Finally the phone rings, and you are offered a position at a certain starting salary and accompanying benefits. Hopefully, you will have already done your homework and will know how to respond.
Astute employers are accustomed to receiving counter-offers from prospective employees.
Asking for more than the initial offer is not offensive. Take some time to evaluate the offer to ensure that you understand what you are getting into. Use this time to clear up any uncertainties or to re-negotiate options. In most cases, you will not get everything you wish for. So, decide which issues are most important to you and which you could live without.