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Are you a good negotiator?

To get what you want, you have to know how to ask for it. To see how strong your skills are, take this quiz, from Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, the authors of Ask For It (2008, Bantam) and Women Don't Ask (2007, Bantam).

Score so far: points
1. After a job interview, HR calls to offer you the job. The staffer names a salary 15% higher than you're making and says the benefits are generous.

She doesn't have time to negotiate the terms right now, but wants to know if you're going to accept. Since you really want the job, you should say yes now and hammer out the details tomorrow.


Don't say yes too soon. If the company wants you, executives will wait a day for an answer. But once you accept an offer, they have little incentive to negotiate. Instead, say something like: "This is wonderful news, but I'd like to talk more about the details of the offer before I make a decision. What time works for you tomorrow?"

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