In a competitive job market, job seekers sometimes think that they're lucky to land an interview, let alone receive an actual job offer. But it's usually smart to negotiate the terms of a job offer. The trick is knowing when to stop.

Do Your Research

First, evaluate your negotiating skills. Are you comfortable negotiating over the price of any item or service  with the salesperson? How skilled have you been with previous offers?  Or in asking for your last raise? If you've negotiated successfully before, you are well on your way.

If you decide that you need practice, you might want to find a friend who will role play with you to practice before heading off to the real thing.

Know Your Bottom Line

Negotiating isn't necessarily about winning. It's about agreeing on terms of a job offer that is acceptable to you and to the company.

You must know what base salary and what benefits you can and cannot live with - or without. Make a list of things that are absolutely necessary, and then make a list of your "wish list" items. You must know the bottom line that must have to accept an offer, once these have been met you can negotiate on other items.

Be Creative

If possible, look beyond just salary when negotiating your job offer.

If the salary is less than you were hoping for, try requesting an evaluation sooner than they otherwise would have.  You will be seen as flexible and willing to work with the company - a real team player.

If you have flexibility and don't need some benefits - perhaps you get Medical Insurance through your spouse's company - then trade more traditional benefits for perks where there may be more flexibility, such as flex time, extra time off, or telecommuting part of the time.

You want to feel as though you've explored all your options. Knowing that will make you feel more comfortable ending negotiations and making a final decision about the job offer.

Don't Be Greedy !

Quit while you're ahead. Really.

If you continue to negotiate for the sake of negotiating -- even after you've gotten a fair job offer -- you may end up losing. First, a company could simply end negotiations and rescind any offers.  Second, you risk alienating your future boss. And you certainly don't want your boss to resent you before you've even started work.