Although you may not always reach your maximum goal in the salary negotiation, you still may see a long-term benefit to join the company. One option is to ask for a single, lump-sum signing bonus. Some companies will offer these as a way to attract candidates if the salary package is not as competitive. You may also want to negotiate for the future.
Negotiating for the future means looking from one quarter to a year or two out and establishing benefits or incentives for benefits in that time frame. Some of these may include:
- A performance review in 60, 90, or 120 days. This will give you time to prove yourself and have a fair measure for a potential increase.
- A title promotion with a raise. Ask your employer to evaluate your performance for a potential promotion after a year of work with the organization.
- Bonuses. Monthly, quarterly, or annual bonuses are an excellent way to increase the total financial package and are typically directly related to your performance or the performance of the organization.