Negotiating A Salary For An Out-Of-State Job

Negotiating a salary for a new job is critical for every job seeker. No matter how good a job is, it's going to be hard to convince yourself to work there if the salary you are being offered is not fair. This is especially true if you are looking to land a job out-of-state.

Relocating to a new area generally means your expenses are going to increase. Not only do you need to account for the price of moving all of your belongings, the price of gas and other items can be drastically different. As such, it's more important than usual to factor in your move when negotiating with out-of-state employers.

Here are five items to consider that will help your negotiating position:

• Know the area. How much more expensive will gas be in your new home? What about food, and other necessities? All of these things and more need to be taken into consideration when determining what salary you need to maintain a normal lifestyle.
• Take the big-picture approach. Here are some things you should know the answer to: Who will be paying for your move? Will it be difficult to sell your house? In what neighborhood will you be living?
• Research. Salaries can vary greatly by location. The going rate for a major gifts officer in one state could be significantly lower in another.
• Show your value. Hiring managers are not going to want to shell out a little more money just because you are coming from out-of-the area. To get them to consider your case, you need to show that you offer a lot more than your typical candidate. Come to the interview prepared with specific example that demonstrate what you would bring to the organization.
• Salary isn't everything. Money is important but, if negotiations are at a stalemate, it's worth considering what else can be gained. For example, see if you can negotiate perks or other benefits that could eventually boost your starting salary.