Job: Database Administrator (DBA) (United States)

I find the process of salary negotiation painful, but it helps if I've made a clear plan before going in.

Know what amount you won't accept considering all additional costs (benefits, commute, etc).

Put the name-your-price ball back in their court. They don't need to know what your making now.

Your salary should be based on the value you can bring and that they see can be provided. Get them to tell what that price would be and then give you number higher from there

The best benefit of being a govt. contractor and DBA is the fact that the work hours are generally relaxed, and for the most part, deadlines aren't too critical. The Govt. doesn't like to pay for more than 40 hours of work in a week, so most often that is what you work. If you do go over, you get paid for it.

Sometimes you may find yourself working in an environment where your co-workers are only interested in their careers and refuse to work as a true team. Some of these types of co-workers may even go so far as to try and make you look bad. My advice, ask the manager to clearly define the scope of your job and focus on it not on these types of people. Also, maintain a positive attitude at all times. Finally, you control your career. Don't let someone try to control your career.