Career Services Office
Negotiation Topics
Salary
Salary is the number one thing applicants negotiate, yet a negotiation that focuses only on salary will not be nearly as effective as one that considers all possible options. Always ask if salary is negotiable. Many universities have a salary range for the position being offered, but offer letters usually will not offer a salary at the top of this range. As a result, it is often possible for the department to move a little bit within this range, especially if you are in a high demand field. Salary negotiation is very important because, for tenure track positions, most future salary raises are derived from your starting value. Salary increases are normally awarded annually, based on cost-of-living adjustments (and sometimes with small merit increases), and as a percentage of your salary, rather than a fixed dollar amount. Larger lump sump increases to your base pay do not occur unless you achieve tenure or commence another job search and receive an offer from another institution. The higher salary you start with, the more significant each salary increase will be. Because of equity issues relating to other assistant professors in a department, departments are often unable to accommodate a request for a slightly higher salary. In these instances, job seekers should focus their negotiations on other issues.
Moving Expenses
Institutions may reimburse you for some or all of your moving expenses. Before negotiating, educate yourself about moving costs—either moving yourself or hiring a moving company. Having some idea of the costs will aid your negotiation. Save all receipts related to your move-your moving expenses may also be tax deductible.
Spousal or Partner Assistance
Spousal or partner assistance can sometimes be requested, especially if the job being offered is in a remote location. This assistance can range from the institution providing the applicant's partner with resources for embarking on their own job hunt to actually locating a job for the spouse on campus. Generally, a department will locate jobs only for the partners of highly recruited applicants, but if an applicant's partner is qualified for a campus position that becomes available, the partner candidate may receive some advantage. Investigate the programs available at the institutions you are considering. Spousal assistance initiatives are usually housed in the provost's office or academic affairs, and you may wish to do preliminary Internet research on the institution's Web site using the keywords "spousal hiring," "dual career" or "dual career academic couple." Representative programs exist at the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois.
Benefits and health insurance. Benefits packages are often non-negotiable, as many universities have standardized ( and comprehensive) benefits policies. However, take time to learn more about the benefits package being offered. You may have bargaining points, particularly if you have multiple offers.
Housing
Sometimes candidates can negotiate for the institution to pay for a second trip to the community to search for housing. Some institutions, especially those located in communities with a shortage of affordable housing, have on-campus facilities to temporarily house faculty or feature programs to help faculty members locate and purchase homes. You may wish to inquire about a campus's temporary housing provisions.
Start date. If you are ABD and working to complete your dissertation, you may consider negotiating your start date. Sometimes you can delay the start date by a semester or two. If you begin work without your doctorate complete, clarify when the tenure clock officially begins.
Teaching Load
Teaching load can sometimes be negotiated. You might discuss how many classes you will have to teach per semester, since a lighter teaching load will enable you to spend more time on research and writing, and possibly improve your prospects for tenure. Think in terms of both your teaching load and the number of class preparations you will have. You might also have some flexibility with your teaching schedule.
Start-up Package
Research tools such as office space, laboratory facilities, computer(s) and software, secretarial or research assistant support, funds for research and conference travel, time off for research during the first year or two, sabbatical leave and funding for copies, books, and other materials can sometimes be negotiated.
