8 Ways to Negotiate for Job Perks

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"></span></i></b></span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, helvetica;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="tblContent"><tbody><tr id="trContent"><td align="center" class="cb_style tcContent" id="tcContent" style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div class="cbArticleWrapper" style="background-color: white; text-align: left; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleContentWrapper" style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 15px; width: 750px;"><div class="cbArticleRight" style="width: 560px;"><div class="RXart" style="padding-right: 20px;"><div class="ArticleHeadline" style="margin-top: -30px;"><div class="cbmsnArticleImage" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://emj.cbdr.com/artieimages/1g/ar5m0bx760sr64f01s1g.gif?time=3/8/2011%205:52:35%20pm" /></div><b><span id="cbArticle_lblByLine">Rachel Farrell, Special to CareerBuilder.com</span></b><br /></div><br /><div class="ArticleContent"><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">In the past couple of years, the economy has thrown job seekers for a loop. But in the midst of job loss, high unemployment rates and long-term unemployment for thousands of job seekers, there have been the lucky few who have held on to their jobs for life -- well, professional life.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But now that the economy is improving, companies are concerned about keeping their top performers and attracting new ones. In order to retain their star talent, companies may be sweetening the pot with non-monetary benefits, according to a new Accountemps survey.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When chief financial officers were asked about the perks they plan to offer or are already offering, 29 percent said subsidized training and education topped the list. Twenty-four percent said flexible schedules, telecommuting and mentoring programs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"On the heels of the recession, perks are a cost-effective way employers can reward and retain staff and attract new employees," says Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of <i>Human Resources Kit For Dummies</i>. "The most popular incentives are those that aid in career development and give employees some control over their work schedules."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The problem is, many job seekers and employees don't know how to negotiate for such perks -- they're only used to bargaining for money.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Many job seekers are tied to the notion that monetary compensation from a salary is the only factor to consider. What many fail to see is that there are many other benefits that hold 'monetary value' outside of what's directly reflected on a paycheck," says Tina Chen, vice president of operations for Employco USA, Inc. "Just because a company may not be flexible with salary negotiations doesn't mean that they are not willing to offer other extras in lieu of a higher salary. There are many 'perks' that can make up for the difference to make the workplace more attractive."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Some of these perks include but aren't limited to extra vacation time, flexible scheduling, continuing education benefits or tuition reimbursement. And sometimes, negotiating these perks can actually be better than negotiating for a higher salary, says Bill Driscoll, district president of Robert Half International.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Because perks typically are less costly, employers may have more flexibility to offer these benefits than a higher salary. Keeping this in mind, candidates may feel more comfortable asking for more perks than they do asking for more money," Driscoll says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">There are several reasons why employers may not be willing to pay you a higher salary, says Jean Baur, senior consultant, Lee Hecht Harrison and author of <i>Eliminated! Now What? Finding Your Way from Job-Loss Crisis to Career Resilience</i>.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"It really has to do with company structure. A hiring manager can't bring in a middle manager at a higher salary than the senior managers, so asking for a sign-on bonus or additional vacation days may be more successful," she says. "It's often a lot easier to get an extra week of vacation than it is to raise the base salary by $10,000."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Additionally, there are instances when the worker's performance or skill sets don't merit a pay increase, says Driscoll.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">"Most employers want to make sure that salaries correspond to the employees' skill set and direct output versus meeting a 'demanded salary,'" adds Chen. "As more employers are becoming cognizant of hiring costs they want to make sure employees are delivering the level of work that is required and can exceed expectations. Employees have to prove that they are worth the asking price, so unless the employers feel they have seen exceptional work – chances are higher salaries will not be considered."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are eight tips to help you negotiate for perks in lieu of a higher salary:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>1. Be prepared for the discussion.</b> "Research current trends related to perks in your area and industry, and understand the types the employer is most likely to offer," Driscoll says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>2. Cover your position.</b> "If you are negotiating for more vacation time, have a plan as to how your work will be covered in your absence," Chen says. "This will alleviate the headache of your employer having to scramble to fill the gap and make the absence less visible."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>3. Present a business case.</b> "Employees must be able to show how the perk they seek will help them meet not just their personal objectives but also benefit the company," Driscoll says. "For example, by attending a seminar on a new industry software application, you can help your colleagues get up to speed on the new technology more quickly."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>4. Stay employer focused. "</b>Before you ask for an item that will be beneficial to you, ask yourself how it will benefit the employer," says Chen. If you're asking for flex time so you can drop off and pick up your kids at school and would like to work 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. instead of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, for example, try something like "Working 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will also allow me to take the early phone calls that come through the reception desk, which generally go into the voicemail box. I can also accept the early packages that are delivered instead of having them being left at the front door where they can easily be stolen,'" Chen says.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>5. Don't be demanding</b>. Remember you're asking for, not entitled to, more vacation or a sign-on bonus, Baur says. "Prioritize what's more important to you: is it money, flexibility, time off or health benefits -- then only ask for one or two things. This is not the time for a laundry list as that could make the employer not want to hire you. If you negotiate in a positive way and limit your requests, you won't lose the offer."<b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>6. Prepare a back-up plan.</b> "Negotiating requires flexibility and employees should have a second option in mind in case their first choice is denied," says Driscoll. "If your employer doesn't allow you to telecommute, for instance, you may be able to work from a satellite office closer to your home."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>7. Be knowledgeable. </b>Continuing education is not only beneficial for your personal growth but also to the company, Chen says. "If you want the company to pay for a course or seminar that you would like to attend – consider adding the following: 'I am really interested in attending this workers' compensation seminar on claim management. I feel by polishing up in this area I would be able to process the claims more effectively and minimize our exposure to pay on these claims.'"</div><b>8. Remain professional.</b> "No matter the response to your request, stay positive, and always try to end the discussion on a positive note. If your request is denied, ask your manager if there are specific steps you can take to earn the perk in the future," says Driscoll. </div></div></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>

