Maximising Your Job Negotiation

Maximising Your Job Negotiation: Why You Should Ask for a Sign-On Bonus

When it comes to negotiating for a new job, many focus solely on the salary or the benefits package offered by the employer. However, there’s one element that often gets overlooked: the sign-on bonus. If you're currently negotiating or even thinking about applying for new positions, you might want to add this to your toolkit.

Sign-On Bonuses Are Still On the Table

You might assume that the days of sign-on bonuses are long gone, or that they're only available to top executives or highly specialised roles. But that’s not the case! While sign-on bonuses might not be advertised upfront, they are often a hidden opportunity for those who ask. In fact, I’ve personally negotiated sign-on bonuses in the majority of my past jobs, and it’s not as rare as you might think.

The Power of Asking

Here’s the thing: most people don’t ask for a sign-on bonus, simply because they think it’s off the table or fear rejection. But here’s the reality—if you don’t ask, the answer will always be “no.” The only potential downside to requesting a sign-on bonus is that the employer might say no, and that’s not really a downside at all. You’ve lost nothing by asking, and you’ve potentially gained thousands by doing so.

What If You Don’t Ask?

Imagine being at work, sitting next to a colleague who, unbeknownst to you, negotiated a sign-on bonus just because they asked, while you didn’t. It could be an extra $10,000 or even $20,000 that they received simply for knowing to ask for it. How frustrating would it be to find out later that you missed out on that opportunity?

Conclusion: Always Ask for the Bonus

The key takeaway is this: always ask. A sign-on bonus might not be explicitly offered, but it’s something you can absolutely negotiate for in your package. Even if the employer says no, you’ve demonstrated initiative, and who knows? They might be more flexible in other areas of compensation as a result of your request.