3 Salary Negotiation Tips

You'd haggle for a car. Why wouldn't you put up a bit of resistance when someone is trying to put a price tag on your skill set? What is the first step to setting salary expectations. Does the job description mention compensation when you applied? If the job ad states a number that is too low, don't even waste your time to apply. The company is unlikely to budge.

No one is desperate to be underpaid. You may be out of work for weeks. Bills may be piling up but you don't want to be unwise and accept a job that gives you negative cash flow. How does a negative cash flow happen? Are you expected to work after hours? Will you be paid overtime? How much gas money does it cost you to commute? What will your professional wardrobe cost? What is the mandatory dress code?

Are there office supplies and tech tools that you must provide for yourself? You may read in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal that more employers are co-opting the private gadgets (i.e. iPads, Android Tablets, smartphones) for mandatory company use instead of providing work phones.

These are all costs of accepting the job. Weigh these and do not just look at base salary. Is there commission? What medical and dental benefits are offered? Will the insurance cover your spouse and children? What is the premium? What are the co-pays?

Think of a compensation package rather than merely salary when negotiating pay.

What do salary comparison calculators such as Salary.com say about the market rate for the job title? Remember where you live and work may be different than the national average. Salary also depends on the size of the company and its market share. For instance, is the firm in the top 10 in its field? Find out financial information on the company by visiting Yahoo Finance or Google Finance. You'll see their latest business moves and be able to anticipate if they have a solid future.

Does the manager add and add to the list of expected duties? If so, he or she may be trying to get you to work two or three jobs for the price of one. Set boundaries. Ask for clarification of job duties. Do not accept responsibilities outside your area of expertise or exceeding your training for liability or physical safety issues. For instance, if you are not licensed to oversee an area of legal work do not accept the assignment. If you are not trained to perform electrical or mechanical repairs, do not assume you must do this additional task. If you are uncertain what are your rights as a worker, check out OSHA and other occupational health and safety sites. Also teach yourself ergonomic habits to keep yourself safe in any work setting. Another source is the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Recognize the salary range based on years of experience. Assess yourself. Where would you be on the distribution curve? If you know where you stand you will be in strong position when speaking with the manager. Compare your skill set to job openings with compensation listed. Go to Simplyhired, Monster, Careerbuilder, Linkedin and Indeed to read job descriptions and salary range offered by employers. Read the Occupational Outlook Handbook that is available online to see what are the hot jobs in the next two years. Can you get additional training or certification? What accomplishments can you state that show promise of future success?