A contract of employment should include the following:

• Full name and address of company
• Name of employee
• Job title
• Date of commencement of employment
• Remuneration
• Pay interval - weekly/monthly
• Hours of work
• Overtime
• Holiday entitlement
• Pay arrangements during sick leave
• Period of notice required on either side
• Disciplinary procedures
• Grievance procedures
• Pension scheme - if applicable
• Details of other benefits e.g. bonus/commission system, company car, health care, relocation package etc.

NEGOTIATING THE OFFER

1. Establish fully in your own mind the minimum salary/package you would be willing to accept and why.
2. Be able to define clearly any changes in terms or conditions.
3. Negotiate initially by a phone-call to arrange a meeting-clearly stating that the offer is of interest but you would welcome the opportunity to discuss it in detail. (Negotiating an offer is likely to be far more successful if done on a face-to-face basis).
4. If the negotiating is related to the salary - state your case and give a firm figure which is the one you would accept. Possible suggestion is to ask for a review - performance related after three months and this will leave no doubt as to the confidence felt in tackling the job.
5. Is the offer: . Less than last/present package?
   • In-line with career progression?
   • Less than offered to you by a competitor for a similar position?
   • In a higher cost housing area?

If application is via an agency, use the agency to negotiate - they employ their skills to negotiate on your behalf and also they may have prior knowledge of the position, i.e. any other suitable candidates already interviewed, urgency of filling the position and salary scales/bands within the company.