Negotiations can begin once you have a formal job offer (written or verbal). Never try to negotiate after you have accepted the job. Once you have said "yes," your negotiation leverage is gone, and you are subject to the same promotion and salary plans as the rest of the organization.

It is also much too early to negotiate before you have an official job offer. The company has not formalized its interest in you and attempted negotiations would be presumptuous.

Negotiation success factors
Remember, anyone can negotiate a job offer, but it helps when you have a little extra leverage. Your likelihood of negotiation success increases when:

• You have other job offers on the table
• You have specialized skills that the company needs
• Your position will affect company earnings
• The position has been vacant for a long time or there are no other candidates in the running
• Your potential boss really wants you in the job

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