Today, we’re talking about a topic that affects all of us – salary. To be specific, there is an escalation in yearly salary expectations all around the United States.
Recent studies shine a light on this. Can you believe that since 2010, the average American’s salary has increased by about 31.2%?
But why? Three big reasons – inflation, higher cost of living, and growing job skills. Now, let’s find ways to give your earnings a big boost.
Your career’s worth is far more profound than just a numerical figure on your paycheck. What we’re talking about here is the recognition of your unique blend of skills, your rich tapestry of experiences, and the depth and breadth of your educational foundation!
Can’t quite visualize it? Think of it in terms of a jigsaw puzzle.
Your skills are the unique, interlocking edges, your experiences are the corner pieces that shape your perspective, and your education fills in the middle, creating an unforgettable image that speaks to your unique worth.
But here comes the slightly tricky yet undeniably fascinating part: assessing the worth of your specific role within your particular industry.
To do this, hit Google and browse into career estimate platforms like Glassdoor and Payscale. They’re pretty awesome.
Also, never underestimate one-on-one chats with your peers. The result? You become the proud owner of a secret weapon laser-targeted towards your salary growth!
Key Takeaway: Understanding your worth is a crucial step in being able to negotiate and increase your salary. Utilize online tools and speak with peers to get an accurate assessment of the value of your role within your industry.
It’s time to significantly boost your skills level. Visualize this: It’s like adding turbo for the rocket that’s going to catapult your career into unexplored heights.
This isn’t just about instant gratification. Perks? They are bountiful, and they’re long-term. Lifelong learning isn’t just a trendy term flung around in high-end corporate meetings. It’s an actual strategy for future-proofing your career!
Lifelong learning keeps you:
Stats and research back this up. Over half of U.S. adults (72%) engaged in some form of lifelong learning to improve their job skills or competency in 2016, according to the Pew Research Center.
And what’s more interesting is the kind of skills currently setting the job market ablaze: computer coding, data literacy, and digital marketing prowess. Now, these are the golden tickets! Today, skilled coders make an average salary of $85,000. Meanwhile, 36% of business leaders say that data literacy is crucial for their future workforce. As for digital marketing, the demand for specialists is so high that there have been projected to be 150,000 digital jobs in the U.S. in 2020, but not enough professionals to fill them.
So, how do you do it?
Key Takeaway: Enhancing your skillset gives you an edge in the job market – both now and for the future. Get involved with courses reading materials, or even just explore outside of your comfort zone to expand your range of knowledge and expertise.
The power of building professional relationships is game-changing.
It’s not just about collecting connections, though. You need to share your knowledge and learn from others. Offer help and find ways to be helped.
This is the alchemy that leads to the creation of strong bonds and, consequently, better job opportunities and skyrocketing salaries.
Still curious? No worries, here’s the answer: Network at conferences webinars, and participate enthusiastically in industry forums. These platforms are nothing short of magic when it comes to unraveling opportunities. Networking really does wonders!
Key Takeaway: Effective networking is a key factor in opening up career opportunities and increasing your salary. Attend conferences, webinars, or participate in industry forums to build strong relationships with others in the field and uncover new job possibilities.
Contrary to popular belief, it hasn’t been patented by lawyers or corner office executives. Your salary, your benefits, your future: these are things that need negotiation!
The ultimate objective of negotiation is simple. Crafting a win-win scenario.
And to hit a home run on this one, you need preparation. Keep the tone of your market value running in your head, and understand your company’s financial climate.
Prime yourself to present your case with the right mix of confidence and humbleness. Important: Timing plays a critical role; pick your moment very carefully.
And remember, you should always negotiate; don’t dictate.
Key Takeaway: Negotiation is a powerful tool and does not need to be exclusive to only lawyers or executives. Be prepared, have a confident but humble tone, and remember to negotiate – don’t dictate – for the best result when discussing your salary.
How about some out-of-the-box thinking? Look beyond your 9-5 job.
Side hustles are not just trendy buzzwords; they pack some serious power. Bountiful opportunities are just lurking around the corner.
Writing, graphic design, private tutoring, even selling handmade crafts online. Each of these has the potential to be a mighty river contributing to your income stream.
Key Takeaway: Consider side hustles to supplement your income and open up new opportunities. There is a range of options available, from writing and graphic design to selling handmade crafts online – all of which can contribute greatly to your salary.
There you have it. These five steps hold the power to push your earnings to an all-time high. You’re holding the steering wheel. If you can position yourself right and do them, you are in a good direction.