How to negotiate a better salary when you’re on your parents’ insurance

How to negotiate a better salary when you’re on your parents’ insurance was originally published on College Recruiter.

Negotiating for a good salary takes skill, determination, and the ability to compromise. It also takes a lot of confidence, as you have to really sell yourself in a way that will make a potential employer see the value in you as an employee. Benefits are a big part of what you should be negotiating for, and there are benefits that should almost always be on the table in today’s world. 

What if you’re a recent grad who’s still on their parents’ insurance, though? In this case, you might have a little wiggle room to ask for a higher salary since they won’t need to factor health insurance into your employment package. This should, of course, be done delicately and in tandem with the overall pitch you present as a worthy employee. 

The biggest key to getting the salary you want if you don’t need health insurance as a benefit is to really make the case for yourself, and include the fact that you’re already on an insurance plan as a part of that case. Highlight your strengths and show examples of how you’ve provided value to other employers in the field or even while you were studying over the previous four years. Always make sure you’re truthful about your salary expectations and previous experience. A recent study by The Interview Guys found that 1 in 4 people who exaggerated during the hiring process believed it negatively impacted their career. 

It can be tricky for graduates right out of college to land a job without much experience, but if you can demonstrate your skill and knowledge of the role, that will put you in a much better position to negotiate. Already being on health insurance will help you in that regard, especially if you can provide concrete examples as to why you’re the best choice for the role. Try coming prepared with an audition piece or short but thoughtful presentation about what you can bring to the position, and always be upfront about requirements and hopes for salary.

That said, you shouldn’t be too firm in your salary requirements. Think about what you really need from a salary realistically, factor in taxes and calculate your expenses before negotiating, and present a range rather than a solid number. You should be confident in the number you’re proposing, but not too much so that the employer becomes convinced that you’re not willing to compromise at all. 

Ultimately, the most important thing you can do to make your case for a better salary with a potential employer is to do your research. Make sure you understand what the competitive rate is for the job you’re seeking, what you should be making depending on your skill or education level, and what the potential for growth is. These things are all factors in determining a starting salary, and taking healthcare out of the equation will only strengthen the argument you make. 

Remember—there are other things to consider besides salary when considering a job. Salary is ultimately one of the top factors that drive people to accept a position, but there are undoubtedly other factors that should be noted before you accept a position. At the end of the day, you might have a fantastic salary but the job might not always be the best fit for you. Do your research on this as well. Healthcare is almost always a factor for potential employees, so you’ve already got a leg up from a purely financial perspective. From here on out, it’s all about making the best possible case for yourself and your unique skills and attributes. 

— Article by Sean Kelly, an analyst researching the latest industry trends for College Recruiter

By College Recruiter
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