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There are several steps on the path of getting a new job. First, you will need to have an eye catching cover letter and resume. This will allow human resources personnel to gauge your worth on paper and determine if you should come in for a face-to-face interview. Once you are granted an interview, you need to be fully prepared to market yourself and impress the hiring manager. If you have gotten that far in the hiring process then you are well on your way to getting that new job you so desire. The next step is awaiting an offer of employment. If you receive that, then you are faced with a decision.

If you receive an offer of employment you know the company has already invested time and energy into you and truly believe you are the best candidate for the job. Most likely you will receive an offer that includes a proposed salary and benefits package. You can accept this, decline this or negotiate it. Remember when you are in a position to have already received an offer, you have some leverage. Everything is negotiable, so be prepared to ask for what it is you want. You may feel uncomfortable doing this but it does not hurt to ask. But, there are proper ways to go about negotiating effectively.

Research your Options

Before embarking on negotiating your salary and benefits you will need to conduct some research. First, you need to have a clear understanding of what exactly you want as compensation for your job. You will also need to be realistic about your value to the company. Are there other candidates for the position who will be just as suitable or do you offer a unique niche that is worth a little more? Do you have the expertise to back up your requests? How desperate are you to get a job? These questions should be carefully considered before coming up with your list of desired results.

Next, you will have to have an idea of the industry standards that prevail in the current economic climate. Is your particular field saturated or in high demand? Is the overall economy of the country sound or faltering? What is the current unemployment rate for professionals in your industry? These questions will help you research the potential earnings and benefits that are standard to your field in your location. You can conduct some salary comparisons by searching out comparable jobs and getting a high, median and low range for base compensation.

Finally, you need to have some idea of the particular company’s financial and business positioning. What is the published salary range for your position? Is the company financially sound? What benefits does the company currently offer? How long have they been in business? How desperate are they to fill your particular position? Answers to these questions will allow you to know the parameters from which you can negotiate. You need to be realistic about your opportunities for negotiation and to that you need to know what may or may not be available to you.

Communicate and Negotiate

After you have done some initial fact finding, it is time to start the actual negotiation process by discussing your needs with the hiring manager. You will need to be polite and flexible. The odds are you are not going to get everything you ideally want. However, with some flexibility you may be able to trade certain perks as opposed to getting more money or increase your base salary in lieu of benefits. The negotiation process is a give and take between the employer and employee. Just remember that they would not have offered the position to you if they did not want you.

Clearly outline the details of what you are asking for. Then, be prepared for a counteroffer. The employer may suggest alternatives as opposed to simply declining requests. However, if a particular area you want is declined, be prepared to offer an alternative yourself. For example, if you want $50,000 per year in salary but the company is only willing to offer you $45,000, suggest that the salary is acceptable if they can pick up the full expense of your health care benefits. Discuss everything fully and make sure when you are finished that you are both in agreement to the terms of your employment.

Conclude on a Positive Note

Remember that you should not be adversarial in your approach to negotiation. The employer should feel they are getting a valuable employee at a fair deal. You should feel you are getting compensated fairly for your expertise. This should be a win/win prospect and both employer and employee should leave the table feeling good about the outcome. Express your gratitude to the hiring manager for taking the time to discuss the issue with you and for the opportunity that was granted you. Furthermore, convey your excitement at the prospect of joining the team and leave the employer certain that the correct choice was made.