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CAREER GUIDE 2016–2017
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
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FOUND THE PERFECT JOB — NOW WHAT?
It is never too late to start researching a company and having
an expected salary range. Research is going to be critical in
successfully negotiating your job offer down the road. It is not
enough to simply tell an employer that you deserve more money
or an additional benefit – you need to have information/data to
support how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
Research is, often, easier said than done but there are numerous
resources available online.
RECEIVED AN INITIAL OFFER
Depending on the company/organization and the hiring manager,
you may receive an initial verbal offer. Here are things to do when
this happens:
1. Be enthusiastic about the opportunity, even if you are not
initially thrilled with the offer itself
2. While you have the person on the phone [or via email], ask
questions:
a. About benefits packages (health, dental, etc.)
b. Paid time off (sick, vacation)
c. Relocation assistance
d. Signing bonus
e. Stock options
f. Performance reviews
g. Advancement opportunities
h. Additional clauses (non-disclosure, non-compete)
3. Ask that you be sent the official offer letter
4. Clarify and note the timeline: when do they want an answer
from you?
The first step after receiving the official offer letter is to review
it. Does it have everything in it that you had previously discussed
with the employer? How does the offer stand next to the research
you’ve done?
Just because you’ve received an official offer does not mean the
negotiation is finished. You now have, in writing, the specific
details and probably more information than you had, even after
your initial conversation.
Compare the offer to what your evaluation of the salary and
benefits should be — make notes as this will help you in the next
step: negotiation.
NEGOTIATION
Steps for successful negotiating:
1. Contact employer through preferred method (in person, phone,
or email).
2. Thank them for the offer.
3. Reiterate your interest in the company and position.
4. Ask if the job offer is negotiable.
5. Be calm, collected, concise, and confident!
6. Explain why you feel you deserve a higher salary – back up
with research (experience, education, preferred qualifications,
and salary comparisons)
7. If the organization cannot offer a higher salary, negotiate other
benefits: vacation time, signing bonus, moving expenses, etc.
CRUNCH TIME: DO YOU ACCEPT OR DECLINE?
Hopefully, you were successful in your negotiation; however, it is
now time to either accept or decline the offer. As with any major
decision in your life, you need to weigh all of your options.
Regardless of if you are going to accept or decline, do so verbally
and in writing.
Accepting the Offer
1. Thank the employer
2. Confirm the following information:
a. Start date
b. Position
c. Salary
d. Location
e. Other pertinent information
Declining the Offer
1. Thank the employer - express your appreciation for the time
and effort they have invested in the process
2. State that you are declining the offer in a professional manner
3. Wish the employer luck in their recruitment process
After you’ve accepted the offer, be sure to notify any other
employers that you have interviewed with, or applied to,
informing them you have accepted another position. Be sure to
thank them for the opportunity to interview and/or the job offer!
Remember, you never know when you may be meeting/interacting
with employers in the future.
Please notify the Center for Career and Professional Development
to immediately withdraw from the On-Campus Interview (OCI)
process.