Negotiating Your Contract (TravelCon 2017)

Negotiating helps you. You have a right to negotiate. Some agencies won’t negotiate.  You are in charge. You never have to accept and offer you don’t want. Until you commit, you are just SHOPPING!

2 styles:

1. Cooperative

2. Confrontational

Make Lists

ü  Things you LIKE

ü  Things you NEED

ü  Professional goals

ü  Financial goals

Remember dream destinations can wait! Flexibility broadens options. Think outside of the box.

Always have a plan B

·         2+ agencies

·         Alternatives fuel strength

·         Recruiters don’t relish this

·         Be HONEST!

Most negotiating should be done on email to have a paper trail.

Contract

·         Insist that preliminary offers be sent in email

·         Insist on sufficient detail

·         Written record is important

Set ground rules

·         No verbal contracts—they aren’t binding

·         Reaching an agreement depends on the details

·         No unauthorized submissions

·         Don’t mislead- be honest about shopping around

Set professional tone

·         Be friendly—but don’t try to make friends -- I don't necessarily agree with this. My recruiters and I keep up with each others' lives. But yes, we are business associates first. And I think we all know that. 

·         Remember: This is a business contract

    Don’t invest your emotions when negotiating