Perks and Parachutes: Negotiating Your Best Possible Employment Deal, from Salary and Bonus to Benefits and Protection [Hardcover]

Paul Fargis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 1997

Based on hundreds of interviews with executive recruiters, lawyers, and compsensation experts, this classic guide to artfully negotiatingthe best employeme nt deal not only explains what to do, but offers a virtual do-it-yourself kit of negotiating scripts, innovative approaches, and scores of sample clauses. 320 pp. National publicity. National radio ads. 25,000 print.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

About 10 years ago, Tarrant wrote what has come to be a standard guide for negotiating employment contracts. Reflecting a decade of changes in the workplace, this revised and updated version considers new kinds of benefit packages (and even the concept of what constitutes a benefit), downsizing and the use of outplacement companies, the spread of the contract concept, and the growing need for nondisclosure agreements in highly competitive industries. Tarrant explains that employment contracts are no longer restricted to top executives and celebrities, and he tells what a typical contract includes, how to request that a contract be offered or--oppositely--how to handle an employer's request to sign a contract, and how best to negotiate a favorable contract. He outlines the various provisions for termination and also discusses the pros and cons of using a contract to define one's job and of specifying a duration for which a contract should run. His book will help employees at all levels and employers of all sizes. David Rouse

Product Details

• Hardcover: 338 pages
• Publisher: Crown Business (January 7, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812926773
• ISBN-13: 978-0812926774
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,772 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, clear & helpful for candidates. Somewhat dated., September 24, 1998

By 

(Chet Baker)[e-mail] (Evergreen, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Perks and Parachutes: Negotiating Your Best Possible Employment Deal, from Salary and Bonus to Benefits and Protection (Hardcover)

This is a good clear overall glimpse of the battleground of executive compensation strategies and guidlines. For most executives looking for some strategies, this will be helpful reading. For the CEO/Pres candidate or company looking to construct an complex package this helps but falls slightly short of being able to put the most cutting edge deal together. I recommend this book. It seems to be the best all around one available. It must, however, be augmented with executive compensation trend reports from consulting groups. Required for the library of anyone dealing daily within the business of HR or recruiting. A must for the executive candidate looking to negotiate his own package.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding! Invaluable for negotiating contracts!, December 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Perks and Parachutes: Negotiating Your Best Possible Employment Deal, from Salary and Bonus to Benefits and Protection (Hardcover)

Of several books I've purchased on the subject, this is by far the best for executives or superstars negotiating contracts with options, bonuses, etc. The author is engaging and very informative, and topics are presented from the employee's perspective.

The book discusses typical contracts (as if any of these deals are "typical") and how to initiate negotiations, followed by chapters detailing each area of the contract - complete with pro's and con's for options in each subject.

Many real-world examples are presented, covering agreements between numerous named parties. Several full-text contracts are also included, and many more are dissected to illustrate key points. (Eisner's mega-deal with Disney is an excellent reference on the subject, and as such it's covered here appropriately.)

Despite being a 1997 edition, the content is very valuable. Position on options and other market-based compensation seem a little dated, but are probably still accurate. An accompanying website would also be nice to facilitate re-use of the contract texts presented.

Overall, this book is easily worth the money and the read!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent guide to negotiating, August 1, 2000

By 

Wayne D. Ford (Lincoln, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Perks and Parachutes: Negotiating Your Best Possible Employment Deal, from Salary and Bonus to Benefits and Protection (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book. The author has done a great job in pulling together the elements which spell success in the quest for employment. I recommend it.

Wayne D. Ford, Ph.D., author of "The Accelerated Job Search" [e-mail]