Subscribe to our newsletter. The degree to which a salary is negotiable depends on the position, the manager, the organization, and your perceived value. There is generally more room to negotiate in the private sector. Most government jobs utilize rigid pay scales based on education and experience to determine compensation.
All employers enter the negotiation process with a salary range in mind.
An interviewer may ask what your most recent salary was. If you're asking for a higher salary, provide cost of living statistics and salary compensation surveys. If you feel you were underpaid by your previous employer, elaborate on the situation. If the salary question appears on an application or early in the interview process, try to remain elusive. State that you're flexible and open to negotiation, or that you're seeking a competitive salary.