And what about the Pay?

When we begin looking for a new job most of us will also begin to daydream about how much we want to be paid.  I can tell you that I see absolutely nothing wrong with someone paying me $100,000 per year for taste-testing omelets at my local diner.  In fact, it seems quite fair to me; after all, I have been tasting food since the day I was born.  (Smile)  The truth is that no one is going to pay us what we think we deserve for doing most jobs.

When you begin your job search, try to prevent yourself from setting an arbitrary salary level that is too high because doing so will most likely lead to unrealistic expectations.  I want you to avoid setting yourself up for disappointments.

While no one has to be coerced into applying for jobs that pay more than the previous position, depending on your circumstances, you may have to apply for positions that pay only slightly higher or equal to your last salary level.  In certain situations, again depending on your circumstances, you may even have to apply for jobs that pay less than your previous position. 

I am a staunch believer in planning for the worst case scenario because by doing so, I am never disappointed.  

In keeping with this philosophy, decide the absolute minimum amount of income you need in order to maintain a reasonable lifestyle.  This amount will be determined, in part, by totaling your essential monthly expenses.  Generally speaking, essential monthly expenses include mortgage/rent, groceries, and household utilities.  Essential monthly expenses do not include entertainment, dining out, new clothes, or vacations. 

Once you have a figure, use it as your minimum salary benchmark.  Simply put, do not apply for jobs that do not meet your benchmark.  If your figure is reasonable, you will find that it greatly enhances the effectiveness of your efforts by removing unwanted search results.  If your figure is unreasonable (too high), you will find that the resulting job pool is too small to be of use. 

Be very careful and thoughtful in determining your benchmark figure.  Be honest with yourself no matter how it may make you feel. 

Having said all of this, let me close by encouraging you to apply for jobs that pay more than your previous position.  You must believe in yourself and reach for the stars in all things.  Who knows, you may just grab one of those stars and if you do, no one will be more proud of you than I. 

Just believe.

Mark