While having a great salary is something we all strive for, if a role you’re interested in doesn’t have the highest base pay, additional benefits and perks could make the difference (and end up being more beneficial to your job satisfaction in the long term). But how do you get killer benefits and perks? You negotiate!

Negotiation can be a nerve-wracking experience if it’s not something you’re familiar with, so to make it easier for you, we’ve put together a list of additional perks you may not have realized you could negotiate for.

Training and development opportunities

According to a report by PWC, millennials – who will make up 50% of the Global Workforce by 2020 – are most interested in personal learning and development when it comes to employment opportunities. This was backed up a recent Workopolis study into what benefits job seekers found most attractive. All this to say, it will not be seen as unusual if you ask for additional training and development. In fact, you can very convincingly make the argument that this perk actually benefits the organization as well.

Although it won’t initially reflect in your monthly salary, having a job that allows you to develop your skill set can really pay off in the long run, helping you progress up the career ladder (which can lead to better remuneration packages).

Flexi time or telecommuting

A survey conducted in 2014 suggested that 88 per cent of Canadian businesses offered employees flexible work arrangements. According to StatsCan, more than 1.7 million Canadians worked from home in 2010, which was a 23 per cent increase from the year 2000.

If working from home or at unconventional hours will increase your job satisfaction and improve your work/life balance (just think of the commuting time saved!), don’t be shy to ask for it. Many companies have now realized the positive impact that flexible work options have on their employees, so this should be a perk that is easy to push for. Keep in mind, however, that this is heavily dependent on the industry and position. If you ask for the impossible, it will only reflect badly on you.

Career transition support

Career transition support is something everyone should negotiate when getting a severance package. It’s also a perk that people don’t necessarily think about when they start at a new company.

The thing is, it’s always a good idea to be prepared for worse case scenarios. Having access to outplacement services can have a huge impact on your peace of mind and financial stability should the company ever have to cut staff.

If you’re unsure how to broach the subject, explain to your new (or potential) employer that this benefit has been linked to higher rates of employee loyalty and satisfaction.

Expenses

Depending on what type of role you are interviewing for, asking for expenses to be covered (partially or fully) can have a huge impact on your expendable income and on-the-job stress. From mileage and phones, to meals and accommodation during work hours, it’s reasonable to ask your potential employer to foot the bill – provided your demands fall under the organization’s budget. As long as you’re being realistic about expected costs, you don’t need to be afraid to ask the question.

Job title

Something as simple as a different job title can positively influence the future of your career.

“Your job title isn’t just a line on your email signature—it’s a marketing tool,” says Sharlyn Lauby, President of consulting firm ITM Group Inc., and the founder of  HR Bartender.

Having a title that accurately reflects your responsibilities will not only make you feel more confident about your role and the company, it can also help attractive future employers.

With all this in mind, remember, the most important part of negotiating is knowing what you want. What matters most to you at this stage in your life? Once you know the answer to that question, all you have to do is ask for it. You never know, you just might get it.

 

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Joe Flanagan is the senior career consultant at VelvetJobs – Outplacement Services. His expertise includes hiring, recruitment, interview and resume preparation and when he’s not trying to reduce the unemployment rate you can find him hill hiking and solo traveling the world.