4 Ways to Make More Money Now

Growing up, you were probably taught that hard work and dedication would get you to the top, and that you would be paid what you were worth if you did your job well. This works fine, but wouldn't you like to put yourself on the next level when it comes to earning power? You may be leaving money on the table if you don't take charge of your financial future now.



If you are currently employed, don't be afraid to ask for that raise you deserve. Most of us wait to be given a raise, but you can do a lot better if you do some research, lay out a case for yourself, and ask for what you want. It costs a company much more to hire and train a new employee than it does to keep a good one on staff.



"The key is to make a good case for yourself all the time," says Bill Coleman, Senior Vice President of Compensation at Salary.com. "Be your own agent and, to some degree, a self-promoter."



If you've been in your job for a number of years and your company has recently hired new staff in similar functions, you may be entitled to an equity adjustment. Ask your supervisor or HR representative to review your salary relative to the new hires. You may find that staying in one job for too long has caused your salary to fall behind average industry pay scales. Your compensation manager may deem it necessary to give you a bump in salary to bring your pay in line with others.



Should your company be unwilling to move the salary needle, it may be time to begin a job search and find company that will pay you what you know you are worth. You can often get a bigger bump in your paycheck of as much as 7 to 10 percent at a new job than the typical 3 to 4 percent annual raise you have been getting.



If you are looking for a new job and want to make sure you negotiate the best deal, consider hiring a pay expert or personal pay consultant. This sounds extravagant, but many mid-level executives have taken this action and found it worthwhile. A pay professional can do extensive research for you, figure out exactly what you should expect, and can even coach you on the finer points of negotiating. They normally stay behind the scenes and most say it's best not to let employers know you have hired a pay coach. These consultants typically receive $200 to $400 an hour and, depending upon the level of the position and complexity of the negotiation, could cost a couple thousand dollars or more.



If this isn't an option for you, keep these four factors in mind as you go it alone to ensure you get a package that really reflects your worth.



Higher Salary Many people think there is just one decision to be made of any offer: You either take it or leave it. However, the first offer you receive is just a starting point. As a valuable candidate, you have the right to negotiate. If you have stellar skills and experience and have wowed the company through the interview process, you should have room to negotiate. The key is knowing what you are worth and what the industry standards are for your position. Do research to find salary information about your field, your market and specific job title.



Signing Bonus If the company isn't willing to up your salary, try negotiating a signing bonus. Signing bonuses are often used to buy out any compensation coming to an employee at his or her former company, such as an end-of-year bonus the employee would have received if he or she was not leaving. A company might be willing to include a signing bonus that is significant to you, a couple thousand dollars or more, but does not really affect the company's bottom line.



Other Bonuses Other bonuses you may be able to get are year-end bonuses or performance bonuses, which are goal-related and negotiated in advance. You and the hiring manager can establish the parameters of performance bonuses and the company will know they will be paying you only if you achieve results. Another option is a retention bonus. If you are taking a risk by joining the company (perhaps you are leaving a well-established organization to start a department at a new company), try to negotiate a retention bonus that you will receive after being with the company for a certain time period. If you are in sales, negotiate sales or commission bonuses, or ask for a higher commission percentage.



Accelerated Performance Review If the company will not increase your starting salary and cannot include a bonus, suggest moving up your first performance and pay review. Performance reviews typically occur after six months to a year, and this is when most employees receive a raise. Try to schedule your first review for three months instead. This will give you a chance to shine and the company a chance to see what a valuable employee you are.



Whatever path you choose to take, make sure you are proactive and stick to your guns. Don't just sit there and let possible financial opportunities pass you by!

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