Negotiating a fair and practical salary....

Negotiating a fair and practical salary is a critical step in the job search process, and one that can be navigated smoothly if you know what to do -- and what not to do. Beware of common mistakes.

Not doing your homework.
Before you go to an interview, you need to determine your desired salary range. It is impossible to do so if you do not know your industry. Research typical salaries for someone with similar experience in your industry. There are a wide variety of resources available that can help you determine median salaries and ranges for your position and years of experience. Without doing this, you will be virtually unarmed to present a case for the salary you request.


Neglecting to think carefully about your needs.
Just as researching your industry is important, it's also vital that you do a bit of self reflection. If you never stop to think about what income you need, you may end up taking an offer that leaves you pinching pennies. Before interviewing, ask yourself some important questions. How much do you need to pay your basic expenses, such as rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, and car payment? What kind of salary do you need to live a comfortable life that allows you to enjoy yourself? What is the lowest salary you will consider? How much do you need to be able to save for the future?


Laying all of your cards on the table.
Negotiating a salary is like playing a card game. You need to gauge the other person's intentions without giving away all of your secrets. While job applications and interviewers may ask you to name a salary requirement, always avoid providing a number. However, many prospective employees feel pressured into doing so in an interview. That's why you need to be prepared to answer the question: "What kind of salary are you looking for?" Try to use answers such as "I'm sure that if I do receive an offer, it will be fair and reasonable," or "I will consider any reasonable offer." If pressed for a number, give a range rather than a specific. The bottom of your range should be the minimum you must make, with the top being a bit higher than your ideal.


Forgetting about other benefits.
When you receive a job offer, it is important to consider the offer in its entirety. This means paying attention to the company's medical and dental plan, vacation package, retirement benefits, and other perks. If the company cannot meet your salary requirements, it may be able to make it up to you in other ways, such as stock options or additional vacation time.


Believing that you don't have the right to ask for more.
A company is not going to offer you the highest salary they'd be willing to pay right off the bat, and most companies expect candidates to come back with a counter offer. If you have done your research and have supporting information to back up your salary wishes, don't be afraid to let the company know that you would like something higher.


However, don't make the mistake of playing hardball, thinking you are irreplaceable, or being unwilling to negotiate. If you receive a low offer, thank the company for the offer, let them know that you are excited about the position, and politely and respectfully request a higher salary. The worst the company can say is no, and you never know what will happen until you ask.

The bottom line is that salary negotiations, like anything else, need to be done respectfully and kept in perspective. But if you do your research, set your boundaries, and always know how to handle the tough questions, chances are you will end up with an offer that works for you and the company.


Salary Range Calculator
In order to conduct an educated salary negotiation during an interview please visit www.salary.com www.payscale.com

Review the salary amount for the position that is one position below the position that you are applying for and take a look at the salary that is above the position that you are applying for and you should be able to see the range that is negotiable.

The example salaries are general and not based on experience
Administrative Assistant 32,500
Executive Assistant 38,600
Office Manager 44,500

Your choice w/ experience 38,600-42,000

Four Stages of Business..........

Starting A Business

Starting a business is one of the most exciting journeys an individual can take. Over ten million people each year consider starting a business. As a result, more than three million new small businesses are started annually. Entrepreneurship offers numerous rewards, but it also presents many challenges. Understanding these challenges and careful business planning can help a new business succeed.


Managing

The success of any business is closely related to how well the business is managed. Good management is the root source of business growth. Managing your business should not be considered an academic exercise. Rather, it is the real-world application of strong leadership, a positive attitude, solid business knowledge, and good people skills. It is the ability to influence and make decisions; and it is the ability to inspire and lead others. Acquiring good management skills is essential for the success like putting money in the bank.


Marketing

Few things are more exciting than expanding a business. Whether you want your business to grow in size or remain small but successful, growth is critical. Business growth assumes you have made it through the early start-up phases and are now ready to expand. It is a period where you can spread your wings and look for new business horizons. However, like earlier stages of development, growing a business requires solid preparation, steadfast commitment and a willingness to take calculated risks. There are many resources that can assist you in expanding your business.


Exit Strategy

Exiting a business is a reality that should be considered and planned for during the early stages of a business. Such preparations will require development of contingency plans for events that may never happen. Planning for getting out of a business is just as important as the planning required for starting a business. A solid, well thought out exit strategy can save time, money, and a great deal of frustration in the future.