Anyone got any advice on how to go about salary negotiation for a new job?

[Thissowasnttheplan]

Tomorrow DH is going for the final selection for a job in the private sector. He was approached about the job by a head hunter who said the salary would be 'about 50k'. Both DH and I have always worked in the public sector and have no idea about how salary negotiations work.
Any advice?
Are they likely to ask about his salary expectations tomorrow, or only if he is offered the job? If they offer a salary is the done thing for DH to just accept it or is o.k. to ask for a higher salary?
Does 'about 50k' mean that it is reasonable for DH to aim for 55k? And if so should his starting request be higher than 55k? Or will this make him look unreasonable?
Also DH is not currently in work, so I guess he can't argue an amount based on what he currently earns, but the job is hundreds of miles away and I would have to give up my job. My chance of getting another job in my sector is just about sod all. Realistically I think I would have to retrain once the kids start school in a few years and start over in a new career. So can we use me having to give up my job and us therefore having a long term reduced household income as a basis for arguing for a higher salary?
As you can see I am completely ignorant about how these things work, so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Thissowasnttheplan]

Oh, and it is ok to ask if they offer a relocation allowance?

[EBearhug]

Do some research on sites like glassdoor.com and payscale.com - what are jobs like this usually offering in your region?

Work our what is the lowest he will work for, and what he'd ideally get (which should be around what is normally offered for that role and experience.) Start negotiating above this, with the expectation that there will be a couple of rounds of opposing offers - you're trying to get the highest you can, they'll be trying to pay as little as they can, and you should meet somewhere in between.

I wouldn't mention salary till they do, which ideally will be with a job offer - if they'very already decided they want you (by offering the job,) you'll be in a stronger negotiating position.

Don't forget the whole package - salary, plus any benefits like pension, company car, private health insurance. Do ask for relocation, if that's reasonable - the worst that happens is they say no. Depends on distance, though.

[RedSandYellowSand]

Please don't argue for a salary based on the fact your DH applied for a job away from your current location which would involve you giving up your job.
Relocation is possible to ask about - but don't let it be the be all and end all.
What about DHs most recent salary as a starting point?
And also other jobs at a similar sounding level in the facility? Any comparisons you can make?

Slot the end of the day, i would say you can ask, but you might not get. And don't make it into a massive issue.

[flowery]

Your personal job situation is a factor in you/DH's decision-making process in terms of the minimum you decide he should accept to make that move. It is not and should not be a factor in how much they offer.

these things are factors for them:

-How many good candidates they get
-Whether your DH meets all the criteria they need
-How much they want him
-Their internal salary profile - even if they don't have a formal salary structure they will not want to recruit someone on a salary which is massively out of kilter with comparable roles internally
-The market rate for the job

Yes he can ask whether a relocation allowance is available. The previous posters' advice is good about other factor to consider and how to approach the negotiation.

The more information he has about current market rates (in the new location) for similar jobs, the better, and also to have decided how much he needs to achieve in order to accept/what his bottom line is.

[Thissowasnttheplan]

Thanks everyone for the advice! Will discuss with DH.