Money is the primary issue in almost every job search. It could be the trigger that sends you on the road to a new career, the motivator that inspires careful research, or the deal breaker that ends negotiations with a potential employer.
In our corporate world, we generally use dollars and cents to represent a person’s value to an organization. This sounds simple and fair. But in many cases, the hardest workers — such as laborers who perform dangerous tasks and managers who stay past nightfall to meet deadlines — don’t feel suitably compensated for their efforts. And of course, less-driven workers also crave higher paychecks.
Just about everyone wants to make the greatest possible salary for their skills and experience. This often means venturing out to find a new job, fast.
A word of advice for people launching a money-hungry job search: Remember that cash has a way of making people lose track of other priorities. Get your head on straight before you begin. Here are some guidelines:
Recognize your intentions. If money compelled you to start looking for new employment, take a minute to figure out why. Do you need additional income in order to pay your bills on time? Are you happy with your current salary, but aware of more lucrative opportunities in your industry? Do you feel undervalued by your present employer?
Know your reasons for seeking out more money. It will save time, and put you on the right track to achieve your objectives.
Determine your financial needs and goals. No one understands your financial background better than you. And if you’re aware of your actual bottom-line needs, you’ll be your best advocate on the job trail.
Before you target new companies, count up your monthly or yearly expenses. Figure out what you need to make ends meet, and then shore up that figure to provide enough for emergencies, savings and other goals. Once you know the minimum amount that you need to get by (plus a bit extra), imagine your ideal paycheck, the one that might be obtained from the most prestigious, stable company in your field.
Here’s a pared-down example. You love your job as a retail assistant manager, and your $30,000 salary meets your basic needs. However, you want to take a business course at Everett Community College, and this pay rate won’t cover the added costs. In your research, you find a local retailer offering $45,000 for top candidates.
Compare the peak salary in your field (in this case, $45,000 plus benefits) to your bottom line ($30,000 plus class fees), and place yourself in the middle, based on your background. Use this figure as a starting point in your search.
Maintain a big-picture perspective. If money drives your job hunt, be cautious. Don’t allow a superhigh pay scale to entice you into a not-so-super work situation. Take your time in evaluating potential employers. Find out what they have to offer with regard to business culture and growth potential. Learn about the company history.
Most of all, arm yourself with information about yourself. Know your intentions, your actual bottom line, and your financial goals. And check in with yourself every now and again. Keep your wits about you, and your money-driven job search will pay off.
Send your job search questions to Eve.GetAJob@gmail.com.
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