Wired has put together a Wiki called a “Get Paid What You’re Worth” that lists seven strategies to help you maximize your salary. To start off, use a salary calculator or report to get a ballpark estimate of the going rate in your area, and remember that you have to learn to negotiate if you want to make more money.

When it comes to negotiations, here are some guidelines:

• Don’t offer up salary information easily. If you’re asked to list a desired salary, mention that it’s negotiable. If asked to list your current salary, explain that you’ll give that during an interview.
• Don’t accept a job offer at the end of the first interview. You’ll want to talk about all that stuff at a second interview, which will also give you time to decide whether you’re willing to walk away from negotiations. This also buys you more time to consider counter offers.
• Don’t bring up salary. Let the interviewer start the discussion.
• Remember that the power lies with the side willing to walk away. Figure out what you’re willing to do before you begin negotiations.
• Don’t justify why you want more money. An experienced interviewer or HR person might use that as an arguing point.
• Don’t give an answer right away. You need time to think over the offer, and compare it to other offers. You also need time to investigate any future earnings offers that were made to offset the base salary.

Because it’s a Wiki, the content may change as more tips are added to it. If you’re currently searching for a new job you might want to bookmark the page and check back every once in a while.

“Get Paid What You’re Worth” [Wired]

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