Job offer negotiations are becoming increasingly common in the UK. More jobseekers are now fighting for changes to role opportunities during the interview stage. Research carried out by CV Library has found that over half of British workers have instigated such negotiations. 52.9% admitted to having experienced such discussions with prospective employers.
This statistic should not come as a huge surprise, with 61.8% of respondents claiming that they had high expectations when applying for a new role. Therefore, more jobseekers are bartering with employers to get the package that satisfies them.
How successful do negotiations tend to be for jobseekers?
Interestingly, it was found that negotiations often resulted in success for the jobseeker. In 72.8% of cases, the demands were met by the employer. This suggests that there is a place for such negotiations during the hiring process, and it may encourage more workers to do similar. It also indicates that employers are often open to flexibility after finding what they believe to be the right candidate.
However, even though a significant number of jobseekers have utilised this option, not all are comfortable doing it. Despite much success being achieved, there is a clear risk element involved. Some employers may not take kindly to being bartered with, and it could damage your chances of landing the job. Only 50.8% said they were comfortable negotiating, even though this figure did rise to 66.7% for those under 18. Furthermore, it was found that the 25-34 age group was the choosiest in ensuring a role ticked every box.
What are the top areas discussed during negotiations?
There are a range of discussion points for jobseekers during negotiations, with the most popular being:
- Salary – 73.3%.
- Working hours – 46.4%.
- Flexible working – 42.1%.
- Benefits – 36.3%.
- Holiday allowance – 25.5%.
Salary is unsurprisingly the most common topic of conversation, but other factors, such as flexibility, are becoming much more prominent in the current marketplace. Jobseekers are just as concerned with their work-life balance in the modern day, and more businesses across the country are providing this benefit.
Source: Real Business