I have an offer in hand from one of the bigger consultancy but I do think they can push the package by another 3-4K. Whats the best way to negotiate a hike ? I am quite uncomfortable calling the HR person and saying "Is that your last and final offer" or "Can you match the other (phantom) offer",etc. ? Whats the diplomatic standard line for this situation ?Thanks in Advance

Tough one. If you havn't got another offer, I wouldn't risk it.

I wouldn't go down the 'phantom offer' route. Not only is it dishonest, but you could end up with nothing.Your bargaining power really depends on how you've managed the process thus far. If, for example, they asked you to indicate your salary range and you replied 75K and they've come back offering 70K, you could very legitimately have a discussion about needing a figure closer to your original expectation. On the other hand, if you asked for 75K and they've now offered 75K, but you feel that they could offer more, I'm afraid you're out of luck. You should have put forward a stronger position going in.

Look at this from the negotion side! How good are you, how well can you negotiate for your company - if you can't for yourself. Always in negitiations one seeks the middle ground, so all parties are satisfied. Having always sold solutions, I know the following to be true ... "..he who mentions a figure first is Doomed, to lose!" Never, mention a figure relating to salary first. Turn the question around and say "... I would expect to be recommpensed in line with my top-end peers."Sorry to be down on this, but reality is needed in this area. Two things to remember - Don't lie, you will be found out! Sell your value to the biusiness, you are not a box!Good luck let us know the outcome.CheersRalphralph.findlay@lineone.net

Ralph,how would you negotiate this one;You have received an offer from a firm that like, but are also in the process of interviewing with several other companies. With the other companies you have reached final round interviews but they are some distance away. Would it be appropriate to negotiate based around the opportunity cost of accepting the offer and not interviewing with the other firms?