The assumption when a candidate goes into a job interview is that the candidate is selling and the interviewer is buying. It’s similar when a prospective tenant is viewing a home – the tenant is the default buyer while the owner’s letting agent is the seller.
But, let’s consider the following situation – the candidate has 2 great job offers while the interviewer has been desperately trying to fill that particular position for many months. Similarly, the home is one that “rents itself” while the tenant is at a point of desperation in his search for homes.
As a wiser friend pointed out, when you walk into a buyer-seller situation today, keep an eye out for the real dynamics of the situation. Ask yourself – who is buying and who is selling? It is ideal to be the buyer but circumstances often force us to be sellers. If we’re to be sellers, let’s acknowledge our role but be self aware enough to sell with panache and enthusiasm, and not appear desperate. Appearing desperate is a put off.
Besides, in a negotiation, you are at your best position when you are willing to walk away..
A Learning a Day 