Know your own worth when job hunting

More than half of Brits (52 per cent)havehaggledwithapotential employer over a job offer – and the majority of them (72.8 per cent) got what they wanted as a result.

That’s according to a new survey from independent job board CV-Library, which explored the views of 1,200 UK workers. The results also showed that nearly two-thirds (61.8 per cent) of Brits admit to havinghighexpectationswhen it comes to looking and applying for jobs, with 50.8 per cent statingthattheywouldfeelcomfortable negotiating a job offer. This figure rose to 66.7 per cent amongthoseundertheageof18.

Whenaskedwhatthekeyareas were they would negotiate on within a job offer, respondents cited the following: 1. Salary (73.3 per cent); 2. Working hours(46.4percent);3.Flexible working (42.1 per cent); 4. Benefits (36.3 per cent); 5. Holiday allowance (25.5 per cent).

“It’s fair to say Britain is a nation of hagglers in every respect,” says Lee Biggins, founder and managing director of CV-Library.

“Nowadays, negotiations aren’t just made at the local market, but in shops, hotels and even during the job hunting process.

“The shift in power within the job market means many candidates know their worth and will only move for a job that meets all of their criteria.

“Salary continues to be the main driver for job hunters, with many refusing to move jobs unless they’re receiving a significant pay increase.

“What’smore,withwork/life balancebecomingmoreimportant in today’s working world, today’s candidates want confirmation they’re not going to be gluedtotheirdesksforallhours oftheday.Thereisalwaysroom for negotiation with job offers; you just have to be confident about your position.”

Despite workers admitting to having high expectations around jobs, more than half (56.5 per cent) don’t expect too much from their job offers, while a further 55 per cent stated their high expectations have not put them off applying for or accepting certain roles.

That said, those aged 25-34 werethemostlikelytobeputoff ajobwhichdidn’ttickeverybox.

In addition, the majority (84.3 per cent) would be willing to compromise when negotiating a job offer, with this figure rising to 85.5 per cent among 35-44yearoldsand88.3percent among 55-64 year olds.