Let's Talk Salary

Your interview was great and you've had many productive conversations with your future employer. You shake hands with a cordial "Yes" to the job offer. Now comes the slightly awkward part where you enter salary negotiations and talk about money. Don't worry, these back-and-forth talks don't have to be uncomfortable. When entering the numbers game, examine these practical tips for how much money you plan to make in the next year.

1. Prepare Yourself With Numbers

Before salary negotiations start, prepare with some numbers of your own. Research similar positions and know the average salary for people who have the same job as you. Take into account the local cost of living, because the same job in San Francisco, Seattle or New York probably pays differently compared to Kansas City, Dallas or New Orleans.

Determine the highest and lowest salaries from similar positions. To reach a high point and low point, look on Glassdoor.com, Payscale.com and Salary.com to see as many competitive salaries as possible. Your acceptable salary should fall somewhere in between these two numbers.

Do your own personal math and figure out how much money you need to live comfortably. Keep your "walk away" point in mind before you talk about money. This is the lowest figure you would accept from the employer during salary negotiations. If your employer doesn't want to go any higher than your lowest acceptable salary, don't be afraid to decline the offer and look for other opportunities.

2. Let Your Employer Bring Up Money First

Salary negotiations begin when your employer brings up the subject. Recognize that a company may bring up money at any time and not just after you receive an offer. That's why you need to know your numbers before you go through a lengthy application process.

3. Negotiate Other Things

Salary negotiations don't have to be just about money. If your employer does not want to wiggle on a base salary, consider bringing up performance bonuses and commissions. When you want a better work-life balance, talk about a flexible work schedule or telecommuting. Professional development opportunities are another way to earn a benefit beyond just money. If you learn a new skill through professional training, you could earn a promotion or leverage that skill into a higher-paying job at another company. There are plenty of items to settle with your employer that are not necessarily cash in your bank account.

4. Prove Your Worth

Show your employer reasons to give you more money by proving your skills, assets and experience. Highlight how your unique skill set fits perfectly into the role offered by the company. To accomplish this feat, every aspect of your candidacy must be in top form. This means your cover letter, resume, references and interviews have to be nearly perfect.

Most importantly, relax. Everyone goes through conversations about money at some point during the interview process, so both sides expect it. When you prepare with solid numbers, you have a better chance of getting what you want during salary negotiations.

Photo courtesy of Pictures of Money at Flickr.com