Receiving a job after a long and exhausting search can feel like a blessing from above.  But before you accept, make sure you are not so excited that you jump up and say yes without first negotiating your salary.

Times are tough for employers right now so salaries aren’t going to be what they were in 2005 but that doesn’t you shouldn’t try to earn what you believe you’re worth.  In addition to following the same salary negotiation principles you would during normal times, make sure you especially stress the value that you will be bringing to the organization.  Spell out exactly what you plan on doing for the organization such as increased sales or productivity and why it would be in their interest to provide you compensation which falls in your desired range.