Salary negotiation during your annual job review, can be a difficult task particularly as it's in your employers best interest to pay you what they think fit rather than what you are worth. This article seeks to examine some basic tips to give you the upper hand in salary negotiation to ensure you get that better than average raise.

Always turn down the first offer

This needs to be done diplomatically. When your company offer you a raise, thank them for the offer and stress how much you enjoy your job, but explain that you need to think it over. Speak to them the following morning and explain that whilst you like the job and the organisation the amount offered was a little lower than expected. Tell them that if they make a final improved offer that you will be pleased to stay with the firm.

This works like a charm and I've seen people get up to $4,000 more on their basic salary for politely turning down the first offer made to them.

Provide Evidence of Market Rates

Usually employers make a salary offer based on what they think you are worth to their organisation. If you want to get an improved salary you need to demonstrate that what you are asking for is not unreasonable and is the going market rate. Visit an online job search site like www.monster.com and check out what other people doing your job are being paid by other companies. Print off this information and take it with you to salary negotiations to evidence your claims.

Be Persistent

During salary negotiations ask your employer on at least three occasions for the salary you want, don't give up if they turn you down after the first attempt. Research shows that asking three times communicates the importance of something to you and your employer may be willing to give into your demands.

Ask for a salary you stand little chance of getting

This is an excellent negotiation strategy. Start by asking for a salary level that you stand little chance of getting but be persistent so that your employer believes that you want this. When this is turned down proceed to the salary level that you do really want. The chances of you getting that salary are much higher because your employer will feel that they need to concede something to you in return for them having declined your first request.

Stage negotiations in a hot office

If you have the opportunity to arrange where salary negotiations take place then aim to find a hot office or turn the air conditioning off in that room. It's

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