The final piece in harvesting a job opportunity is of course the acceptance of an offer. Accepted offers often follow some evaluation and possibly negotiations of the terms of the offer.

In evaluating an offer you'll want to consider all the aspects of the job before deciding to negotiate to accept the job.

• How to Evaluate a Job Offer
• Job Search 101 - How to Evaluate an Offer
• Evaluating a Job Offer (from US Occupational Outlook Handbook)
• Job offer checklists:
  • Sample # 1
  • Sample # 2 -- particularly for recent College grads

Before negotiating, you need to know what is negotiable and what is not to avoid unnecessary disappointment. Such items as location of the position, certain fringe benefits that are standard across a company, like pension eligibility rules etc., are unlikely to be negotiable. Negotiation around various terms of the offer, typically includes, but is not limited to: potential job responsibilities, compensation levels, compensation components, vacation, and even title.

A balance has to be considered when contemplating how aggressive to be in negotiations. Coming across too strongly in negotiations could get you off on a less-than-ideal footing should you ultimately accept the position, or jeopardize the offer altogether. On the other hand, not proposing a counteroffer might leave you with the feeling that you didn't at least try. A tactic might be as simple and subtle as tone and reasonableness about an item or items being discussed.

• Know your worth AND what the position typically pays via salary guides (covered earlier in Target Level of Compensation How To)
• Understand what is critical to you and what you can give on.
• Understand what is realistic and reasonable in making counteroffers, not just in terms of salary, but also other aspects of the job.
• Know the range of benefits that can be offered, and negotiated.   Here is a good starter list

From Quintessential Careers.com:

• Salary Negotiation Tactic Tutorial Quiz
• Avoiding These 10 Salary Negotiation Mistakes
• Responding to Requests for Salary Requirements or Salary Histories: Strategies and Suggestions
• Job offer too low? key salary negotiation strategies and use/design of a counter proposal letter
• Comparing two or more job offers
• Salary negotiation Do's and Don'ts

Key elements to consider from Salary.com:

• Everything is negotiable
• Be your own agent
• The job you want
• Your dream deal
• The Salary History question

One Consultant's Salary Negotiation Guide:

• When to Talk Salary
• Preparing for Negotiations
• Let the Bargaining Begin
• 8 Salary Negotiation Tips

It's easy to get caught up in the moment of the discussion and forget something you wanted to bargain for.

• Paid schooling for higher degrees
• Placement in management training programs
• Placement in certain divisions of a large company
• This and other guidance included below:
  • University of Pennsylvania Undergraduate Students & Alumni -- negotiating job offers
  
  

-- Series from Karen Chopra, Licensed career counselor.

• Karen Chopra Bio (1:01)
• When I get a job offer, what should I say? (1:24)
• How do I evaluate a job offer? (2:10)
• Should I ask an employer to put a job offer in writing (2:03)
• When during the interview process should I start negotiating salary? (1:28)
• What happens if I don't negotiate my salary and benefits?(0:38)
• Can I expect to get a better deal when negotiating salary and benefits?(0:53)
• How can I prepare for salary negotiations? (1:28)
• How do I answer questions about salary? (1:14)
• Why does an employer ask about my salary history? (1:16)
• What if I can't dodge the salary question? (1:14)
• What type of salary information should I have ready before an interview? (1:23)

• How can I get salary data? (1:46)
• How do I find out what a job pays?(1:50)
• What can I ask for when I negotiate a salary and benefits? (1:55)
• How do I ask for more money when negotiating a job offer? (2:07)
• What if an employer reacts negatively when I start the salary negotiation?(1:21)
• Will asking for more money cause an employer to pull a job offer?(0:50)
• What if an employer goes back on the deal arranged in the job offer? (1:11)
• If I don't get the amount I asked for, should I still accept the job? (1:11)

Consult with others you may know about their negotiating experience.