You've accepted an international job offer. How do you navigate renegotiating benefits?

The most important thing when negotiating benefits packages for those who are thinking about expatriation is to understand and have a minimum of knowledge of the country and the region where they will be based. With this you will be able to identify what you will be exposing yourself to and your family if they accompany you, with this you can compare what is being offered, to what is necessary according to your own assessment and with this make an analysis of whether it is acceptable or not according to your expectations and needs.

I have been in design and implementation of global benefits for a number of years and I will say that when you are negotiating benefits for an international position, you are basically limited to a few choices. Number one, you accept what is offered to locals, as the company may have a plan comparable to the local offering in accordance with the locality prevalence, or you may negotiate an expat package, provided you qualify for an expat status. It all depends on the terms of the hiring, and with that, your choices are limited to the conditions of hiring. You may also have your country local corporate benefits, however, the length and the conditions of employment in the foreign locality will have to meet the prescribed criteria.

Assess Needs: Identify Priorities: Clearly identify which benefits are most important to you, such as health insurance, retirement plans, relocation expenses, or housing allowances. Research Standards: Research the standard benefits typically offered in the host country and industry to understand what is reasonable to ask for. Personal Circumstances: Consider your personal and family needs, especially how they might change in a new country (e.g., school fees for children, cost of living adjustments).

When you reach out to the company to negotiate after accepting an offer, communicate with the hiring manager the reason for which you would like to discuss again, so they can understand from your point of view and can come with information to help settle the discussion

"Why wait until after acceptance to address benefits? It’s crucial to clarify and negotiate all terms upfront, ensuring mutual understanding and satisfaction. Encouraging people to accept first and renegotiate later can lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary tension."

The cultural context is key to process the change as quickly as possible understanding what to expect and how to act to build secure relationships showing respect to the new culture and traditions.

Cultural Context: Understand Norms: Learn about the negotiation norms in the host country; in some cultures, it might be expected, while in others, it could be frowned upon. Seek Local Advice: Consult with local professionals or expatriates who have experience in the job market of the host country to gain insights into effective negotiation strategies. Respectful Approach: Ensure that your negotiation approach is respectful and considerate of the local business etiquette to avoid any cultural missteps.

Timing Matters: Strategic Timing: Choose the right time to bring up renegotiation, ideally after the job offer but before signing the contract. Company Cycles: Consider the company's budgeting cycles or financial timelines, which might affect the availability of certain benefits. Performance Milestones: Suggest tying additional benefits to performance milestones if immediate renegotiation isn’t feasible.

There can be an overwhelming number of points to consider when deciding on a job offer that involves international relocation. Be sure to address benefit needs and concerns of yourself (and your dependents) before signing on the dotted line.

Leverage Skills: Highlight Value: Emphasize the unique skills and experiences you bring to the role, especially those that are hard to find in the host country. Market Demand: If your skills are in high demand, use this as leverage to negotiate better terms. Future Contributions: Discuss your potential contributions and how they align with the company's goals, reinforcing why the additional benefits are justified.

In case the company can't offer your expected salary, remember and tell them that you still choose to work for them because of their work culture. If you are parenting a new born, ask them for: Work from home once weekly. Time to take small breaks between work as you are a parent. Ask for gift vouchers for the restaurant/ shopping mall of your choice for your special days. Ask for awards and honours in case they find you eligible. Do put in effort to achieve them. Ask for weekend getaways. Ask for healthy diet like fruits, salads and water to be provided at the work place.( Not sodas, cakes.....) Emphasize your enthusiasm to connect with the seniors and gain expert advice. Sponsorship for higher education and certification.

Negotiation Tactics: Mutual Benefits: Frame your requests in a way that highlights the mutual benefits for you and the company. Flexible Options: Be open to flexible benefit packages that can meet both your needs and the company’s constraints. Professional Manner: Conduct negotiations professionally, using clear, concise communication to express your needs and expectations.

Follow Up: Written Summary: After negotiations, provide a written summary of the agreed terms to avoid any misunderstandings. Clarification and Confirmation: Ask for clarification on any points that are unclear and confirm all changes have been officially incorporated into your contract. Gratitude Expression: Express gratitude for the opportunity and for any concessions made, reinforcing a positive start to your employment relationship.