Before bargaining, you must know what you are doing. Have you ever tried to know your worth? You should do that first before negotiating your salary.
If you want to be a good negotiator, you must know what should be a good salary deal. For this you have to research your market value. Have a chat with professionals in similar fields about salaries and perks for those of who are of your caliber so that you yourself can judge how you are faring.
Contact jobseekers
Better indentify people who are in the same position as you are in or you want to be in. Then contact them and find out their compensation packages. Or speak to other job seekers on line and feel their pulse. You can as well attend professional association meetings or trade shows to compare notes on duties, responsibilities etc.
Look for opportunities for job seekers with your skill set in the same company or other companies, other sectors and even other industries and sound people who matter there.
During net enquiries, don't ask people directly what they make and you may not get a straight answer. You can ask them whether a particular range sounds okay for this kind of a job in this kind of industry. You may be lucky to get a reasonably good answer. You can ask them where there are working and whether there any openings for people with your skill set and things like that. Just tally their comments and the salary information you have gathered already and you may form a fair idea of how you should approach your salary offer.
Many companies have salary structures. Every company has a range for a specific job. If you have a figure in your mind and it is in the realistic range, you should be able to negotiate for a stronger position both professionally and financially.
Salary negotiating rules
While negotiating salary, don't be greedy. Work for a win-win agreement with a new employer. That way you can develop good relations.
When an employer asks for your salary aspirations, indicate your willingness to negotiate. If you are asked what your present salary is, tell them you will discuss it at the interview.
Don't raise the salary issue on your own in an interview. Wait till the interviewer brings up the subject.
Focus on the strengths you are bringing to the company. You are negotiating on your abilities and accomplishments.
Keep it in mind that salary is always negotiable.
Don't accept an offer at the interview. Express your strong desire to work with them and tell them that you evaluate important decisions carefully. Find out when you could inform them about your decision.
Benefits and salary are two separate issues. So discuss them separately. Your list of benefits may include insurance, tuition reimbursement, relocation allowance, stock options, bonuses and outplacement upon termination.
