Successfully negotiating your salary

​So you have done all the hard yards - gotten shortlisted for the interview, impressed at the interview and finally you got the call offering you the role. However, you are not satisfied with the salary on offer and wish to nail the salary you want. Here comes the often tricky salary negotiation. 
What you don't want to do is be too aggressive and offend your prospective employer - your future boss. Inexperience can often lead you to go straight for the jugular. Aggression does not work in this situation. No one likes a bully. So what do you do? What should your approach be so you end up in a win-win situation? Here are some tips:

• Know your worth: What are you prepared to get out of bed for? There could be a better offer round the corner. ​
• Do your research: Make sure you have the right facts to negotiate successfully. Find out both the going rate in your sector. Take into account the calibre of the other candidates. Use your unique selling points and consult with recruitment consultants to ensure your skills are in demand.
• Start high. Often employers to offer the lower end of a salary scale. It is your job to push for a higher offer. However, be realistic. This is where your research will be very beneficial. Experienced recruiters recommend job seekers negotiate in $1,000 increments. Don't get greedy and demand $5,000 more than what was offered. 
• Be honest from the outset: Do not agree to an offer and then ask for more. The earlier you start your negotiations, the better. Time is money - so don't waste your prospective employer's time and your own. 
• Don't be stubborn: Refusing to budge will not get you the desired result. Negotiating is about compromising and finding a mutually agreeable solution. Maybe agree to performance measures and set a date for a review if your experience isn't being reflected in the offer. Strong negotiation skills are highly valued in the workplace. 
• Be creative: Perhaps Maybe the employer offers you a bonus or additional perks instead of the salary your requested. Maybe the employer can pay for a course you wish to do or offer you time off to pursue it. Maybe the employer might give you five weeks annual leave instead of the minimum four. These are all creative ways of reaching an agreement. Be open to consider these options or to suggest them if the employer is really unable to match your salary expectations. 
• Be polite: Even if you have to refuse, be polite. 

Here is an article from Susan Adams from Forbes on how to successfully negotiate a desired salary once you have landed the job offer. 

Good luck!