Negotiate a Signing Bonus

Negotiate a Signing BonusNegotiate a Signing BonusYouve heard of the signing bonus for accounting and finance jobs, that incentive often used by hiring managers to entice top talent. But do you know when or how to negotiate for one?Lets say that after a difficult job search, you were invited in for an interview, and now the company has asked you back for a second interview. Congratulations If you are successful, the next step may be a job offer.But what if the salary they offer is lower than you were expecting, or the benefits package or employee perks leave something to be desired? By all means, you should try to negotiate closer to the compensation youre comfortable with, but if your attempt is unsuccessful, you may be able to arsortiment additional payment for signing the contract.Enter the signing bonus, also called the sign on bonus. Here are five negotiation tactics for job seekers who see such a bonus in their future1. Wait for an official offerThis applies to any kind of sala ry negotiation, including signing bonuses Let the hiring manager be the first to bring up the topic of money. Wait until you have an official offer to begin negotiations.2. Do your researchNow its your turn to offer a range so theyre clear about your expectations and needs and still have room to negotiate. Reach out to your social network to find contacts who could lend some insight as to whether this is a company that would be amenable to signing bonuses. Also make sure youve researched financial salaries at similar companies and locations.Visit our Salary Center to research starting compensation for more than 400 finance and accounting positions. 3. Broach the subjectIf its apparent the employer is not going to give you the salary you were negotiating for, point out how a signing bonus could make up for it, providing enough of a balance to make you comfortable enough to accept the job.4. Dont make it all or nothingJust as with salaries, its always a bad idea to give a potential em ployer an ultimatum. Even if its impossible for you to accept the job without a signing bonus, saying so might send up a red flag that you might not be a good long-term investment for the company.5. Read the fine printIn most cases, signing bonuses come under specific conditions that will vary from one organization to the next. You may be required to pay back the bonus if you leave the company within a certain amount of time, or the payment may be split up and awarded in increments. Signing bonuses might also introduce new terms into your contract, such as a non-compete clause. Read the fine print to make sure the bonus is truly worth it.If you decide this isnt the position for you, let us help you continue your job hunt.SEARCH FOR JOBSEditors note This post was published in 2014 and updated recently with current information.