When negotiating a salary with potential employers, be sure to keep the following advice in mind.

1.    Adopt a positive tone.

2.    Do not come across as demanding or whining.

3.    Do not mention how another company is willing to pay you more, or how much more a previous employer paid you.

4.    Be open-minded.

5.    Show that you are flexible and willing to negotiate. Do not draw a line in the sand. Do not state “my minimum requirement is…”  That can be a turn-off.

6.    Be knowledgeable about what the market commands. Do not overprice or under-price yourself.

7.    Do not sound desperate. Do not state that you will take anything the company is willing to offer.

8.    Be patient. Do not call the employer several times asking if they have made a decision.

9.    Once you have received an offer, sit on it for a day or two to think it over. If the employer desperately wants to hire you, they might even increase the offer! But do not waffle or sit on the offer for too long, as you might lose the opportunity!

10.    If you already have a job and are asking your boss for a raise, be prepared for a “no”. When you meet with him, state your case and why you think you deserve a raise. Do not be emotional or whiney. Do not demand an immediate answer.