Talking about money and conditions and generally negotiating your salary for a new job may make you feel uncomfortable. You are not alone. Especially when you feel so happy that a job seems so imminent! Some see negotiating the terms of a new job as discourteous, but negotiating terms in a pragmatic way can bring about more benefits and opportunities and affects your entry 
level into the company. In fact, in some jobs not pushing for better money may stop you getting the job. I once went for a sales job which had a £A – £B window in the advert. I asked for close to the top and outlined that I brought some extra things to the table that would benefit the company but needed to catch up in one other area. I later found out that I got the job at that point as the boss said, very reasonably, “If you can’t sell yourself, you can’t sell my company, my products or my services.”
1. Research
Before you begin to negotiate the terms of employment do some research first. Find out what the average pay is depending on industry and location – and for your experience and qualifications. If the pay offer comes in at average for the industry and the place, there is little chance that you can negotiate any more. Unless you bring something else to the table.
2. Be polite
In a competitive job market it is essential to be courteous and polite when negotiating the terms of a new job. Provide valid arguments and show that you have done research to explain why you think you should be paid more than they are offering you. Avoid sounding entitled or rude or arrogant when asking for more money -you will fail the liveability test.
3. Not just money
Although money will probably be your priority when negotiating the terms of employment, also consider other benefits such as number of holiday days and expenses. When salary is difficult to increase, consider asking for more other perks to compromise. Also, getting your foot in the door gives you an opportunity to shine within the company – it is your first job with them – not necessarily your last.
4. Get the timing right
Some employers may discuss your employment terms early on in the process of selection, while others may wait until much later. Getting the timing right of when to try and negotiate is important – too early and you’ll seem rude, too late and you’ll miss your chance. Best advice is smell the room and let them lead on this. Wait until they start talking in the future tense about you, in other words when they have finished excluding people and are now choosing between the final candidates.
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