8 Ways to Negotiate for Job Perks

Rachel Farrell, Special to CareerBuilder.com In the past couple of years, the economy has thrown job seekers for a loop. But in the midst of...

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PALESTINE

<table id="article-table"><tbody><tr><td style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wNz6PcER8RPuQudBMIT_GoxXahDBvKEQAKOj1wLWj7BWbuiQDspyMFXvYkMRLQN_2WkNzUe0LGM_Ha4q9SLUQxmpEqiqggjgnHAj1B3ztgtYDUxtZ8Bw4fSVdQBYCGB1dQwet4kOah7L/s1600/IsraelMapReduction1922-mandate_for_palestine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wNz6PcER8RPuQudBMIT_GoxXahDBvKEQAKOj1wLWj7BWbuiQDspyMFXvYkMRLQN_2WkNzUe0LGM_Ha4q9SLUQxmpEqiqggjgnHAj1B3ztgtYDUxtZ8Bw4fSVdQBYCGB1dQwet4kOah7L/s400/IsraelMapReduction1922-mandate_for_palestine.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><h2 class="article-title"> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></h2><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: red; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Telling The UN Six Home Truths</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div></td> <td align="right" rowspan="2"><a href="http://www.analyst-network.com/profile.php?user_id=65"><br /></a></td> </tr><tr> <td class="pub-date" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Article by <b>David Singer</b>, Analyst for "International Analyst Network". </span></td><td class="pub-date"><br /></td><td class="pub-date"><br /></td><td class="pub-date"><br /></td><td class="pub-date"><br /></td><td class="pub-date"><br /></td><td class="pub-date"><br /></td><td class="pub-date"><br /></td> </tr><tr align="justify" style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> <td colspan="2"><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Article Republished with the permission of the Author.  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">ISRAEL’S Prime Minister - BENJAMIN NETANYAHU - has announced his intention to address the</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY in NEW YORK this week in connection with the proposed application by the PLO for recognition of a PALESTINIAN ARAB STATE along the 1949 armistice lines.<br /><br />The terms of the proposed resolution remain a closely guarded secret. There still appears to be disagreement between PALESTINIAN ARAB leaders as to its final terms.<br /><br />However notwithstanding such uncertainty Mr. NETANYAHU announced at a press conference with visiting CZECH Prime Minister PETR NEČAS, that he will at the UNITED NATIONS<br />    </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">    "<b>Speak the truth to those who want to hear it</b>"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />There are at least six basic truths that need to be conveyed to the delegates of the 193 member states present who are charged with voting on any proposed resolution: <br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">1.    Mr. NETANYAHU needs to repeat the following statement he made to the UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY on 11 December 1984 : <br />    </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Clearly, in EASTERN and WESTERN PALESTINE, there are only two peoples, the ARABS and the JEWS. Just as clearly, there are only two states in that area, JORDAN and ISRAEL. The ARAB STATE of JORDAN, containing some three million ARABS, does not allow a single JEW to live there. It also contains 4/5 of the territory originally allocated by this body’s predecessor, the League of Nations, for the JEWISH NATIONAL Home. The other State, ISRAEL, has a population of over four million, of which one sixth is ARAB. It contains less than 1/5 of the territory originally allocated to the Jews under the Mandate…. It cannot be said, therefore, that the Arabs of PALESTINE are lacking a state of their own. The demand for a second PALESTINIAN ARAB State in WESTERN PALESTINE, and a 22ND ARAB STATE in the world, is merely the latest attempt to push ISRAEL back into the hopelessly vulnerable armistice lines of 1949.”