AN OFFER IS MORE THAN SALARY!
April 26th, 2006
When you are in a job search it is very important to know what “range” of salary you can actually accept. Often benefit packages include perks that can lower your salary requirements. If your new employer has certain expenses deducted pre-tax, that is worth quite a bit of money to you. Often commuting costs, parking costs, day care costs can be included in these type of pre-tax deductions.
Benefits are worth their weight in gold and must be considered as an important part of your salary negotiations. You also need to determine the quality of life that is important to you. If you have young children, or if you are at the point of your life that you don’t want to work extensive overtime, this is also something you need to determine during the interview process. Most companies are converting to PTO - paid time off vs. separating time off by vacation days, sick days, personal days etc. This gives you more flexibility and is an awesome perk, if offered.
I’ve actually seen individuals turn down a job offer for less than $1.00 a day who had benefit packages worth a few thousand dollars. In order for you not to make that same mistake, make sure you know going in what the company benefits are really worth to you!
Good job hunting….Barbara J. Bruno, CPC