You have gone to school for two decades of your life, served your time coming up the ranks of a company, and now find yourself in the running for executive-level positions of your choice. This is obviously a turning point in your life and you are to be commended. At the same time, you want to negotiate well from this point on in order to get the perks and benefits that you are now entitled to. This is not about entitlement. Rather, it is about getting what you have earned. Here are a few tips to keep in mind the next time you enter into a negotiation.
Focus on the Salary
The money you earn today should be the focus of any negotiation. You can have all of the perks in the world, but they mean little if your salary is not up to your expectations. This will obviously depend on the size of the company and the nature of your position, but make sure you are being paid at least what the market dictates.
Look for a Clothing Allowance
Executives must look the part at all times. This does not come cheap. You will want to work on getting a clothing allowance. Do not forget to have dry cleaning expenses included in that so that you look sharp for those out of town business meetings.
Get Ready for An International Move
If your company is expanding overseas, they may need you to relocate for a number of years. You may lead an international office of your business. You will want to have an international moving package included in your negotiations. Make sure your family is taken care of, including schooling for your children if applicable.
Get a Company Car
Many executive-level positions require a lot of travel. You do not want to put a lot of wear and tear on your family vehicle. Get a company car so that you can avoid this and always have reliable transportation available for your family as well.
Provisions for Your Termination
You may not want to think about it, but you should consider the possibility of your future termination. You will want to have a severance clause contained in your contract. This will help protect you and your family if the company goes under or your position is eliminated in the future for any reason.
These are just a few of the many negotiation points that you should keep in mind as you work out the details of an executive-level position. It is important to make sure that all parties involved are on the same page before you sign any contract. Get what you deserve and you and your family will be much happier in the end.
Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
