Negotiating a Salary

Do: conduct thorough research. Without doing your research, you may learn that your range is entirely off. Consider the following factors: your unique skill set, your level of experience, the current climate in the job market, the job responsibilities. Don't: give just one number. When you answer this question, be sure to provide a salary range where you would be comfortable accepting. It's unlikely that an employer can give you the exact number you asked for. So providing a range opens up the room to negotiate. Do: prepare to explain your answer. It's important that you can articulate why you feel you deserve that salary. If you're not able to prove your value in the market, an employer may not consider the salary you're asking for. Don't lie. While you may want to please the hiring manager, be honest about what you feel you deserve. If you give a lower number than you're actually comfortable with, you may be wasting your time going further in the interview process.