm. Working with a professional recruiter or negotiator may be worthwhile if you're up for a high-level job, especially if negotiating is not your strong suit. 

Working with a professional recruiter or negotiator may be worthwhile if you're up for a high-level job, especially if negotiating is not your strong suit.

The time to negotiate your salary is before you accept an employment offer. Avoid agreeing to a conditional salary offer, such as getting a six-month review and a potential salary bump down the road. Unfortunately, those offers may not pan out due to changes in the economy, management, or company financials.

But don't negotiate your salary too early, such as while you're still interviewing for a role. If you receive a verbal salary offer, request it in writing so you can carefully review it. Then, use these tips for a successful negotiation:

• Research average salaries for people in your field who have the same level of education, experience, and skills, and figure a range you'd consider accepting.
• Allow a potential employer to make the first offer just in case it exceeds the salary range you had in mind. 
• If a firm presses you for your desired salary, always propose a range that exceeds average salaries for similar people in your field, so you have room to negotiate if needed.
• Make a list of specific reasons why you deserve the salary you want, such as impressive results you've achieved in past positions, your years of experience, and any in-demand certifications or skills you possess.
• Get your final salary and benefits agreement in writing so it can't be disputed later. 

If your potential employer offers salary plus stock options, be sure you understand their value. Some companies, such as startups, provide stock options to sweeten the deal when they don't offer competitive salaries.

Agreeing to a lower salary in return for stock options can be risky...

Keep reading on Quick and Dirty Tips