The idea of someone else negotiating your compensation package sounds enticing - you can list what you want and ask someone else to do the "dirty" work.  Recruiters, attorneys, friends, bosses - the opportunities are endless.  You can find someone else to do your dirty work.

But here's the problem: IT ISN'T DIRTY WORK.

If you can get over the hump of feeling like negotiating a compensation offer is like eating raw liver and onions 7 days a week, or get that pit out of your stomach, then you will realize how critical it is for YOU to negotiate your own package.

Think of negotiating like eating something sweet.  Better yet, think of negotiating as the foundation of a long-term relationship with an employer - the start of a beautiful relationship together.  The negotiation is the proposal - the ring on the finger.  If you want the marriage to be long and prosperous, you need to be involved in the process.

This sounds simple.  Right?  You told someone what you wanted.  You listed your requests.  You told your representative you wanted $10k more in base, a bigger bonus and stock options.  Simple.

NO IT IS NOT SIMPLE.

You have no idea - zero, zilch, nada - how the information is being presented.  You have no idea how you are being presented - positively or negatively.  Your representative may employ tactics that you don't agree with, to get you what you think you want.  You have no idea the give and take being discussed.

More importantly, you have no idea what other alternatives might come to light or what other "options" might be presented.   Plus, your representatives have their own interests to manage.  These people want to look good.  And, if necessary, he or she might sacrifice you so they can look good.  Even in the simplest way - "look, I am not sure why so and so wants this but they do.." or "it isn't what I would ask for" or, "this person will not take the job without receiving this".

Say what?  It becomes an open and shut case if you let someone else negotiate for you.  You limit your options.  You may not come across positively.

Yup.  If you let someone else negotiate for you, you will absolutely, positively, 100% miss compensation opportunities.  The opportunities could be in the form of guaranteed bonuses, stock options, vacation, benefits, buy-outs of current compensation plans, severance agreements, relocation, etc.  You have no idea what could possibly be negotiated if you aren't present, asking open-ended questions and learning, learning, learning.

There is more to compensation than just base salary.  And if you aren't present, you  aren't aware of all the different types of compensation elements that could be on the table.

3.  MOST IMPORTANTLY - You are missing an important opportunity to develop a solid, long-term relationship with your new employer

Guess what?  The new hire offer, or your employment offer, is just the first of many, many, many compensation discussions you will have.  This is a critical opportunity for establishing the grounds for a long-term, productive working relationship.  There will be another compensation discussion a year from now.  And a year later.  It is not like buying a car.  You don't walk away and never see that person again - or at least for years to come.  This is a RELATIONSHIP.  You will be working with these people everyday.  You will see them everyday.  You will want more from them than just compensation once you get started working.  And they will want more from you.  

Plus, you want to be seen as a leader - someone who can handle all types of issues, right?  If you can't negotiate your own offer - or at least be part of the process - how will your employer know if you can handle other issues?  They won't take your word for it.  You will need to SHOW them.  And, it will take longer and longer to prove yourself.

Start off on the right foot.  Be part of the process.  Don't let this critical career opportunity go unchecked.