Leading up to Salary Negotiation Week, we surveyed more than 1,000 people on several different topics related to salary negotiation. We had readers answer some questions regarding their experiences asking for raises, and what they're afraid of when it comes to negotiating salary. Here is input from an actual Salary.com reader, and our subsequent advice.Job Title: Director of CreativeCity: DurangoState: COCurrent Salary: $48,000Last Raise: 10/2011Company Size: 50What is motivating you to ask for a raise? I negotiated my starting salary but have not asked for a raise since. I have proven results... view article details

In looking to negotiate the highest salary, the logic might look like this: In order to be in a position to negotiate, you need to have an offer. To receive an offer, you need to get the interview. The best way to secure an interview is through networking. And with more than 300 million members worldwide, LinkedIn.com is the top source for job seekers to build out their professional network online.Whether you’re in job search mode or not, with more than 2 new members joining LinkedIn every second, it’s likely that a new request to connect is hitting your inbox on a regular basis.How do you dea... view article details

Today's high unemployment rates mean that more people than ever are experiencing joblessness, and for longer periods of time.While being without a job is not ideal, you can use the time for self-discovery, to open doors, to make yourself more marketable, and to expand your experiences.This article shows you how to make the most of unemployment, by illustrating 7 dos and 7 don'ts.Do focus on the present and live in the "now" Think about what you can do today to improve your job situation, whether it's buffing up your resume, reaching out to a contact, or doing research on companies you... view article details

10 Jobs That Allow You to Travel for Free Have you ever opened Instagram, scrolled through your feed, and see post after post of the same people in a yet another new exotic location and thought…How can they afford it? How do they have so much vacation time? Is their work-life balance just that good? Wait…what do they do for work anyway and how can I land one of those? The answer could be that they have a job that lets them travel for free. In this article you will learn some potential career paths to get out there, and probably make your followers jealous, too! We w... view article details

Do You Not Play Well with Others? Effective networking is a game-changer. It’s the unofficial homework of today’s business professional. Whether entwined within charitable ventures or business or social clubs, professional connections are far more powerful career-builders than the old school resume. It’s not just 'who you know.' It’s 'who you know who knows who you want to know.'Most of us can navigate a room of name-tagged citizenry with reasonable success. But in this competitive world, why settle for adequacy? Read on for a few of the ways some networkers relegate themselves to the... view article details

How Will Expiring Tax Cuts Affect You? It has been just a few blessed weeks since April 15, when we all emerged from stacks of 1099s and W-2s and declared ourselves ready to forget about taxes for another year. Not so fast. The tax cuts put in place during the previous administration are heading for expiration at the end of this year if Congress doesn't act. Almost everyone agrees that at least some of the cuts should be extended, but the right and the left have profound disagreements about how to proceed. So what does this mean for you? While you should always rely on a tax professio... view article details

Do you know nearly one-fifth of all employees NEVER negotiate their salary when they accept a job? You wouldn't take the first offer from a car dealer or when buying a house, so why would you accept the first offer from your future employer?Jim Hopkinson, author of 'The Salary Tutor: Learn the Secrets of Negotiation No One Ever Taught You,' is this week's guest on Salary Talk, and he's dispensing some great advice on how to prepare for -- and succeed -- in getting hired with an adequate salary that not only pays the bills, but leaves you feeling happy and content in your new position.Starting ... view article details

While our economy appears to be making gains in other areas, unemployment in this country is still hovering around 9.6%, according to the most recent statistics released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor. If you are currently searching for a job, consider taking paths less traveled -- and therefore less crowded. This article explores 14 less conventional ways to land a good job.1. Tailor your message to potential employers Forget generic resumes and cover letters -- they won’t cut it in today’s competitive environment. Make sure your objective statement is specific to t... view article details

There has never been a better time to plan your career path. In today’s war for talent, there are more job vacancies than unemployed individuals to fill them. Career growth will certainly evolve in the future. A report by Dell Technologies estimates that 85% of the jobs today’s learners will be doing in 2030 haven't even been invented yet – good luck future Marty McFly! So whether your plan for career growth in the new year is to enter the workforce for the first time, move into a more senior role, or make a lateral move, you should start strategizing now. But with so many possibilities, how d... view article details

Dear Jack:I am in the final stage of a job interview and I just received an email from the recruiter who wants to know my current salary and my salary expectations. Please advise.Hello,Recruiters are an exception to the rule of 'postpone salary talk until there's an offer.' You actually score points, so to speak, with them by being candid about salary. On the other hand, you don't want the recruiter's expectations to be low. If you're currently underpaid in your job, you don't want that to diminish your salary.Here's what I suggest. Don't do this by e-mail. Start by calling the recruiter and s... view article details