Securing the best pay deal for yourself requires skillful negotiating. If you're interested in reading more about what it takes to negotiate compensation, try these recommendations from Richard G. Shell, the Thomas Gerrity Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Shell teaches in the school's legal studies and management departments and is director of the Wharton Executive Negotiation Workshop, a weeklong executive program on salary and other negotiation issues for managers.

Here is his list:

"Get Paid What You're Worth: The Expert Negotiator's Guide to Salary and Compensation"
By Robin L. Pinkley and Gregory B. Northcraft
"This is a great starting place for anyone deciding to negotiate compensation. It covers all the basics."

"Women Don't Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide"
By Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever
"Women often get paid less than men for doing the same job. This book explains why and what you can do about it."

"Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion"
By Robert Cialdini
"There is a lot of psychology behind effective negotiations in both business and everyday life. This wonderful work explains the 20% of that psychology that makes 80% of difference to your success."

"Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ"
By Daniel Goleman
"Sometimes it isn't what you ask for but rather how you ask for it that makes the difference. This work shows that getting ahead depends as much on your sensitivity to peoples' feelings as it does to the excellence of your work."

"Think and Grow Rich"
By Napoleon Hill
"Having the right mental attitude is critical when you are asking for more pay. This classic self-help manual shows you a step-by-step process for getting psyched up so you will achieve your goals -- for compensation and everything else."

"The Entrepreneur's Guide to Business Law"
By Constance E. Bagley and Craig E. Dauchy
"Although written for entrepreneurs, this basic guide to business law has excellent sections on employment contracts, including noncompete clauses and other contentious issues."

"Sam Walton: Made in America"
By Sam Walton with John Huey
"If you get tired of asking for raises -- or don't get paid what you deserve -- then it may be time to strike out on your own. This inspirational book shows you how to do it. Wouldn't you rather have other people asking you for a raise instead of you asking them?"