Before the job offer, expect a ‘pre-offer’; Sick of recession?

Before you get the job offer, expect a ‘pre-offer’

THE PRE-OFFER: Before you see that job offer in writing, you may have to negotiate — after you get the “pre-offer,” that is.

More companies are asking candidates what salary, benefits, vacation time and other compensation they would be willing to accept before they put an actual offer on the table, says Gary Bergmann, senior consultant for Boston-based outplacement firm ClearRock.

“There are so many qualified people looking for work that employers can ask this of job seekers,” Bergmann said.

Though there isn’t an official offer to accept or reject, the same strategies and tactics should be put into play during the pre-negotiating stage. ClearRock offers these tips for getting the compensation package you think you deserve:

— Do your homework ahead of time and learn what the fair market value is for the role you have been offered. Check out Web sites such as Salary.com, GlassDoor.com and JobNob.com for comparable salary ranges.

— Ask for a few days to review the details to make a good business decision. Evaluate the offer against your personal criteria and other offers you may already have received.

— Do not accept an offer on the spot, even if it’s beyond your expectations.

— Be prepared to walk away from an offer, which will convey that you mean business and give you additional influence in securing the best deal.

— Never bluff about having another offer if you don’t.

— Use the word “need” during negotiations, rather than “want” to underscore what it will take to land you the desired compensation.

MEASLES, MUMPS, RECESSION: The lousy economy is literally making small business owners sick, according to one management consulting firm.

A random telephone survey of 713 small U.S. business owners found that more than half have experienced negative health effects, both physically and mentally, since the economic recession began. Meanwhile, 27 percent do not have the financial resources to weather the next quarter, according to the study done by Park Ridge, Ill.-based George S. May International.

About 80 percent of the respondents said their company may not survive unless economic conditions improve within nine months, while 16 percent gave a limit of three months and 4 percent, six months.

The survey also found that 41 percent of small business owners said they didn’t taken a salary in 2009 in order to stay in business, while 20 percent had to pull money from their personal 401(k) accounts. About 80 percent said they reduced the number of employees at their company.

The survey, conducted between Jan. 25 and Jan. 27, was of randomly selected businesses across all industries with revenues between $750,000 and $100 million and more than 10 employees.