Six perks you should negotiate when accepting a job offer

Your salary is certainly important but it isn't the only thing you should consider when negotiating your job offer.

In fact, sometimes the benefits you can build into your employment contract can have more value than the monetary amount of your paycheck.

Employers often have more flexibility with the perks they can provide versus the salary they can shell out—but, even if you're being offered an extraordinary amount of money in relation to your job title, there are still some perks you really don't want to miss out on when negotiating your offer.

1. Unlimited/extra vacation time

Two weeks might be the standard, but it doesn't have to be. With so many businesses already embracing the modern movement toward a better work-life balance, adding an extra week or two to your total vacation time shouldn't be out the question.

Some employers are even willing to provide unlimited vacation time as long as you're getting all of your work done. While unlimited time off is typically a company-wide perk and not something that is frequently negotiated into an individual job offer—if the salary being offered is seriously insufficient—shoot for the stars.

2. Working remote/telecommuting

The benefits of being able to work from home cannot be overstated, and you should definitely consider negotiating for the ability to work remote. The amount of time and money you can save by not having to travel to and from the office every day can be substantial, and that means you get to keep more of your paycheck in your pocket.

3. Flex time

Another popular perk worth negotiating in your job offer is the ability to have a flexible work schedule—aka, flex time. You could ask for anything from half days every other day to a compressed work week with every Friday off—even excluding a set schedule altogether is doable. Regardless, from avoiding the stress of morning rush hour to being able to pick your child up from school at 3 p.m., having flexible office hours is a perfect way to pad your total benefits package.

4. Continuing education/professional development

What's better than a big paycheck? A bigger one. And, a great way to ensure your future earning potential grows exponentially is to continue your education. Whether it be for a master's degree, a course to learn a second language, or a professional certification required for advancement within your field of work, having an employer essentially pay for your ability to command a higher salary is an incentive that shouldn't be overlooked when negotiating your total compensation for employment.

5. Bonuses/stock options

Whether it was through business classes in college or just something you learned about along the way, as a professional you're probably familiar with the oft-discussed concept of money now versus money later.

While we could spend an eternity debating which is better in order to help guide you in your negotiations, consider this alternative instead. If you're able to successfully secure the inclusion of annual bonuses and/or stock options on top of your salary in your employment contract, you can have money now and later.

6. Cell phone, computer, corner office, etc.

Sometimes the "little" things are the easiest to get, and yet, the most often forgotten when the time comes to negotiate. Seemingly small perks like a comfortable corner office, a new laptop, or a reserved parking space right outside the front door can have a huge impact on your quality of life while at work.

As with all negotiations, you need to come to the table prepared. Know your value, and make sure you're compensated accordingly. Employers expect you to counter their initial offer, and if you haven't done your homework, you could miss out on some serious money and major benefits. At the end of the day, it's important to be flexible during this process, but also firm when it comes to your bottom line.