Many of us often shy away from asking for more and better. More money. Better working arrangements. A larger team. Better access to material resources. Higher fees. Better prices.

Because first of it seems like a privilege to get a job in Africa. I mean the statistics for the unemployed are quite high such that once you get to employment offer stage you are like Thank You Lord!

And so once you cross that bridge here are some of the things you should when you get to that point.

1. The Negotiation Doesn’t Start Until Someone Says “No”

I learnt this amazing tip in one of the Forbes Articles.I thought negotiation starts immediately you are asked the salary amount.

It’s not really a negotiation if we’re asking for something we know our bargaining partner also wants. Negotiation is a conversation whose goal is to reach an agreement with someone whose interests are not perfectly aligned with yours.

You start negotiating when you say you value and they say no.

2.Go ham on it

Have you ever had a situation where your peers at work earn more than you yet you are in the same job scale.

Well aside from company politics,one of the main reason is negotiation skills some maybe never negotiated others didnt to do a good job on it.

And so dont be afraid to ask for more.At this point you have been selected as the best fit and so you deserve the best.

3. The salary is just the tip of the iceberg.

Most of us millenials thought that you only negotiate for a salary. Yet other packages actually make the negotiation worthwhile.

There are other packages that are very crucial to your employed life.

a)Gratuity

Gratuity is a lump sum amount that an employer pays the employee (on contract) when he/she retires or resigns from the organization.

In alternative, an employee qualifies for gratuity payment after a specified period of employment, usually five years of service with the employer.

Gratuity is usually paid in the following circumstances:
(i) when the employee retires
(ii) When the employee resigns
(iii) In event of death of the employee
(iv) In event of disablement i.e. because of accident or illness.

How is gratuity paid in Kenya?

You indicate that your employer gives you gratuity at 70 per cent of your basic salary as gratuity at the end of every contract year.

The Act provides that service pay should be calculated at 15 days salary for every year worked. Your employer is giving you 70 per cent, which is a better package than the service pay.

b)Pension.

The things we tend to prioritize most during a negotiation are usually medical covers, net salary, further education funding but never pension. Thinking about your future now is important and negotiating now sets the pace for that.

Your offer interview is hit or miss call. I have realized how we have short-changed ourselves due to lack of knowledge on financial benefits from your potential employer.

The state requires that your employer must cater for your NSSF or 401(K) contributions.Additionally you may want inquire on a individual pension scheme the company has aside from the state social security plans.

c)Allowances

Medical ,education,housing,car ,airtime and travel allowances are key during this stage get to know how far your employer can go just have in their organisation.

d) severance package

One perk to consider is asking for is a severance package written into your contract. This package would activate should the company be acquired or should you be laid off due to no fault of your own, and it can help you ensure that you’re prepared in case things go awry.

4.Leverage on the psychology behind negotiation.

In the event where you have mentioned all these packages we have talked about and they ask you why they should give you,leverage on it.

The social science research confirms that appearances are reality.

According to Forbes in one experiment, students were asked to cut in line at a local Kinkos. One group was told to give no reason, one a nonsensical reason, and one a good reason.

  • Can I cut in line?
  • Can I cut in line? My mother’s in the hospital, and I need to get these papers copied before I can go see her.
  • Can I cut in line? I need to.

Here are the compliance rates:

  • No reason: 40%
  • A good reason: 98%
  • A nonsensical reason: 97%

Any Reason’s Far Better Than No Reason and Nearly as Good as an Excellent One.But proceed with caution on this one. Don’t give a reason that will air out your dirty laundry.

5. Negotiate for your wellness.

Most times we go into employment with mindset to delver on the job but never the wellbeing and wellness during your employment.

I mean we anticipate to spend most time at work than at home and therefore other perks like ;

a)Additional vacation time

b)leave days

c)sick offs

d) Professional  training

e)Flexi hours

Make sure to ask for work-life balance perks you care about .