With regards to the first point, how do I know how much to ask for? There are a lot of salary calculator tools out there, but I suspect they're only so accurate.
They will give you an opening offer most of the time. If they ask what you're looking for, just say that you're exploring the market and don't have a set figure yet. Here's a simple strategy for a first timer, especially if you want the job and don't have other offers on the table:
1. They will call and offer you the job, and tell you what the salary is. Say "thanks, I'm very interested, but will need a day to think it over."
2. Call them back the second day. Say "I'm very excited about this job, but I was really hoping for a higher salary."
3. Shut up and wait for them to reply. Leaving a space of silence is key. You've said your piece, it's their turn to reply--just wait for them to say something back.
4. They will usually come back with a higher offer. This got me a 10% increase in starting pay at one job--and I was absolutely going to take it either way.
There are lots of other things you can do if you have other offers, previous salaries, or industry comparisons. But this is a solid fallback plan, and anyone can handle it.
Honestly, I wouldn't put too much faith in this working. It's possible that I'm just really bad at this, but the last couple times I've been looking for work, I've never gotten a company to budge off their initial offer (even when I truthfully told them that I had 4 other offers on the table). In one case a company I turned down did come back with a higher offer a year later.
I think the key part is to not worry too much about the actual number. Seek out the right job, and the right people to work with. From experience I can say if you find yourself around smart people you'll learn more in the first 3 weeks of your job than in 3 years of study.
