I’ve been wanting to write this particular series for a while now. It’s something that I have some experience with and have found that I do it pretty well. There are many things to think about as you are negotiating a possible job with a church and the package that comes with it. I’ll be putting up a new post every two days and will go until it stops. As a teaser here’s some areas that you need to think about. Most people don’t discuss all of these different issues (and there are others too) and end up getting to a church and realizing that expectations both ways are not what they anticipated. If you have any other ideas to add to this series throw them in the comment section and I’ll post about them.
Salary
Hours
Medical
Benefits
Retirement
Vacation
Comp time
Conference
Books
Technology
School
Study Leave
Internships
Budgets
Housing
Cell Phone
Office Hours
Accountable too
Availability of leadership
Nights out
Other Meetings
Series: Finding a job and negotiating with a church.
Part 2: Approaching the church. Tips to get your resume read.
Part 3: Tips for Interviewing. What interviews to be prepared for.
Part 4: Negotiation 101. All the things you should consider.
Great idea Lars! While I’m a few years away from doing this again (hopefully), it’s something I’m interested in and knowing you’re putting this together, I’ll steer anyone I know this way who is going through this or getting ready too.
The biggest thing I think looking back on my first negotiation of a call & others with their first is the confidence factor. Everyone is so excited to be wanted, to know they won’t have to starve, that often most of the areas you’re going to talk through get overlooked. If there was one thing I could tell someone beginning is that if you’ve been extended a call, it’s ok to negotiate everything, to clear up everything, to ask every question. You’ll never again be in that position and it’s harder to get something added once you’ve been there awhile than when you first begin.
totally agree! Great post!!
I always ask how their HR committee is set up. I was at one church that had 2 people on the committee!!! 2!!! disaster…
and I agree with Don…it’s totally good to ask every single question. It’s a one shot deal.
Interested to hear your take on this. Will be coming back to read more.
If I can say one thing to everyone looking for a job I would say don’t be to eager. To often negotiation never happens because once people get offered a job they want to “get it done” immediately. I say slow down. Ask the right questions. Ask other people that you know what their package looks like.
Good thoughts Don and Kristie.