First: Don’t say yes. Thank the potential employer (with enthusiasm!), and tell her you’ll get back to her within 24 hours, says David E. Perry, coauthor of Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters (Wiley, $17, www.amazon.com).

Then: In your next conversation, clarify what your responsibilities will be and make sure they are commensurate with the salary and benefits package. If they aren’t, ask for more. “This is the time to bargain for things,” rather than once you’ve accepted the job, says Cynthia Shapiro, author of Corporate Confidential: 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn’t Want You to Know — and What to Do About Them (St. Martin’s Griffin, $14, www.amazon.com). Begin by requesting perks, like an extra week of vacation time or a signing bonus. As Perry says, “it’s far easier to get extra benefits out of a company than to get a higher salary.” The salary itself should always be the last thing negotiated. And remember: Even if they say no, they’re not likely to withdraw the offer just because you asked.