"Even though awards remain less prevalent than during the tech boom of the late 1990s, there are still opportunities for employees in hot areas to snag a bonus," says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerJournal.com.
A typical signing bonus for middle managers and professionals runs about 5% to 10% of base salary, and a superstar senior executive can command a signing bonus equal to up to 100% of salary.
Employers use signing bonuses to lure top talent when good candidates are scarce. Employees are more likely to get a bonus if they work in an in-demand field, such as national security, data security or accounting.
Even if you don't work in a hot field, CareerJournal.com offers these tips for obtaining a signing bonus:
* Thoroughly research whether signing bonuses are common in your industry
or at your prospective employer.
* Determine how other recent hires successfully negotiated signing
bonuses.
* Timing matters-don't obsess over a signing bonus during job interviews.
Bring it up after a company decides that it wants you.
* Let the hiring manager know that you're very interested in this job but
have other opportunities, and a signing bonus would clinch your
commitment.
* Find out how long the position has been open-if it has been vacant for
a year, you have more leverage.
* Persuade the hiring manager that you must give up something valuable by
taking the new job, such as an expected year-end bonus.
* If a job offer strikes you as too low, ask for a higher salary before
you request a signing bonus.
For more information, visit http://www.CareerJournal.com.
About CareerJournal.com
CareerJournal.com is The Wall Street Journal's award winning career site targeted to executives, managers and professionals. http://www.careerjournal.com/
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