Hello!
I just got my first job offer here in Japan, and with a target company to boot! But its on the low end of their range and I want to negotiate it. I know how, but the timing and approach I'm unsure of in a Japanese context. My Offer Mendan is scheduled in a couple of days.
Could ya'll help me with some of the negotiation nuances I'm trying to understand?
When do you typically negotiate an offer? (Before, during or after an offer meeting?)
For this instant, I need to negotiate during or after the offer meeting, as HSP visa income point clarification needs to be had first. But for the future if I should before the offer meeting it's still good to know.
If you signal/negotiate/counter before/after an offer meeting, How do you correspond with them? – Via email or insist on a call with your HR person? My gut says to get a call preferably, but with my only communication channel being with the japanese-oriented HR office, I wonder if such a request is brash.
What is a realistic percentage range increase you can negotiate a salary offer?
Assume mid-career range of 5M-8M, (300K-450K/monthly base)(In the US, 10-20% is typical)
Besides base salary, what other compensation elements are common or realistic to negotiate for with a large established company? (i.e sign-on bonus, learning stipend, starting # of holidays, etc) (For my case I'm not eligible for their housing allowance)
Lastly, in your experience is it best to counter with clear specific ask or leave it more open? (i.e "Unfortunately this doesn't meet my needs, I'd like to request X salary, plus 1,2,3, because of A,B,C." VS "I was hoping to get closer to X-Y salary due to A,B,C, can we discuss a number closer to that range?") It's my understanding they'll have to get back to me if they meet it, but not sure which is easier for them to work for.
Background context/prior research:
- This is for an english-oriented mid-career role needing 5-7 yrs relevant experience with a big Japanese company (albeit internally globally diverse) (parent company is foreign).
- I've applied directly, not through a head-hunter, and while there is a specific HR person for the dept I'm applying for, all email correspondence is with their general HR office.
- I'm comfortable with negotiating as its part of my job, and negotiated salaries before. *But not in Japan, so I'm a bit cautious of nuances in cultural and process differences.
- I've read 5 prior reddit posts relating to negotiating salary offers in Japan which gave great insight. Including to be polite & grateful, stall salary negotiation as late as possible, possibly leverage an offer extension, and different points to sell your value.
- Coffee chats with other professionals have given me conflicting advice on the "when" and whether via email, call or in the meeting.
- Their offer is near the bottom of their range, which makes me feel a bit undervalued, and commoditized. I self-evaluate as being mid-to-lower mid on their range.
- My compensation priorities are #1 ensure income meets my HSP visa needs, #2 Getting a fair offer, #3 make the most of the offer via learning stipend, sign-on bonus, etc.
- I'm a recent MBA grad living in Tokyo, with 5+ years work experience in the US.
Any and all help is appreciated, thanks so much!!
by Less_Breakfast4089