10 Keys to Getting Paid What You?re Worth!

Asking for money is so taboo in our culture that most of us shake in our shoes when we think about negotiating salary. It conjures up our insecurities about not being good enough, not knowing enough, or not being considered valuable enough. We worry that the company will rescind its offer if we ask for what we're worth.

The truth is if you don't negotiate, the employer thinks he or she has paid too much. When you are confident enough to negotiate, your value goes up in the eyes of the employer. You may not get everything you ask for, but if you don't ask you won't get what you are worth! Use these keys to open the locks on your earning potential.

DO YOUR RESEARCH. You must find out what the going rate is for the kind of work you do. Check out online salary surveys and surveys published by professional associations. But remember the best source of salary information is the people who currently work in the field. Ask them for a salary range based on your experience for a given position and industry.

DEMONSTRATE YOUR CAPABILITIES AND EXPERTISE. Sell your skills, knowledge, and expertise from your initial contact with the organization right through to the offer. Know what the employer's problems, challenges, and issues are and demonstrate that you are the best person to solve the problems, meet the challenges, and resolve the issues.

PUT OFF SALARY DISCUSSIONS until after you have been offered the position. When asked about salary requirements or expectations, realize that you have a one in three chance of answering correctly. The odds are not in your favor so shift the conversation to a discussion of the employer's needs and how you can solve their problems. Your goal is to move the employer from concern about their budget to conviction that you are the answer to their problem.

BUY TIME TO CONSIDER THE OFFER. Be gracious and politely request time to evaluate the offer. There are sound reasons why you need time to consider an offer:

? To study and understand the total package.

? To decide how to deal with a salary that may be lower than you expected.

? To discuss the offer with your family, colleagues, or network contacts.

? To plan and execute a successful negotiation strategy.

? To transition from the high of getting the offer to the level-headedness required to negotiate.

? To keep your options open for another offer which you expect to receive shortly.

DEVELOP A NEGOTIATION STRATEGY. Identify multiple options for getting to the compensation level you seek. Maintain a positive attitude and negotiate from the basis of worth not need. Seek win-win solutions.

NEGOTIATE IN PERSON. Because body language and tone of voice are essential to this process, you must negotiate in person rather than by telephone.

RESPOND TO THE INITIAL OFFER WITHOUT REACTING. When the employer quotes a figure, repeat the figure or the top of the range, then keep quiet and silently count to 30. Often the silence will prompt them to immediately bump up the salary.

KNOW WHEN TO WALK AWAY. Make a conscious decision before you sit down to negotiate that you will politely walk away from the opportunity if it doesn't meet your "must have" requirements. Don't accept the position thinking things will change once you are on the job.

GET THE OFFER IN WRITING. Things change; bosses come and go. If you negotiate anything out of the ordinary-additional or early vacation, higher than usual salary, an office with a door instead of a cubicle-get it in writing so that when circumstances change your agreement is still intact.

DELIVER WHAT YOU PROMISED AND MORE. Once you are on the job deliver what you promised and more. Why? For future promotions, salary increases, to protect your reputation, and to give you leverage should things at the company take a turn for the worse.

Mary Jeanne Vincent is the author of Acing the Interview tip cards featuring answers to the top 20 "killer" interview questions. Also included are tips for interviewing in the new economy, ideas for responding to illegal and trick questions, and suggestions for avoiding 10 deadly interview mistakes.

Go to http://www.2bworkwise.com for free job search articles and to sign up for the free WorkWise e-zine. For information on individual job and career coaching or to find out about other practical, easy-to-use career tools call Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151.

---

Cover Letter Sample -- For the Corporate Flight Attendant

Writing a cover letter to send with your résumé can... Read More

Finally The First Online Job Agency in Mauritius

Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with... Read More

Tips for Terrific Telephone Interviews

Telephone interviews don't just happen; they are the result of... Read More

Reinventing Yourself for Multiple Careers

In many countries around the globe, people are born into... Read More

Conduct An Informational Interview

Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as... Read More

Who Should Write Your Resume?

This is a question we get a lot. It seems... Read More

Job Search Blurts

I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More

The Role of a Medical Assistant in a Modern Medical Practice

Many physicians are unsure of what tasks are appropriate to... Read More

Certification for Freelancers and Home-Based Business Owners

When we think of technical certification, most of us think... Read More

Job Interviews: Answering Whats Your Greatest Weakness?

Many interview guides advise candidates to answer the common "What's... Read More

I Quit!

More and more people are calling it quits to successful... Read More

Last Year Physician Resident Checklist

Here is a last year resident checklist not to forget:LICENSING:Licensing... Read More

How to Prepare for A Performance Appraisal

Performance appraisal should be treated as an ongoing developmental process... Read More

Make Your Resume Keyword Rich and Scanner Friendly

If you haven't looked for a job recently, there are... Read More

Resume That Effectively Promotes You!

Imagine for a moment that you have created a wonderful... Read More

Pre-Interview Web Research

You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared... Read More

Could You Write Performance Reviews For Money?

Writing performance reviews can be an excellent way to earn... Read More

How to Think Like a Headhunter to Find Your Dream Job!

In this ever changing world, we need to think out... Read More

Ten Resume Writing Tips You Can?t Live Without

For some job opening, employers receive hundreds and even thousands... Read More

Applying for a Job in China

Working in ChinaWorking in China is very common now. Either... Read More

For My Second Career, I Want to Do Nothing!

Q. For my second career, I'd like to know "What... Read More

Writing a Resume: To Template or Not To Template?

Are free resume templates a viable answer to preparing a... Read More

How To Establish Trust, Credibility and Enthusiasm To Your Interviewer

If you use your voice to get attention, you use... Read More

Master Responding to Selection Criteria and Win Your Next Job!

As a human resources specialist for many years, I've seen... Read More

The Top Ten Ways to Jump Start Your Career

1. Do What You Love.Have you ever noticed we usually... Read More

Career Success: Take Charge of Your Career

People react very differently to the waves of change that... Read More

How to Track Your Right Career

Are you lost in the wilderness when it comes to... Read More

Active Listening Skill Tips for Interviews

During a job interview, a potential employer asks, "Can you... Read More

Competency Based Interviews - 6 Steps to Success!

Competency based interviews are intended to get the best from... Read More

Learn How To Network for HIDDEN Jobs

I'll quickly cover the following:A) Why Network With People? B)... Read More

Smokin? Up a Storm: Clothing, Smokers, and the Job Interview

You're nervous. You're so nervous that you crave a smoke.... Read More

Don?t Be Too Passionate About Your Work

Of course, she then offered me a six-month process, costing... Read More

Five Powerful Tips for Interns

Interning is about more than earning money during summer break.... Read More