Ok so I’ve been waffling on this post for a while now because as some of you know I’m in the midst of a hiring process to bring on a new High school Director and two new class leads. As I started this series I was in the midst of thinking through how to make the interview process better by giving out some tips to potential candidates. But this post is different because this is the one that I know is going to come back to bit me as I give advice to people who will then use it against me to negotiate if I offer them positions.
Of course I’ve let my words get me into trouble before so I think I’m going to still put this up and just feel good that I provided ammo for people.
Negotiation 101
Negotiating is a funny thing. Some people have the skill to do it and others have no skills at all. If you have the skill then looking through the topics listed below are probably second nature to you. If you don’t have the skill this might seem like a daunting task. You need to remember that the people on the other end of the negations have probably done this many times and they are ok with you asking all the questions you are going to ask. I personally like to tell candidates that there are some things we can’t do but others we may find some room to wiggle and that this is their time to ask about everything and I won’t be offended by anything they ask about.
Let’s talk first about what “negotiation” is. Usually people seem to get really hung up thinking that negotiatons are all about money. Money is involved in the process but there are so many more things you need to be talking about during this phase of the interview/job offer.
Here’s a quick list that I put together that has all the things I think you should consider when you are negotiating: My advice is to think about these things and figure out for you where you would like things to end up and start negotiating from there.
Caution: I usually tell people to be cautious in all of this. You may have only one thing that you are thinking about and that is the bottom line salary number. But, if the church is only able to give you a certain salary they may be able to compensate you more in other areas such as paying for school or providing extra vacation time for you to go speak at conferences or camps. Be aware that there are many different forms of compensation.
Salary: Pretty simple how much is it right? Wrong. You may have a salary package that includes a “housing allowance” that is untaxable income. So your salary might seem lower but actually be more than you think since you dropped out of a hiring income bracket. A question to ask here too is what the schedule is for raises and bonusus and if there would ever be a chance of adding extra responsibilities for additonal pay.
Hours: Some churches have unwritten rules about hours. I’ve been at churches where 50 was the norm and one day off. That’s not healthy. Ask about expectations.
Medical: Who do they cover? Just you? Wife? Family? What if you have more kids? Deductables? Vision? Dental? Ask questions about all of it. Usually not negotiable but if you have needs mention them.
Benefits: How do they handle retirement? Do they have a matching plan? When are you vested? (Meaning how long does it take working there for you to get all the money they have invested for you. Sounds weird but your financial people will know. I’ve heard of people losing their jobs right before they were vested)
Vacation: This is both the (how may weeks do they give you) and (when can you use them) Summer is hard as a youth pastor to take vacation time, maybe your church has a policy that you have to be there over Christmas. What about Spring Break missions trips. It’s increasingly difficult to take vacation if you have kids that are in school but have ministry expectations during holidays. You should also ask about if your vacation time rolls over. Meaning if you don’t use it one year can you use it the next.
Comp time: You just got back from a 4 day trip with Junior Highers can you take a day off afterwards and have it not count as vacation or personal time? Or what about a two week trip during the summer can you take a few days off after it? Can comp time be accrued or do you have to use it right away.
Conference: Both can you go and not use vacation time and what money is available to pay for you to go.
Books: Do you have a budget to buy things to read to help you increase your skills, grow in your faith or keep up on what the students are reading?
Technology: Youth Pastors need to be mobile. If you are meeting students in a coffee shop after school you should have a laptop so you can sit there and work before and or after. That 5 year old PC laptop the church wants you to use is probably a piece of junk. Ask for what you need. Do you want to edit movies and manipulate photos? You should also ask about cameras both video and still. Chances are they already have them but if they don’t or you have a particular one you are comfortable with you should ask.
School: If you don’t have an advanced ministry degree/seminary you should be working towards something. You should try to take at least a couple classes a year. You want the church to help you pay for it since they benefit and you want them to let you go take classes without using vacation or personal days. There are many forms of school maybe it’s taking communication classes or speaking help, maybe it’s getting coaching. Seminary is great but there are many other forms of school that will benefit you and the church.
Study Leave: You will need to leave and study. Enough said. If you aren’t spending enough time with the Lord and having opportunities for growth you won’t be very useful to us in the long run.
Internships: Will you have any additional staff to work with. Is there money for you to hire interns or other positions to help you.
Budgets: You should see them, know them, own them and be aware what they cover. If you have dreams you can negotiate those during this time. I once negotiated an entire outdoor recreation program that I was passionate about starting before I went to that church.
Housing: If you have kids and do youth ministry you need to live in the school district where your youth minsitry kids live. If the church doesn’t agree with that then they don’t understand youth minsitry. Negotiate help in housing if you need it. This is easier at a church that can license/ordain you. If not at least ask the question and see if they can help.
Moving Costs: You should ask about them and get the church to help you. Do some homework and have a reasonable plan. Hiring the movers who pack everything and unpack it at your new house is probably more expensive than a church is willing to pay but if you are moving for a job you need to negotiate here.
Cell Phone: My bias on this one. Being a youth pastor means that people will need to have access to you. Churches should pay you for that access and should pay your cell phone bill.
Office Hours: How much are you expected to be in the office. Do you do your best work in other places? What if you’re out with kids. How much do they need/want to see you?
Accountable too: Who will you regularly meet with and how often? Ask tough questions here. Figuring out the accountability process is a good thing because it protects you.
Availability of leadership: How much accesibility will you have to the senior staff? Ask this questions especially if you think you may want to be in a senior level position some day. Getting face time with senior pastors is valuable.
Nights out: Ask about what the expectations are for you to be out. This includes both youth ministry stuff as well as other meetings, retreats, camps, trips.
Transportation/Mileage: This one gets overlooked a lot. If you are driving your personal car on a ton of youth ministry events or even just around town how are you compensated for it? What about gas?
Family Stuff: I worked at a church that committed to send my wife and I on a marriage retreat every year. That was great. I’m currently at a church that has a childcare option for people who work there with a greatly reduced rate. You should ask about scholarships if your church has any on campus schools.
As usual if you have anything to add throw it in the comment section of this post and I’d love to respond.
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.
