6 Tips for Negotiating Your First Job Offer

6 Tips for Negotiating Your First Job Offer6 Tips for Negotiating Your First Job OfferEven if youre tempted to say yes automatically, its so worth your while to step back and look before you leap. You may worry that in todays competitive market the job offer will be retracted if you negotiate salary and benefits. But the key is to have a deft negotiation strategy once the job is on the table.Still hesitant about negotiating your first job offer? Consider this if you departure out at a lower salary, the cumulative cost over the course of your career could be astounding. As noted in this Forbes article, a salary difference of $5,000 in your 20s could add up to to a million dollars or more by the time you retire. Bottom line dont shy away from negotiating, even if this is your first job offer ever.Study up on these sixtips for negotiating your first job offer1. Know your value in the marketplace.Heres where your research about the company, the job, and the industry will be essential. A major goal in negotiating is not to sell yourself short by quickly accepting a lowball offer because youre simply so happy to get the job.However, you also dont want to go overboard and price yourself out of the position. If you fully understand what your skills and education are worth in the industry marketplace, youll be on firm ground during salary negotiations.2. Dont play hardball.While you want to be definite during the negotiations, avoid a hard-nosed approach, which could lead employers to think youre difficult and not a team player. Be reasonable or you could lose the offer.Negotiating your first job offer requires walking a fine line, but its important tomake any requests known now. Many employers actually expect some level of negotiation at this stage, even from younger professionals in their first job.3. Be clear on job responsibilities. Exactly what does your new job entail? What are the hours and goals? Setting expectations now will queue you up to do great work that m eets or succeeds your potential employers needs. Its also good to know whatyour job titlewill be.If youre stepping into a position where the title has been determined beforehand you may be happy with that. If not, research companies for jobs with similar duties and explore what job titles they use.4. Figure out jobflexibility going in.If youre looking for job flexibility- for example, the ability to work remotely some or perhaps all of the time- start the discussion now. If younegotiate flexible work optionswhen the job offer is made both you and your employer will start off on the same page, especially if work flexibility is a top priority for you. If you wait until you start the job, you may find it difficult to backtrack and ask for job flexibility after the fact.5. Find out about tools and training.What technical and other support does your potential new employer provide new employees? If the job involves remote work, what platforms does the company use and how you will you acce ss them?If youre just setting up a home office, offers home office and tech tips that may facilitate youraccess to both internal and external communications the company uses. Ask what support the employer may offer, and dont hesitate to take it.6. Dont be afraid to say no.This may be the scariest thing of all, but dont be afraid to say no if the job offer just doesnt measure up to your expectations. Be professional, of course, if youve weighed the job offer and decide to respectfully decline.Just as you would after a job interview, sending a thank-you notefor the job offer is always a good idea.Looking to get better at interviewing? Check out our job interviewing tips category.