Know what you are worth

You can almost guarantee that the person negotiating the terms of employment on behalf of the company knows your value. When you begin negotiations, you should also know how much your work is worth. Using internet resources, do research on the salary and compensation ranges for comparable jobs in the area. Be sure to use sources that account for differences in cost of living between cities.

Glean information during interviews and from your network of sources that indicates the relative value of the position in the company. Are you applying to be a CFO or an entry-level accountant? 

Set a clear goal

Studies on negotiation consistently show that people who set clear and aggressive goals achieve more favorable settlements than those who aim low or do not set goals at all. If you want a salary of eighty grand and a total package worth 100 grand, shoot for it by throwing out an anchor worth more than 100 grand.

Set a walk-away price

You know your own financial goals, responsibilities and liabilities. If you cannot take anything under seventy grand and still make sense of accepting the position, do not pretend that you can. Your walk-away price depends not only on your financial needs, but also on the attractiveness of your alternatives to accepting the offered position. If you are currently making sixty grand and there are no other offers finding you, settling at sixty-eight grand might not be a bad idea. If, on the other hand, you have been offered a position for seventy-five grand and a generous benefit package, sixty-eight grand seems less reasonable.

	Know your worth.
	Use fairness.
	Identify your interest.
	Compete and cooperate.