Did you know when you don’t negotiate a job offer you are missing out on a huge opportunity to gain benefits, such as more cash in your pocket?

According to a recent CareerBuilder survey, 49 percent of job seekers don’t even bother to negotiate job offers. Instead, they end up accepting the offer immediately! This usually happens because many job seekers have the tendency to underestimate their value as a professional. Although not every hiring manager will initiate a negotiation, it’s important for you to negotiate the offer if you strongly believe you have a lot to offer as a potential employee of their company.

What many job seekers forget is the art of negotiation isn’t solely based on salary. Job seekers can also negotiate various benefits such as vacation time, healthcare benefits, and mobile devices. Even if you can’t get the employer to budge on your salary, most likely you can get them to provide benefits that meet your needs.

If you don’t want to be like almost half of the American job seekers who aren’t negotiating job offers, check out the following ways to help you get what you want out of your next job:

Accepting a job offer is like buying a car; don’t always accept the sticker price.

Many job seekers are tempted to accept a job offer, especially if the offer seems too good to be true at first. However, like buying a car, you need to know what you are investing in. While the car may seem like a great deal at first, you need to consider how much your insurance will increase and if there are any discounts you can receive on the car. When you are offered a job, you should definitely be open to initiating the negotiation process. Remember, if you don’t your negotiate job offer, you could be missing out on money and excellent benefits.

When negotiating job offers, make sure you provide proof of performance.

To prepare yourself for a negotiation, make sure you determine your value based on previous experience and what you can genuinely bring to the table. You can prove your experience by using pieces of your portfolio, accomplishment stories, and letters of recommendation to illustrate your expertise. The more you show the employer what you can offer, the more likely you will increase your chances of successfully getting what you want out of the negotiation.

Don’t forget to negotiate sick days, vacation time, and similar benefits.

Negotiating a job offer isn’t only about negotiating your salary. Take into consideration the various benefits the employer provides and if those benefits will satisfy your needs. If the employer offers an awesome healthcare and retirement package, yet the salary is lower than you expected, you may want to consider the amount of money you’d be saving yourself down the road because of those benefits.

Go into the negotiation knowing yourself and what you want.

Negotiating job offers is all about knowing what your needs are and what you expect out of the position. Before negotiating the offer, make a list of what you’re willing to negotiate, as well as parts of the job offer that won’t satisfy your needs. For example, ask yourself if you want to be able to work from home one day a week or if you want paid vacation time. It’s important to ask yourself these types of questions prior to the negotiation because these are all things you need to consider in order to make a more informed negotiation.

Remember, negotiations are a two-way street.

During your negotiation with the employer, it’s important to remember to maintain open communication. Negotiations are definitely a two-way street because you and the employer must be willing to give and take. In the beginning, you can aim high as long as you are ready to accept a lower offer. Keep in mind, negotiating job offers isn’t about demanding what you want out of the position. When you negotiate an offer, it’s about expressing your needs and being flexible with the employer.

The next time you are offered a position, don’t be like the 49 percent who jump the gun by immediately accepting the offer. Before you seal the deal, make sure you take into consider your needs, value, and what you can offer the company. Negotiating a job offer is a very important part of accepting a position, so be prepared to express what you want out of the entire package and what you’re willing to accept.

Do you believe it’s important for job seekers to be negotiating job offers? Share your comments below!