5 Ways to Figure Out What You’re Worth

Sara Sutton Fell, Salary.com contributing writer

“So, what are you looking to be paid?”

It’s always a sticking point during an interview. When a hiring manager asks you what your salary requirements are, it can be difficult to answer. Ask for too much, and you could end up pricing yourself right out of the job. Venture too little and you might be seen as less than confident in your capabilities (and also not get the salary you deserve).

To get this right, you need to be proactive and take intelligent steps toward making sure you get a reasonable salary that meets your needs and allows you to still look at yourself in the mirror at the end of each day. Here’s how you can do it.

 5. Do an Online Search

When you’re building a new house, you need to do your homework before construction and make sure all the plans are correct. Negotiating salary is no different.

So, you need to plan. In this case, that means researching comparable salaries. Now, no one wants to ask their peers what their annual salary is because that can get uncomfortable quickly. Luckily, you don’t have to do that because these days it’s super easy to figure out what people in your industry are making. Salary.com’s Salary Wizard offers pay ranges regarding more than 4,000 job titles for almost every industry. This will help you establish a range of what you could be making and what you should ask for.

Never go into a salary negotiation blind and unarmed with research.

 4. Factor in Experience

A range is simply that, a range. What makes the scale slide in your favor are the other factors you bring to the hiring table.

For example, your past work experience (especially how it relates to the position that you’re applying for) can give you an added advantage when you’re a job seeker. Even if you’ve had a gap in employment, try to incorporate any volunteer work, educational classes you’ve taken that pertain to the job, and (if you’re a parent) even the important skills you picked up during your time off.  Continue reading . . .

Article by Sara Sutton Fell and courtesy of Salary.com