</span></div><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br />This still remains the strategy behind the current PLO application to the UN. <br /><br />The PALESTINIAN ARABS could have had their State in more than 90% of the territory situated within the 1949 armistice lines had they accepted either of the offers made by ISRAEL in 2001 or 2008. They want 100% to deny ISRAEL the security it needs - as was  recognized by the UN in Resolution 242 <br /><br />This message needs to be repeated - especially for the 34 member States who were not members of the UN when Mr. NETANYAHU made this speech.<br /><br />2.    The view often expressed in the UN that JEWISH settlements in the WEST BANK are illegal in international law ignores the fact that close settlement by Jews on West Bank land, including State lands and waste lands not required for public purposes was to be encouraged and is legally sanctioned by the Treaty of Sevres, article 6 of the Mandate for PALESTINE and article 80 of the UN Charter.<br /><br />Denying this vested legal right by unilaterally passing a resolution that seeks to negate the exercise of that right breaches article 80 of the UN Charter and is a denial of natural justice.<br /><br />3.     Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 are the only legally enforceable resolutions of the UNITED NATIONS binding on all parties to the JEWISH- ARAB conflict. <br /><br />These resolutions call for secure and recognized boundaries to be determined by the parties to the conflict. This can only be done in negotiations and not imposed unilaterally by any decision of either the General Assembly or the Security Council unless both Resolutions are repealed or amended.<br /><br />To do otherwise will bring the UNITED NATIONS into disrepute, cause it to lose its authority and render its future rulings and decisions without force or effect.<br /><br />4.    The 1947 UN Partition Plan called for the establishment of a JEWISH STATE and an ARAB STATE in the balance of the area of the BRITISH MANDATE still controlled by GREAT BRITAIN in 1947 - after 77% of the Mandated territory had been granted independence by GREAT BRITAIN in 1946 as an exclusively ARAB state and was renamed the HASHEMITE KINGDOM of TRANSJORDAN.<br /><br />The ARAB rejection of the UN partition proposal and the failure by the ARABS to create such a State between 1947-1967 must require the General Assembly to stipulate that recognition of any ARAB state in 2011 is conditional upon recognition of ISRAEL as the JEWISH state in the balance of the land contained in the 1947 Partition Plan.<br /><br />5.    The PLO Charter - article 2  - declares that PALESTINE within the boundaries it had during the BRITISH MANDATE is one indivisible territorial unit.<br /><br /> Until this clause is unequivocally and irrevocably deleted  from the Charter - the UN should not consider any application for recognition made by the PLO.<br /><br />6,    The MONTEVIDEO CONVENTION 1933 prevents any consideration of the current application - since the proposed state does not fulfill the requirements of the Convention setting out the conditions for a State to possess before it can make a declaration of statehood and then seek to be recognized.<br /><br /> The UN should be seeking to enforce international law not subvert it. <br /><br />The UN has learned from bitter experience in 1947 what can happen when the General Assembly proposes a solution to the JEWISH-ARAB conflict which one party accepts and  the other party rejects.<br /><br />Hopefully history will not be repeated in 2011. This will depend to a great degree on the final wording of any resolution. If it is not acceptable to both parties then violence and bloodshed is sure to follow. <br /><br />The UN really needs to decide whether international law or the law of the jungle is to prevail.<br /><br />Mr. NETANYAHU said in his press conference that the General Assembly is not "the place where Israel generally gets a reasonable hearing," but it was nonetheless important to present ISRAEL'S position. <br /><br />The real question is - will anyone be listening or have they already made up their minds?</span></td></tr></tbody></table>

PALESTINE

Telling The UN Six Home Truths Article by David Singer , Analyst for "International Analyst Network".  Article Repub...

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