With the ongoing flow of media attention sharing what celebrities and athletes earn, do you ever wonder about your own worth in the marketplace?
For many, in the past decade wages have stagnated, and the pay and benefits of workers and service providers have been challenged. With unemployment still around 9 percent, many workers are taking pay cuts to keep their jobs or accepting lower pay in order to get work.
To determine the going rate for the skills you offer, you'll need to do some research. Online resources provide salary calculators along with job search tips, such as how to negotiate. Some websites to explore include:
Trade associations are another good source of information. These often offer salary surveys, networking opportunities and job leads to aid in your search.
These resources won't provide exact amounts, but offer salary ranges and estimations. There are many factors and considerations which can influence your earnings potential, including:
Credentials - An advanced degree, certifications, licensing and extra training can increase your earning power.
Experience - The more years in your field, the higher the salary you may be able to get.
Location - While you might be able to earn more in a big city, keep in mind that your cost-of-living may also be higher. Many organizations will base their salaries to be competitive to where you live, not the national average.
Demand - Certain careers are in higher demand than others. The basic laws of economics apply. The higher the demand and lower the supply, the more something is worth. In this case, that "something" is you and the skills you bring to a job. According to msnbc.com some jobs in high demand include nurses, accountants and software engineers.
For young adults entering the workforce as well as others in a job search, LinkedIn is a good place to present skills and look for networking opportunities, suggests Debbie, a consultant with more than 20 years' experience as a corporate recruiter.
"Make a cold call to a high-level manager in a field you're interested in, and ask for a 20-minute informational interview," she recommends. "Most people are flattered, and will give you valuable information on what skills you need and your long-term earnings potential."
Remember, too, there can be more to work than a paycheck. "Find work that will also unleash your passion and use your best traits to their fullest," Debbie advises.