You might think all of your work is done once you get a job offer from an employer. The truth of the matter is the real work is just about to begin: Negotiating an acceptable salary.

The salary negotiation is the last hurdle you have to clear before you can say with certainty that you have landed the job. Marshall Brown of Marshall Brown & Associates, a career consulting firm, wrote in his article featured on the NPT Career Learning Center “10 Tips for Salary Negotiations” that striking the right balance between what is fair for both you and the employer can be a real challenge. With that in mind, he offered his 10 tips to make the experience a little easier:

• Do your homework. Do research on the typical salary in the industry so you know what you can expect for the position you are seeking.
• Be sure you are aware of your strengths, skills, achievements, and make sure you are able to show and demonstrate your successes. Think about what value you can bring to the organization and be able to talk about it. Know your worth.
• Don’t inflate your current salary just to get a higher offer.
• Don’t bring up salary before the employer does.
• If you are “pushed” about a specific salary you want, give a range that you find acceptable based on your lifestyle. Try to let the employer make the first offer.
• You don’t have to take the first salary offer. If the offer you are given is not acceptable based on your research, negotiate using adequate data to support your counter-offer.
• Look at the total compensation package, not just the salary. Having benefits such as flex time, additional medical benefits, and vacation can be appealing.
• If you can’t negotiate a higher starting salary, be prepared to discuss other options, such as a six month review or a better title.
• Get the offer in writing.
• Practice your pitch. Be comfortable discussing your successes and value that you bring to the table. Confidence is key.