Salary negotiations - part of the process
When salary negotiations are part of the recruitment process, one should keep in mind that the recruiter has several candidates to choose from and that salary expectations could be an important parameter when comparing them. An excessive demand could hurt your chances to get the job, especially in a job market with high unemployment rates.
It is very important to reach the negotiations calm and prepared, this could make the difference between getting the job or not.
First, we recommend you familiarise yourself with the average salary for the occupation in question in the specific industry. Your expected salary should be in the same range as the average salary for that position.
It is very important to be aware to the supply and demand for this position in the job market. If you know that there is a shortage in sales people, for instance, you could ask at least 10% more than the average salary for such a position. On the other hand, if there's a surplus of candidates for a certain position, asking for anything above the average could be very risky.
Remember:
When you negotiate for your salary it is important to ask for a reasonable salary, so you'd be able to present the request with confidence and assertiveness. A candidate demanding an unrealistic salary might find himself having a hard time justifying his demands.
To sum things up, negotiate fairly, know your self worth but don't forget to be aware of the market status.