by Aster C. Lilly

Created on: January 20, 2009

Eight hundred dollars, forty hours of work. There has to be a way to squeeze the most out of this day job.

Making more money seems like a difficult task, but there are a few simple ways to make the most out of your occupation. I'll categorize this into a few distinct categories, and explain how to leverage these into higher paychecks. These might be frowned upon by your supervisor, so be forewarned.

1. Overtime

If you earn an hourly wage, your time is the most valuable asset you have to offer the company. Most jobs will allow you to clock in a few minutes early each day. In fact, this may improve your relations with the company, as well as earn you more money. Don't be a tardy-bird.

Theoretically, if I earn ten dollars an hour, clock in fifteen minutes early every day, I am creating one hour and fifteen minutes of overtime. This overtime pay adds up over the course of the year. Twenty extra dollars every paycheck translates into almost four-hundred dollars in a year.

If overtime is an issue with your supervisor, you may want to inquire about extra time. Many jobs would love to squeeze more work out of their employees, and would not mind having you work an extra shift.

2. Squeezing Sales Quotas

If you are in a sales position, there are several ways to earn extra bonus or commission. One of the best ways to earn an extra bonus is to compound your monthly quota.

By this, I simply mean to make the majority of your sales at the end of the month, and squeeze the time frame of the quota system so that you earn a large amount in that sales period.

This idea may not work well in the long-term, but in a pinch, it is possible to earn a larger bonus with higher sales.

Secondly, it is possible to initiate more sales during this time frame. Simply focus on contacting a higher-number of customers. Focus on creating a 'buzz' around your selling points. With a higher sales production, usually it is possible to earn higher bonuses.

3. Ask for a Raise

There is always a demand for employees. Employers must offer a competitive wage or lose their employee to a higher-paying competitor.

If you visit one of the resume-building or job placement websites (ne Monster.com, yahoo jobs, or even craigslist), you will realize that there is a standard offer for new employees based on experience, skills, and certifications. Monster.com even offers a salary-comparison sheet to demonstrate what other people who perform your same occupation earn on a yearly basis. Some industries pay better than others, so it may be ambiguous what you should be earning in your geographic area.

With a little guts and some proof of your hard work at your current job, it is possible to ask your boss for a raise. At the very least, you can ask for a review.

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