Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring: Take Charge of Your Career, Find a Job You Love, and Earn What You Deserve

Chapter 69. The Number-One Most Important Salary Negotiating Fact

I'm going to have to draw you a picture of this point and burn it into your long-term memory — it's that important:

That's right. There is no connection between your old salary and your new salary. Your old salary is based on the past — different job, different company, different circumstance, different experience level, different time, different product, different everything.

Note

There is no connection between your old salary and your new salary.

Of course, employers will try to use salary as a screening mechanism, but that doesn't mean you have to let them. Don't let the prospective employer tie your new salary (currently under negotiation) to your old salary in any way, shape, or form. Each time this happens, you, the candidate, will lose. And the sad thing is that this unfortunate situation is completely preventable.

Look Beyond the Money

When you're deep into negotiations, and you're doing well, remember to ask the big question: Is this the right fit? The fit of a job is of paramount importance, even in a terrible job market. Thinkagain about all the factors that brought you this far. Does everything fit — your background, personality, strengths, interests, passions, and capabilities? Will you enjoy working at this job in six weeks, six months, six years? Think about such factors as:

• Compensation

• Location

• Industry

• Product ...