Make sure to start off by asking if the offer is negotiable in the first place. If only certain parts of the offer are negotiable, you know where to target your energy.  If the offer is negotiable, know before the negotiation begins the salary range you’d be comfortable accepting. 

Be sure to research what the average income is for the position as well.

This can include medical insurance, support for education and training, paid leave, vacation time, moving expenses, and 401(k) contributions, just to name a few.  Know what benefits (or lack thereof!) are deal breakers for you before the salary negotiation begins, so that you can ask about them during

the negotiation. Also keep in mind that there are less tangible benefits like flextime or telecommuting options, which you might want to bring up in case you aren’t able to negotiate anything with a direct monetary impact.

Another strategy, instead of directly asking if the offer is negotiable, is to indirectly and discreetly find out whether the number you’re being offered is a hard cap or a potential springboard for negation through a series of targeted questions.  Find out if this is a standard offer for 

your position, or whether the number was calculated based on your years of experience, academic background, or other criteria that could be grounds for negotiating.

Whether or not your salary offer is negotiable, it’s important to know what the future potential is for a raise or promotion. Find out on what timescale these advancements usually take place, and how often evaluations are conducted. This information could tip the balance for an originally unattractive salary offer.

This is one of the most important follow-up questions to ask when you’re talking about future salary increases. This will also give you insight into what the company is looking for when they consider employees successful. And if you do end up working for the 

company, this is important information to keep in mind the next time you’re back at the salary negotiating table.

Completing a negotiation in your favor is great, but it doesn’t mean anything until it’s on paper.  Make sure you have a document that details all of the salary and benefit information you’ll be receiving before signing on to the job.