Make $10,000 more a year AT your current job
Have you ever experienced "Too much Month at the End of the Money?"

As a Headhunter, I've always found it surprising how many employees choose to accept the meager 3, 4 or 5% "Raises" we're given on a yearly basis, and sometimes not even that! In today's fast-paced economy the cost to simply maintain your standard of living sometimes outpaces our earnings! With inflation in America averaging 4.5% and our employees' average "pay raise" at 3.4%, that's a LOWER, not a raise.

Know this, an employer only pays you just enough to keep you from quitting.

A simple way to level the playing field is to discover your skills worth in the current marketplace, and then leverage that against what you already have.

It should look something like this:

Using the Searching Tips I give in my book, it's important to first figure out what the average person in you field, position AND geographical area earn on a yearly basis.

Then begin a using the Two-Prong approach to submit to open positions you're qualified for. Again, you'll need to create a new, temporary email addresses while you're creating interest, so as not to accidentally show your hand to your current employer, in this game of "Pay Rate Poker". On your cover letter, I would encourage you ONLY IN THIS SCENARIO to list your salary desired. Do ask for $10,000 annually more than you currently make. It assures you that the potential employer is truly willing to make an offer, within you salary request.

Then, over the course of two or three weeks, you should begin receiving invitations to interview, as wages higher than what you're currently making. Whether or not you decide to interview is up to you, but remember, the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. And it still needs to be moved, no less. You're goal is simply more money, not a new job. All you are looking for is documentation to your current employer, that a request for a $10,000 pay raise is founded on fact.

Once you've gathered 2, 3 or four offers you should be in a position to make a valid request to your superiors. And because your manager, most likely will need approval, now you've given him or her the leverage tools to make it happen.

Two additional points I need to be very clear on.

First, your employer my truly not be able to afford $10,000 more a year, so be prepared to negotiate.

Secondly, don't burn the bridges with the offers you were given. In our everchanging job market, you might need those contacts later (or sooner, if the case be), so use them to your advantage.

Good luck to you dear reader, becasue you ARE worth more!

Learn more about this author, Brian Dooley.
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