General Tips for Negotiating Salary

• Talk about the extraordinary skills or past work experiences that you can offer the company.
   
• Approach salary negotiation as a win-win scenario. Discuss what you are hoping for instead of what you expect and always inform the employer of the skills that you will bring to the organization.
   
• Always maintain a professional image during salary negotiations. Don't forget that you will be working with or for these individuals in the future. A professional attitude reinforces the skills you bring with you to the job.
   
• Never bring your personal financial needs into the discussion. Having to pay student loans or purchasing a new car are not valid reasons for an employer to increase your salary.
   
• Understand that you may have to walk away from negotiations without getting everything you desire. This is a give-and-take situation and you may interact with some companies that are not willing or able to negotiate certain terms of an offer.
   
• Once you and the company have come to a conclusion on a final offer, put this in writing and mail to the employer for confirmation. Alternatively, ask the company to send confirmation on their letterhead.
   
• The best time to negotiate is between the "We must have you" stage and the "We got you" stage.