Getting laid off is an embarrassing experience -- and not a particularly fun one to relive again and again during interviews. But the way you handle the topic can make or break an opportunity to restart your career and leave the past behind.

To help perfect your approach, we've compiled the following advice for how you should -- and shouldn't -- handle the discussion.

DO be the first one to address your layoff.

One of the first questions a recruiter is likely to ask is, "Can you tell me about yourself?" Reveal your passions and career motivations first, and then take this as an opportunity to explain your recent layoff. "You'll get credit for bringing it up," says Lewis Lin, founder of Seattle Interview Coach and former hiring manager for Microsoft and Google. "You'll get to frame the layoff and explain it on your own terms, as opposed to letting the recruiter ask about it."

DON'T weave a complex story.

You may still feel wounded from your layoff, but don't be too sensitive and over-explain why you were let go. Weaving a complicated story (like you were laid off during a restructuring even though your boss promised your position would be safe, but instead your colleague was chosen to stay because she had a lower salary requirement -- whew!) will raise red flags that there was some deeper meaning behind your termination. Just say, "There was a restructuring and unfortunately my position was eliminated." Then move on to the next question.

Salary negotiation is a very important and – many would agree – extremely exciting part of the job search process.

It is true to say that often the salary negotiation is not exactly about how much you cost, but about how expensive you can “sell” yourself. To some extent we can compare the “selling” process to slave-trading in the Middle Ages. Yes, you have to sell (=employ) yourself for some certain monetary reimbursement (=salary, bonuses, other benefits). This is what they used to do in the past as well – trade people. The crucial difference here is that we do that of our own will, plus we sell our knowledge, skills and ideas, but not our bodies, unless we are talking about some specific job positions, not covered within this abstract.

So what is the secret key to success in trading yourself (=salary negotiating)? In this article you are offered the most essential points on this topic – world’s best knowledge at your disposal!

1. Market research.

Before going for an interview (no matter if this is the first, second or final one – salary negotiation may be initiated anytime and you need to be prepared) make a thorough research on what the fair market value for the position in question is. You need to know that, because you expect to be paid at least not less then others doing the same job. It is not like you just know how much you want to be earning – you should be realistic and know the price the employer is expecting to pay.