When you get a job offer that’s a bit lower than you had hoped, it’s hard to decide if you should accept – and hope to make up the salary difference later – or turn it down. Are there reasons other than just compensation to think about when considering a job offer?

Ten Non-Salary Factors to Consider:

• Qualities of the person who is hiring you that will be your boss, mentor and advocate
• The qualities of the teammates you will interact with on a daily basis
• Company’s culture
• Company’s training and development programs
• Opportunities for advancement within company
• How does the job position you for career stability and growth
• Financial strength of the company.
• Competitive strength of the company within its industry
• The company’s future product pipeline and R&D
• Overall compensation plan – salary, incentive bonus/commissions, 401k plan, stock compensation, benefits, etc.

If any of these factors are important to you, and they all should be, add them into your decision-making process before turning down an offer out-of-hand. If you are making a career change or getting into a target company, a little sacrifice in the short-run could make your long-term career that much more rewarding.

Should You Negotiate?

It’s nearly always worth giving it a shot. You’ll never know what you’re leaving on the table unless you try. If the company has extended an offer, you are a candidate they want to hire and they may be willing to do what they can to make the offer more attractive.

Just keep in mind, as always and especially at this time, it’s not what you say so much as how you say it. Be respectful, thoughtful and have a sound justification for why you would like more.

There is an old saying from the Wall Street investment community – bears and bulls make money, but pigs get slaughtered. Don’t be piggish, be humble, be smart and approach the person making the job offer with earnest eagerness, thankful for the offer.

Do Your Homework.

What is a fair rate of pay for the position? Factor in years of experience, location and education. Are your skills particularly in demand? If you turn this position down, how quickly can you find a comparable one?

What if They Say No?

It’s highly unlikely that they will rescind the offer. They may counter-offer or they may just hold firm with their original offer. What then? See what else may be negotiable. Can you get more vacation time? A performance bonus? Can you agree on a salary review in three or six months? It never hurts to ask.

Still Stuck at the Original Offer?

The ball is in your court. Decide if the potential benefits of the position are worth the trade-off of the lower salary. It’s your career – decide what’s most important to you. Is the ability to walk to work worth a bit of a pay cut? Is getting in on the ground floor of a start-up one of your dreams? It’s up to you.

Need help finding the right sales or marketing job? The experts at SMR Group Ltd can help you find positions that fit your skills, experience and professional goals. Contact a recruiter at SMR Group Ltd today to get started!