Career Advice: Tips For Negotiating Job Offers

Advice On How To Ask Potential Employers to Show You The Money

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm currently interviewing for new jobs and am confused as to how I can get the salary that I want. I really can't accept under a certain salary, but I have a difficult time telling my potential employers what I need. Do you have any advice for how I can negotiate a job offer?

Sincerely,

Show Me the Money

A:

Dear Show me the Money,

You definitely shouldn't take a job for a salary that is less than what you require. However, I know it can be difficult to tell the employers you're interviewing with exactly what you need for a salary and benefits. Hopefully my tips will help give you the upper hand.

Tips for negotiating a job offer:

1. Figure out what you want now and what you want in the next five years in terms of your career. If you can see where you want to go, you'll be better ale to negotiate what is right for you now in terms of a job. A job in retail may not be a great long term goal for you, but if you want to run a corporation, knowing what it's like to work the sales floor may be valuable in the big picture.

2. Don't beat around the bush. Be clear about what you want. Tell your boss what your goals are and what you'd like.

3. Listen. Having been clear about what you want, listen to your employer's needs, expectations, and limits. These two steps are part of excellent communication skills.

4. Stick to your limits. If you can't take a job for less than a certain amount of money, then don't. If you need a certain amount of salary or income to make ends meet, make sure that that is a priority otherwise you'll have stress in your personal life that will affect your job negatively.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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