Q: What offer terms are acceptable to negotiate for an in-house position? How do I figure out where there might be room to negotiate and what truly is set in stone?

A: The road to the offer stage in an interview process is usually a long and winding one with a few bumps along the way. Once this destination is reached, a candidate may anticipate a deep breath, but for many, the thought of negotiating the offer creates added stress. What should I ask for? How do I know what areas have room for more? How do I ask for more without appearing greedy? How do I behave appropriately so my offer does not get pulled? These are the most common questions candidates ask themselves when contemplating a negotiation. Regarding your specific questions:

How do I figure out where there might be room to negotiate?

Every employer is different with regard to its compensation and benefits policies—and every hiring manager is different with regard to how s/he approaches an offer. Some lay it all out on the table, some lowball, and some allow a little give in one or more areas. So no two are the same. Consequently, you are never going to know where there will be room … unless you ask. But before you do, I recommend prioritizing the offer elements about which you care most and focus on those as part of your negotiation conversation. An across the board request for more will compromise your credibility and could be perceived negatively. So targeting your ask as well as communicating a grateful, humble inquiry is key to determining which levers can truly be pulled.

What offer terms are acceptable to negotiate?

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