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Money is often the most sensitive topic during the entire process of hiring. Discussing the remuneration package can give the candidate as well as the prospective employer many anxious moments.

Here are a few ways with which you can make this process a bit easier:

1- Do some research: Before you go for your interview, call up any professional organization in the relevant field and make enquiries as to the salary range in the position you are applying for. Deduct about 30% of that amount, which will go as taxes and see if that salary is enough to meet your financial requirements every month.

2- Evaluate your skills: Different jobs have different skill requirements. You should be able to evaluate your skills and calculate their worth according to the prevailing employment market. This will help you to put a limit on your negotiation.

Places where you find out information on salary range include Career Center, National Association of College and American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries.

When you are stating an acceptable salary range, do not base the salary that you expect on the salary you are currently getting and never lie about your previous earnings as these things can always be confirmed. You could say how much you currently earn and just add that you are interested in earning higher remuneration.

3- Weigh the whole compensation package that the company is offering you. In order to make a better assessment of the market value for any particular job you need to take into consideration the geographic, industry and economic factors that are involved. To determine if the proposed salary is fare you would also need to take into consideration other benefits including promotions, retirement benefits, paid time-off and insurance.

4- You should know how to sell yourself without asking directly for a higher salary. Once the interviewer is convinced of your worth, he will himself offer to raise the salary that is being offered.

5- Be positive while negotiating, after all you have to find the middle ground that is beneficial to both parties.

6- After you have finished negotiating and made a deal, so do not push any more as it give the interviewer a very negative impression of you.

7- If you prove your worth to the company, your employer is sure to notice and will be only too happy to raise your salary. So don’t be too disappointed if you do not get the salary you wanted in the interview stage.

A survey that was conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management showed that 80% of employees are willing and ready to negotiate compensation