The JOB BLOG: How Much am I Worth? Salary Tips

Let’s talk turkey (no pun intended)… Many of my clients fear the dreaded “how much are you looking to make” question.  You know how much you need to make, how much you want to make, but how do you make sure you don’t price yourself out of the job.

I ask people the salary question every day; it’s one of my first questions.  It tells me a lot about people.  Of course everyone wants to make as much as possible, but let’s be realistic.

I have a good idea of what you should be making based on your current salary.  Most people who are taking the next step in their career will be getting around a 10% increase, within reason.  People who are looking to get back in the work force can expect typically to be a little less than they were before they were laid off, or about the same. 

About 1 out of every 20 people tell me “well it depends on the job they want me to do”.  That is a huge red flag to recruiters and employers – it can make candidate look lazy.  You should expect to get paid based on your experience and your expertise, not on how hard you are expected to work. 

Travel is a realistic variable.  If you are making a long commute, and are offered a job closer to home, but less money, it probably makes sense.  Take the commute into account when answering.  Its always best to give a range as opposed to one number - "I am currently making $45k, I want to make as much as possible, but I want to be realistic."  My suggestion, go with $48-58k.

The Job Blogger - Matt Bergin – is a local recruiter with Liberty Personnel.

You can find him on Linkedin