The academic job offer: what to expect and how to negotiate.

In contrast to the familiar college, medical school, residency and fellowship application mechanisms, securing the first academic faculty position has no ground rules and no timelines. The open-ended and idiosyncratic nature of securing a job can be frustrating. Negotiating a competitive start-up package when continuing on the faculty of one's training institution can be particularly challenging. Deciding which offer to accept should be determined less by the "best deal" that can be negotiated and more by the short-term and long-term opportunities for career success.