Determining the amount of an offer that 1) is attractive to your top candidate, 2) maintains internal equity, and 3) doesn’t break the bank…can be challenging. But, to increase your chances of attracting a talented individual, offers must be competitive.
Not many professionals accept lateral moves, but sometimes it doesn’t take much to tip the scales in your favor. Just sweetening the pot by $5-10K can often make a huge difference. Let’s look at some of the benefits you enjoy when you make a competitive offer, as well as the risks you take when you err on the low side.
• A lot of indecisiveness is eliminated when you make a solid offer.
• Positions get filled faster, resulting in less down-time.
• Candidates are more likely to stop looking at additional job options.
• Counteroffers are less likely to be a problem, resulting in fewer repeat searches.
Coming in at the right salary level shows your candidates how much you value them. That will enhance the relationship with your company throughout their tenure, improving your ability to retain top talent.
Further, offering competitive salaries enhances your company’s reputation within the industry. The talent you recruit will discuss their experience and you’ll receive excellent PR. If candidates think they have wasted their time by interviewing with your firm, that news will be spread as well.
Finally, a competitive offer starts your relationship on the best possible footing. It lets your candidates join your team with the confidence that they are making the right decision. It’s often said that you only have one chance to make a first impression, so get their attention, and make the right impression with your initial salary offer.