What to Negotiate in a Job Offer Besides Salary

Those working in the charity sector are deeply passionate about their work. 76% search for roles based on the cause a charity supports. But it would be a lie to say that pay isn’t still important. As nice as it would be to spend 100% of a charity budget on the cause, employees need to be able to live comfortably to work at their best.

However, charity budgets are tight, and this often means that pay brackets are lower than for equivalent roles in other sectors. If the pay offered is less than for similar roles at other charities, it’s always worth trying to negotiate. But what can you do if the charity just can’t budge on salary?

Here are some of the other benefits that you can negotiate in a job offer besides salary.

More time working remotely

Since the forced introduction of remote working for many during the pandemic, it’s now become much easier to put in place. Most charities already support remote working, at least some of the time, for jobs where it’s practicable. If the organisation you’re applying to would require you to come into the office most days, or you live far away, this is something you could negotiate in a job offer besides salary.

Working from home saves you money in commuting costs, whether that’s via public transport or fuel and parking fees. You have to weigh this against the increased costs associated with working from home, such as paying for heating. But cutting down on just one or two days in the office every week could save you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds a year.

Flexible working

Having less rigid working days and hours means you can work when it best suits your needs. This can save you money on childcare costs. It could also save money on things such as sports and gym facilities, since you can go outside of the busiest times. This is also useful if you find using public facilities at peak times to be too busy and stressful.

You may also be able to avoid rush hour by working outside of the usual 9-5 schedule. This will save you money on tickets if you use public transport and time spent sitting in traffic if you drive.

Quality of life covers more than just salary. Autonomy at work is well known for being a key factor in happiness. More time to spend with family, less time spent commuting and being able to fit work around life rather than fitting life around work are all important.

Allowances/reimbursement

Will your job require a lot of travelling around, or will your commute be quite long or expensive? It might be worth requesting to be compensated for your travel expenses. The same goes for any small, recurring costs that come with the job. Periodic small costs might be easier for charities to budget for than an increase in salary.

If the charity isn’t providing you with a laptop, this is something you could negotiate for. Alternatively, you could request that they help cover some of the costs of buying your own―especially if you’re working from home some of the time. You can say the same for other tech you need to complete your job, such as a keyboard, laptop stand, mouse or headset.

Mentorship, training, and personal development

There are many free mentoring schemes available in the charity sector, making this a valuable option for the charity and for you. You get guidance and support from the mentor, which will help you to excel in your role and give you a higher chance of getting a promotion. There are also training courses, workshops, seminars, or online classes, some of which are at a discounted/free rate for charities.

Given that this is a low-cost option with high reward, you could ask the charity if they can allow time for mentorship and training during work hours. They might not have enough in the budget for a pay rise, but they might still be able to afford training.

A change in responsibilities/job title

If the responsibilities listed for the role indicate that the job is more senior than the title suggests, you could negotiate for a different title. This puts you at a higher level, meaning your managers might consider you for a pay increase or promotion in the future, when the budget allows for it. It also looks great on your CV and demonstrates the value you bring to the charity.

Or, you could negotiate to keep the job title but reduce the responsibilities so that they’re more in line. If you’d like to gain more experience in a different area that’s not a part of your job title, this is also something you could ask for.

Don’t forget the best time to negotiate is after you’ve been made an offer, but before you’ve accepted it. This way, the charity has already decided that you’d be a great fit for the role. They’ll be less willing to go back to the drawing board and start recruiting for the role again.

Salary is important, but it’s worth considering the other things you can negotiate in a job offer. It’s possible to gain benefits that save you time and money, all while making a difference in a job you love.