Many otherwise professional, savvy, mature job seekers turn into puddles of anxiety when it comes to discussing and negotiating their salary requirements when job searching.

The following tips can help you do negotiate a salary with which both you and your future employer will be happy:

Understand that employees cost a business a ton of money. Salaries, benefits, vacation time, etc. creates a huge dent in their bottom line. Many experts, in fact, say that personnel costs make up 70-80 percent of a company’s total expenses!

Naturally, then, an employer is going to try to hire you at the lowest price he or she can.

Your job, and you should accept it, is to get the employer to pay you the highest amount you can negotiate.

Here’s how to do it.

If at all possible, leave any and all talk about your salary requirements until you have a job offer. Spilling the beans before that puts you at a negotiating disadvantage.

If a Washington Metro employer corners you and says it must know your salary requirements before you’re even out of the gate, quote a range, with your stated low figure your actual middle and the high your “if wishes really came true” salary.

For example, let’s say you’ve done your numbers and the absolute bottom salary you can/will accept is $45K, but you tell the employer who insists on a number from the get go that your range is $50K-60K. That way, if the employer says “I can’t pay you more than $45K,” that’s OK with you.

Giving a range higher than your real range allows you lots of wiggle room — it’s easy to negotiate down than up. It also sets the bar high. Chances are good that, if the position pays $50-60K, you’ll get at least $50K.

Again, try your best to avoid any talk of salary until you have a job offer. The above tip is for those times when a potential employer pushes you to a wall and says “Talk price! Now!”

In addition, if an employer says she wants to know your current/last salary, do not give it. Mention desired range, as outlined above. Your last salary should have nothing to do with what this position pays. If you had to take a job that paid $25K annually while you got your life back on track after a personal disaster, but you have the skills for a position that pays $50K, you deserve the $50K. On the flip side, if your last job paid $50K but circumstances are requiring that you’re applying for jobs in the $25K range, telling a hiring manager or HR employee your previous salary will put you out of the running before the gate even opens.

If you’re asked for a salary requirement on an application, write “negotiable.” If the application (or job ad) asks that you include your past salary, leave it blank. Yes, there’s a chance you won’t get called. But employers tend to ignore these missing items in an application if you have pretty much exactly the skills and background an employer seeks.

Remember, it’s the position and qualifications that dictates the salary. Not your wants and past salary history.

With that in mind, be sure you have some idea what a company in this area pays for the type of position you seek. Salaries are much higher in some areas of the country than others, and even within regions. Salaries are much higher in Washington, DC than in cities outside the Beltway, for example. Do your research.

RealStreet Staffing knows the decision makers in the construction, architectural, engineering and Federal communities. We can help you find  terrific opportunities that fit your backgrounds and needs. We look forward to hearing how we can help you create a better future.

You have a great resume, a cover letter that dazzles, impeccable references–the only thing left is the interview.  So make sure you don’t make these mistakes:

Don’t show up late!

The easiest way to look bad right off the bat is to show up late.  It gives the impression that you’re irresponsible and makes the interviewer feel that their time isn’t important to you.  When planning for your interview give yourself enough time for traffic jams, a late train, bad weather and whatever else could happen.  And if you arrive early you’ll have more time to relax and prepare.

Don’t appear disinterested.

There may be some points in an interview when you determine this job simply isn’t the right fit.  If that happens, do NOT show it! Remember that the interviewer does not exist in a vacuum. He or she has friends, relatives, and associates who may influence future job opportunities. If you behave poorly, the interviewer will remember and will share the story of you and your unprofessional behavior with others. Haven’t you shared bad job search experiences with people close to you? The interviewer is probably no different.

Don’t be unprepared.

There’s nothing worse than interviewing someone who doesn’t even know what your company does.  Take some time before your interview to conduct research.  Learn about the company; try to talk with existing employees, gain insight into their industry.  Excellent sources of information include the Internet, periodicals, and experts in the field.

Don’t forget to be polite.

No matter how old fashioned it appears to use words like please, sir, ma’am, and thank you, do not delete these words from your vocabulary. These simple words can work wonders towards making a positive impression. Always use a respectful tone of voice. Do not unnecessarily interrupt the interviewer. Maintain eye contact and a pleasant expression. Leave the slang, slouching, and gum chewing at home. Good manners signal respect for yourself and the people around you; never underestimate their importance.

Don’t dress down.

No matter how laid back or casual a company is, always “dress up” for an interview and remember it’s not time to express your individuality. Always remember that your goal is to gain employment, not to make a fashion statement. Accordingly, you should not dress in any way that will distract attention from you and your qualifications. Things to avoid include unconventional hair colors, excessive jewelry and makeup, and any clothes that you would wear to a nightclub. Do your best to dress accordingly. If there is any doubt, err on the side of being overdressed.

Don’t lie.

Never, ever lie during an interview. Mistruths have an uncanny habit of catching up to people. If the interviewer catches you in a lie during the interview, you have seriously damaged your chances of being hired. After all, would you hire someone that you couldn’t trust? If your employer finds out you lied after you have been hired, it could be grounds for dismissal. Even if they do not dismiss you, you are still in serious trouble as you have damaged your integrity in the eyes of your boss. The bottom line is that you should always be truthful when interviewing.

Don’t be modest.

When searching for the right job, put your modesty aside. Don’t be afraid to confidently describe your skills and accomplishments. After all, if you don’t sing your praises to your potential boss, then who will? Don’t count on your resume to do all the work; it is only a tool to help you land the interview. Once you get your foot in the door, it is up to you to convince the interviewer that you are the ideal person for the job. Worried that you will come across as conceited instead of self-confident? Then practice how and what you will say with a friend or family member who can provide honest feedback.

Don’t forget a thank you note.

Once the interview has concluded, take a few moments to jot down your impressions of the interviewer, what you talked about and any interesting points that were brought up during the meeting. The ideal time and place to do this is in your car as soon as you have exited the building, as your thoughts will be most fresh at this time. Use this information as you compose a well thought out thank you note to the interviewer. Mail this note no later than the day following the interview. Remember, promptness signals interest.

By avoiding these eight simple mistakes, you can improve your chances of having a successful interview and landing the job of your dreams.