Negotiating the Best Salary

"What are your salary expectations?"

This is commonly one of the first questions you're asked when interviewing for a new job. Employers want to get this question out in the open:

·       They need a sense if you're willing to work at or below the top of their pay scale for the job

·       They are asking you to negotiate when you have the least negotiating leverage

Job hunters are often at a loss (figuratively and literally) trying to both get the job and obtain the highest possible compensation. Here's how to do it:

1.       Be responsive, but don't commit early on

2.     Find objective data to justify your request

3.     Figure out your Zone of Possible Agreement

4.     Talk about creating fairness and finding common ground

For details on these approaches, see the complete article here.