I just wanted to share a particular phrase that helped me in my recent salary negotiation. I was offered the position, then informed of the salary at the first step of the pay scale. So I said, "Please explain to me why I should start at step one? I have X years experience doing a very similar job in my current position, and Y years experience doing other related library work. When the job was advertised, of course there was a range, and I'd like to understand how that scale works."

This line was suggested by my dad, who is a lawyer, and I like it because it really puts the ball in their court, and let's them explain the ground rules by which their business operates. It's a good way to open a negotiation because it gets the other person talking first. It also highlights the strength of the skills & experience that you will bring to the job. You obviously did well in the interview if you were offered the job, but you are not done selling yourself as the best, most valuable candidate. But it's important to understand there is a definite, set system governing salaries at every institution and this is really the time to figure out how the scale works at your potential new workplace. They have already offered you the job, but you have not yet accepted it. Now you can feel comfortable to spend some time talking to you new boss about questions like, how often are regular step increases? Is there also an annual cost of living adjustment? How often are performance evaluations, and if annual raises are based on reviews, do they actually, really, ever happen in a timely manner? Think of it as a conversation between you and your new boss, where you are trying to understand the new workplace and you will very likely feel less nervous about the prospect of asking for more money, especially if you frame it within the context of your skills and experience.

So anyway, I came away starting at step two of the scale, and knowing there will be a couple small increases by the end of the year. As for moving expenses, I was informed that the county never, ever pays them but when she was hired, they fudged the numbers by listing her start date a week early. So I'll basically get one week free pay to help cover expenses. Nice! It seems a little weird to talk about specifics of compensation, but I thought that was such a creative way to work the system that it's worth sharing.

You're welcome. Does anyone else have negotiation tips or experiences to share?