How to negotiate for more Vacation
When you are accepting an offer make sure to tell your new company that you have a vacation planned in the near future.
In other words, negotiate for pre-set PTO at your new job.
I'm a big fan of taking time off, and in the US we frankly don't get enough of it. So why not plan it in advance so nobody can argue with you?!
I say do it! Below are a few tips to keep in mind when you are negotiating.
1. Even if you don't have a vacation planned yet, say that you do
When you talk to your recruiter about your start date, mention that you have a vacation that was already planned for a certain time in the future.
You don't actually have to have the vacation trip planned already. Just make the plans later but block it off on your calendar now.
Most companies won't blink at this because it's reasonable that you have preset plans already. But it's good to give them a heads-up.
2. Time it so it's planned for 4+ months after your start date
Ideally, you don’t want to take time off in your crucial first 90-100 days.
But after this ramp time, you're gucci.
You want to make sure you are making an impact in your first 90 days.
So be laser-focused when you first start and try to get a win as soon as you can, that way when you take a vacation nobody will fault you.
3. Ask to start after your vacation
Another strategy is to ask for your start date to be later so you can take a trip before you start your job.
Usually, companies don't mind pushing the start date out by a week or two. So ask for it and take time to chill (or party) before you start your new job.
I like this strategy because it means you can truly take time off without worrying about work. We all know how hard it can be to truly unplug.
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SIDE NOTE: Want to get salary negotiation scripts...check out the workbook, specifically module 5.
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Negotiating is just asking for what you want and seeing how they can sweeten the deal for you.
You won't lose an offer if you negotiate, it's a very normal part of the hiring process.
In fact, if you have the offer the company really wants to make a deal so you'll join them.
Remember, everything is negotiable!
Here are a few things I've seen people negotiate:
Hours worked
Rent (yes for real)
Commuter benefits
Time off
Car lease
Wellness benefits
It's not allll about salary and equity. Don't be afraid to ask for your ideal setup.
Either way, negotiate for pre-planned vacations in advance so it’s in the books before you even start your new job.
Employers won't fault you for the plans you made before accepting the job.
Leisure is underestimated and under-used. Build it into your new job upfront.
Want to know what I teach my clients who land at top tech companies?
I share my entire job search process in this workbook 👇🏾
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