Blog Post: Pros and Cons

I recently wrote a series of entries on the topic of negotiation. Before we can continue any further on this subject, it is important to take a step back. Successful negotiation requires that you first properly evaluate an employment offer. I am including here the best evaluation tool that I have for this process.

Please find below an adaptation of the common "pros and cons" list; My colleague had recommended this approach for making any important life decision; I have set it up here to specifically apply to evaluating a job offer. The green blocks will be filled with information that supports your decision to "go for it", i.e. accept the offer. In the red blocks, you should list your reasons for"putting the stops on" and refusing the offer.

You may be looking at the chart above and wondering, "what's new here?". The answer is very little. Many people use pros and cons lists, at least in their heads. However, I believe that most lists are typically incomplete. The addition of the bottom 2 squares makes sure that you evaluate the opportunity in comparison to your current reality, instead of just an ideal or wish. It requires that you seriously consider the consequences of remaining out of work, too. Please look at the example below which is partially completed.

In this example, if the candidate's main objective is to improve his financial situation and he only goes as far as completing a basic pros and cons list, he may decide to refuse the offer. However, when we look at the "reality" of the situation by determining how this offer improves his current circumstances, the best decision may be very different. This candidate's best choice may be to accept the offer in order to gain valuable training and marketable skills while getting his bills under control. At the same time, he would avoid the risk of appearing "stale" to future employers due to time out of the market.

The truth is that only you can make this determination. Sometimes it is best to accept "less than" you had hoped for and, at other times, it may be best to hold out a bit longer by declining an offer. When you utilize this tool, you are much more likely to make a rational informed decision, instead of a purely emotional one.

Even if you decide to decline a position, it is still in your best interest to negotiate because they might be able to "sweeten" the deal and change your mind. On the flip side, you should also consider negotiating when you are highly sold on the offer. You may ask, in these hard economic times, 'how do (I) negotiate without offending an employer?" I will discuss this in the next entry, but for now the simple answer is, "with a great deal of tact".