The best way to negotiate for an increase in starting salary is to

Either when you're first offered the job or during a performace review. It may make you uncomfortable, but it's extremely important ance review

Through salary negotiations ...

If the company asks for a number on the application, leave it blank. When the company verbally asks how much you'll take, you say, "I'm much more interested in doing [type of work] here at [name of company] than I am in the size of the initial offer."

- this will suffice about 40% of the time. If the company asks a second time, your answer is: "I will consider any reasonable offer."

- This is a polite stalling tactic, and this will work another 30% of the time. About 30% of the time, you'll reach this final step. Again, your response is a polite refusal to answer the question: "You're in a much better position to know how much I'm worth to you than I am." This is your final answer, no matter how many times the company tries to get you to go first.

The purpose of this method is to get the company to be the first side to name a number. Once the company makes an offer, there are two options. If the offer is above your minimum, take the job. If it's below your minimum, tell them it's too low-but do not say by how much