How young job seekers can tell employers they need Better Benefits

Negotiating a salary and benefits package with an employer can feel a bit intimidating at times, especially for those who really just need a job. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t advocate for yourself to get a better offer. You should, ultimately, do everything you can to get yourself the best salary and benefits package possible—especially benefits, as the benefits at a company can really make or break your experience there.

For young job seekers who might not have as much experience negotiating and advocating for better, talking to an employer about better benefits isn’t as hard as it might seem. If you follow a few simple guidelines, you’ll be in a much better position for getting the things you want out of your employment.

One of the most crucial things when it comes to approaching an employer is timing. Make sure you don’t jump on it too early, as you don’t want to seem eager or opportunistic. Try accomplishing some wins first and making strides on certain projects or goals, that way you’ll have much more leverage when asking for better benefits. Of course, if you haven’t gotten the job yet, asking early is crucial. You should always strive to be ahead of the curve, and even assume that other candidates have been negotiating with employers as well. 

As with any job-related issue or proposal, you should always be prepared with research and calculations to back up your request. Know exactly what you want, how much it factors into your overall package, and how it impacts your role directly. If you can put together a detailed proposal, something like this would go a long way. You’ll want to make sure you can properly convey exactly what you’re asking for and why, and be thoughtful about how you convey it.

Confidence will also go a long way for young job seekers. As with any job opportunity, providing examples as to why you’re the best person for the job goes a very long way. The same goes for advocating for better benefits. Whether it’s more comprehensive health coverage, student loan reimbursement, work device reimbursement, or travel expense reimbursement that you’re looking for, selling yourself confidently is key. 

As a young person who’s most likely relatively new to the job market, it’s especially important that you stand out and assert yourself as a valuable asset to your employer or potential employer. Rehearse a presentation and make sure you go into negotiations with the level of conviction and knowledge to really show your employer that you care about the benefits you’re fighting for and also that they have every reason to make an investment in you as an employee.

As with anything, you should also be ready to make some compromises. It’s not always possible to get exactly everything you want when negotiating for better benefits, especially as a young employee. Ultimately, you should try to come to the situation prepared to meet in the middle somewhere. For example, if you’re looking to get commuting travel expenses reimbursed as part of your benefits, it might be a good idea to prepare yourself for the possibility of compromising on 50% reimbursement as opposed to 100%. After all, getting half of your travel expenses reimbursed for commuting to and from work every day is better than getting none of it paid for. Compromising can also signal that you’re willing to work with your employer and that you aren’t stuck in your ways.

At the end of the day, knowing what you want and how to ask for it is the best way to negotiate as a young employee. Don’t let yourself be taken advantage of because of your experience level or age, and display confidence in how you sell yourself and ask for what you want. You’d be surprised by how much you can accomplish.

— Article by Sean Kelly, an analyst researching the latest industry trends for College Recruiter