Better to negotiate job offer in writing or video? (1 Viewer)

[Dez89]

I've just gotten a job offer and told the HR guy that I had some additional questions for the hiring manager, who is located in Europe. During the interview process I spoke twice with the hiring manager on Teams calls.

The HR guy contacted the hiring manager, who emailed me today asking when would be a good time to talk, then also gave me the option of communicating over email because of the time difference.

This will be a negotiation of sorts. I feel like being able to write everything in an email will help me put my thoughts and "arguments" together better and more coherently, but wonder if it would still be better to do it over video.

Thoughts?

 

[eoMMan]

I don't see why emails would be a bad option. If anything, it helps your case later if they try to go back on their word.

 

[The Z Machine]

How will this affect your ability to work from South America? What's the new role? As I recall, you're an engineer of some kind.

 

[Dez89]

How will this affect your ability to work from South America? What's the new role? As I recall, you're an engineer of some kind.

It may affect it in a huge way (thus the "negotiation"). I was going to bring it up in the other thread, but in here I just wanted to discuss the best course of action.

 

[Dez89]

Right now I think I've settled on writing an email laying everything out, then at the end saying that I'd be happy to get on a video call to discuss.

 

[FairWarning]

I would want something in written form vs a video.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Right now I think I've settled on writing an email laying everything out, then at the end saying that I'd be happy to get on a video call to discuss.

This is what I was going to suggest.

 

[Gally]

Right now I think I've settled on writing an email laying everything out, then at the end saying that I'd be happy to get on a video call to discuss.

This is the right answer

 

[Dez89]

That's what I did. Message sent!

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Yeah, it's OK to start over email, but you want to close him in real time. I sympathize because I present myself much better when I have time to organize my thoughts on the page. But talking to him in person (even over video) provides an element of urgency to the discussion, which is important. You both want to get it resolved before you hang up.

 

[Hawks64]

Yeah, it's OK to start over email, but you want to close him in real time. I sympathize because I present myself much better when I have time to organize my thoughts on the page. But talking to him in person (even over video) provides an element of urgency to the discussion, which is important. You both want to get it resolved before you hang up.

If it is over video, or you meet post email, make sure you have a bulleted list off to the side on the screen to keep you on track of the points you'd like to make.

 

[NutterButter]

That's what I did. Message sent!

And that's the last time you hear from them. Just kidding. Good luck.

 

[Dez89]

The guy emailed this morning and said they were great questions and we should get on a call to discuss, so we're set up for Friday morning.

 

[belljr]

YOU BLEW IT#$@

gl

 

[NutterButter]

The guy emailed this morning and said they were great questions and we should get on a call to discuss, so we're set up for Friday morning.

Don't be surprised if they offer you a fancy title instead. Something with "Assistant VP" in it.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

The guy emailed this morning and said they were great questions and we should get on a call to discuss, so we're set up for Friday morning.

Question: Would you describe this opportunity as “I want the job and am hoping to get the best deal possible” or “I’m happy where I am and will only leave if they blow me away”?

If it’s the latter, things become much easier. Just state your terms and if they can’t meet them, you politely decide. If the former, like I said earlier, you want to close them in the call. I would hold one small provision in reserve, and then at the end bring that up and say, “You throw in X and I’m willing to agree right now.”

Obviously you have to read the room, and don’t ask for anything unreasonable. Think of the car salesman who throws in a free year of oil changes to get you to sign (or the customer who asks for a free year of Sirius/XM)

 

[Dez89]

Question: Would you describe this opportunity as “I want the job and am hoping to get the best deal possible” or “I’m happy where I am and will only leave if they blow me away”?

If it’s the latter, things become much easier. Just state your terms and if they can’t meet them, you politely decide. If the former, like I said earlier, you want to close them in the call. I would hold one small provision in reserve, and then at the end bring that up and say, “You throw in X and I’m willing to agree right now.”

Definitely the latter. They already blew me away with the offer, but I'm holding out for a more generous remote work policy.

 

[belljr]

I'm sure you don't need a reminder but in the COVID era, be sure to wear pants or not depending on the interviewer

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

I'm sure you don't need a reminder but in the COVID era, be sure to wear pants

Especially if the meeting is in person

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Question: Would you describe this opportunity as “I want the job and am hoping to get the best deal possible” or “I’m happy where I am and will only leave if they blow me away”?

If it’s the latter, things become much easier. Just state your terms and if they can’t meet them, you politely decide. If the former, like I said earlier, you want to close them in the call. I would hold one small provision in reserve, and then at the end bring that up and say, “You throw in X and I’m willing to agree right now.”

Definitely the latter. They already blew me away with the offer, but I'm holding out for a more generous remote work policy.

Those are the best kind of negotiations! Nothing gives you more leverage than being willing to walk away.

My favorite negotiation story of all time is the economist Harold Demsetz, who was asked by a competing university if he was happy in his job. His response: “Make me unhappy.”

 

[Dez89]

Had the call this morning with the hiring manager and it went better than I could have hoped. It was a good thing that we had the call, because it turned out that there was a misunderstanding on his part of what I was looking for with the remote work. He thought I was expecting the company to pay for it, and when I told him I was paying for it myself he looked relieved and said that's no problem at all then.