Episode 9
Preparation
Task
Task 2
Business notes
In this video Sarah meets Marcia to negotiate on some of the details in her contract.
Companies are often used to people negotiating so, as long as you're realistic and polite, and can justify your requests then it's likely that you will get something out of it.
Negotiating is more than just about your salary though, you can also negotiate on, for example, monthly salary, bonuses, car allowance, pension contributions, healthcare contributions, number of days holiday or even future salary review dates.
Some companies have fixed policies about benefits, depending on the level of the position. This can make negotiation tricky, as the employer may literally have little say over the package. This was the case with Marcia who was unable to offer Sara a higher salary or more days holiday.
If this is the case, simply ask them where they could be flexible - and negotiate from there. Sarah was successful in getting added to a bonus scheme and changing her start date through her persistence.
Transcript
Transcript
Marcia Boardman: Hi! Welcome to WebWare.
Sarah Timms: Thanks, nice to see you again.
Marcia Boardman: You too. So, you said you wanted to come in and have a chat before you started...
Sarah Timms: Yeah, I just wanted to have a look round and ask a few more questions, if I can...
Marcia Boardman: Sure, fire away!
Sarah Timms: Well, I was delighted to receive the job offer...
Marcia Boardman: Good – we were delighted to offer it to you...
Sarah Timms: But before I sign the contract there were one or two specifics I wanted to talk about.
Marcia Boardman: OK... 'specifics'?
Sarah Timms: Well... there is a pay scale, instead of a fixed salary...
Marcia Boardman: Yes, as a new employee you’d be at the lower end of the pay scale.
Sarah Timms: But taking my experience into account...
Marcia Boardman: Well, you haven’t had that much experience – we see you as an investment...
Sarah Timms: But that salary would only be a little more than I’m making now. So, instead of asking for a higher level on the pay scale, I thought this could be compensated by adding certain bonuses - for instance if I make certain sales targets, or even break them, I would be looking for a good cash payment, or stock options in the company.
Marcia Boardman: Well, that is something we sometimes offer senior members of staff, but to show good faith I’ll provisionally offer you the bonus scheme – but I’ll have to okay it with Philip first.
Sarah Timms: That’s fine. I also see there are 25 days holiday.
Marcia Boardman: Yes. That’s standard.
Sarah Timms: It’s not very much for a high pressure job though...
Marcia Boardman: I can’t offer you any more holiday.
Sarah Timms: No, but I was wondering if we could delay my start date, so instead of starting a week from now, as we discussed, I could start in a month’s time?
Marcia Boardman: You’re a tough negotiator, Sarah!
Sarah Timms: That’s one of the reasons you hired me!
Marcia Boardman: Yes, of course. OK, I think we can do that – I’ll look forward to seeing you in a month, and earning those bonuses!
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
Comments
i dont know how to download the video clips for business & work....can get help please?
Hello rislam!
I am happy you like the video enough to want to keep it! Unfortunately, we don't have the files ready for download so you can't download and keep them at the moment. We hope to make them available in the future, so keep watching the site. In the meantime, feel free to watch this video and others as often as you like!
Best wishes
Jeremy Bee
The Learn English Team
Sarah is very good negotiator. I hope I can negotiate well like her. I just applying for some jobs recently and while waiting, shaping my grammar wouldn't be bad. Hope I can be more fluent and excellent in grammar and speaking. Looking forward for anyone or LearnEnglish team to give feedback. Please don't hesitate to chat or talk with me :)
Your web is so great to me. My English is much better thank to your video. I wonder how can I download the video...
Hello, I am Vietnamese!
I'm sorry, but the files can't be downloaded right now because of legal and computer issues. We want to put the videos up when we have answered these problems though. In the meantime, enjoy watching this video and some of our other Learning English videos!
I am happy the videos and website are helping you, though!
Best wishes,
Jeremy Bee
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi! This website is wonderful! I like to do more practice and learning here during my free time.
Thank you...
Thank you all for helping us,and this website changing my life.
I think, this program is very useful for all.Thanks a lot.
good way to discuss before you begin. what ideas you offer.
thanks
If all the boss were that way... Everything would be better... and I would be earning more!!