Yet most of us are not comfortable negotiating our salaries even though negotiation has become a common part of today's business. It is important to feel confident in this part of the hiring process. The employer expects some type of negotiation, and we must be ready.

Avoid the question of salary, until you have an offer. On job applications under salary requirements, put "open," "negotiable," or "competitive." If a salary requirement must be given, then give ranges (usually begin your range at 10% higher than your last salary). If you are asked directly how much you would like to make, try to avoid providing a number, but answer in vague terms:

Research your market value. Before you go into an interview, make sure you are armed with the most recent information on the salary ranges for the position that you want.

Do not take an offer on the spot. How valuable and in demand will you seem if you accept an offer the moment it's presented? Instead, either take home the written offer or take notes on the details of the offer. Tell the employer that you would like to go over everything very carefully, and set up a meeting for the next day. Now that you have some time to really think, you should examine the organization's entire compensation package. Be sure to consider these factors:

Negotiate. Once you have considered the things listed above and they are acceptable, you are ready to negotiate. Enter the negotiation armed with a firm understanding of your skills and what they are worth. Know your strengths in your field.

Negotiation is okay and is expected. If you are going into sales and do not even try to negotiate, this could be the last test of your interview. If you will not negotiate your salary, how can you be expected to negotiate multi-million dollar contracts for the company? Even if you are not applying for a sales position, employers may be wary of a deal that is made too quickly.

Make sure the negotiation stays win-win. When a company offers you an exact figure, it is usually safe to expect that the number is its mid-range. This is not the time to play hardball; you will be working with these people if you accept the position. Use real-life examples rather that trumped up negotiation tactics that sound like "ME, ME, ME!" Think team.

Examine alternatives. If efforts are exhausted in the salary negotiation, and the company has not offered a salary acceptable to you, but you still want the job, shift the conversation to the future.

By being well prepared and confident, you will easily be able to master the art of salary negotiation, you will become more comfortable doing it, and you will negotiate an acceptable compensation package. Employers understand your point of view; they were once on the other side of this process. Remember to be knowledgeable about industry standards, firm in what is acceptable or unacceptable, and open to other forms of compensation. You'll end up not only with the position you want, but also with a salary you deserve.