How to Negotiate a Job Offer in an Employer’s Market

Finally, the hours of prospecting, submitting resumes, attending networking events, developing new relationships and attending job fairs have paid off. A company has made you an offer.

Now what?

In this environment, you may feel like you’re lucky to get a job offer at all. But you also want to be paid fairly. So how do you cut a good deal? Follow these guidelines.

Sell Yourself Without Feeling Like a Jerk

The term “self promotion” often carries a negative connotation—and with good reason. No one enjoys dealing with someone whose solution to every problem starts—and ends—with “I.”

But in tough economic times, it’s more important than ever to make yourself memorable to employers, potential employers, clients, and business and networking associates. You might know what you do—and what you can do. That’s not the same as making sure other people know it.

So how do you advertise “you” to the world without earning Sir Lancelot’s “C’est moi” reputation? By communicating a value package of which you are one component—a fundamental one. Here are the three essentials:

1. Talk about the team

Conveying your abilities is more than providing a laundry list of education, skills training, and professional experience; you need to talk in terms of achievements and accomplishments. To do it without feeling like a braggart, remember that facts melded with humility are a powerful combination…