<prompt> Human: Little background on this whole situation.Im 28 years old and have been working in the food service industry for 8 years now. Started my first culinary job working concession stands at a baseball stadium, then a prep cook, and just recently got a job offer as a Sous chef with a large restaurant group. They seemed very interested in me. After the first interview they called me immediately back to schedule another interview. After the second interview I was told I would be contacted within two weeks, they called me within 1 hour of me leaving the interview to schedule a tasting. After I completed the tastingyesterday I was told I would be contacted within two weeks.I got a phone call today while at work and was offered the position at 43k a year with full benefits. When I first interviewed by none of the people that conducted the 2nd interview and tasting I was told the position pays between 40-50k a year and he said that with my experience I should receive in the high 40s.I was kind of caught off guard initially by the offer because it was so quick. He told me to take a day to think about it and call them back tomorrow.This is my first time dealing with being offered a job of this sort and was wondering how I should open my phone call tomorrow and go about negotiating a higher pay?I currently make around 36k a year with health ins, but no vacation time. My current job knows Im looking around and asked what they can do to keep me. I told them 50k a year and vacation time as well as more responsibility around the restaurant. I have not heard back in a week even though the GM said hed get back to me immediately...Edit: Thanks for the responses, theyve been helpful. I should have mentioned that they broke that pay down into hourly, so I wouldnt be salaried. They mentioned that with overtime, on average, other employees make about 10 more a year. Im not trying to be greedy by any means or play games, I just want to get what I can even if it is a minor increase.Update: Went into work and let them know I received an offer. Didnt tell them exactly what the offer was, but they countered with 45k a year and they will let me know about vacation tomorrow morning, if it is approved it will be retrod for the last two years. Also I will receive the title of sous. I called the other place before all of this took place and we discussed the base of 43k a year, said he would call me back tomorrow and let me know what they can do.  <response>: At the new job, ask for 49, settle for 47 with time offCall goes like this:You: so 43 is interesting but I am not sure that works for me. I really need to be in the 49k range.Them: some bullshit excuse or counter at 45You: you know, I would also consider 47 with x time offYou give them the options YOU want and let them choose. 