Of all the interview games that employers play, salary negotiation is probably the most misunderstood. Employers are typically willing to pay new hires what they're worth. But some don't negotiate salary, period. Their first offer is their best offer, because they're usually offering the competitive market rate in the first place. They'll typically make that clear.

If that's the case, it's probably not a good idea to push your luck, if you're happy with the offer as is. But many other employers do negotiate, even though they don't say so.

The links below explain the salary negotiation game and help you to play by the rules, so the outcome is a win for both sides. Links to help you better understand employee stock options and benefits vs. salary are also included.

If you don't have the time or patience to piece together freebie salary negotiation tips from the Web, consider reading a good book on the topic. There are several highly-rated, discounted books listed in Salary Negotiation, from the reputable Amazon.com.

10 Things You Need to Know About Salary Negotiations
The basics and then some, by the numbers. Job.com also has other career resources and "Power Tools" for job seekers.

Are You Really Ready To Negotiate?
Steps you through advice articles for job-offer and salary negotiation, and evaluating benefits and the total compensation package. From CollegeGrad, but not just for students and grads.

Everything is Negotiable
The first in a series of helpful articles about negotiating salary, benefits, raises and promotions, in the Negotiation Clinic at Salary.com. Includes a free Salary Wizard for discovering how your base salary compares to others working in your occupation and U.S. metro area.

How One Word Can Add Thousands to Your Paycheck
Author Jack Chapman shares rule number three of five salary negotiation rules he included in his book Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1000 a Minute. (See also his Salary Quiz). If you like what he has to say, Amazon.com sells his book for less. Readers, including a career counselor, have given it the maximum rating of five stars (at this writing). More highly-rated, discounted salary negotiation books from Amazon are listed in Salary Negotiation.

Salary Negotiation Tips
A series of ever-evolving articles written by experts, ranging from negotiating counteroffers and severance to total compensation packages. Typically includes articles for worker-bee through executive positions. Courtesy of Career Journal by The Wall Street Journal.

Salary Negotiations
Monster.com lists a variety of articles on various negotiation topics, such as raises, severance and annual pay. Register with "My Monster" to manage your job search, post your resume and customize your jobs by email options. It's all free.

Salary Negotiation Letter
A sample letter in response to a job offer, which, among other things, counteroffers the initial salary the employer offered. From Quintessential Careers. Also has several other salary negotiation tips, including the tutorial listed elsewhere here.

Salary & Job Offer Negotiation Tutorial
Steps you through the process of job offer and salary negotiations. From Quintessential Careers.

Understanding Company Benefits
Helpful article, but would be more appropriately entitled "Understanding Company Health Insurance Benefits." Includes tips for figuring employee costs that reduce net salary, to help you decide which job offer is the better.

Understanding Stock Options
Don't be baited by the lure of getting rich on employee stock options, especially at the sacrifice of salary. As the author of this article indicates, stock options are risky and only "icing on the cake." From Yahoo HotJobs.