When the news is full of articles about a jobless recovery and lower salaries and companies continuing to lay off, does it make sense to negotiate for a higher salary?

You bet it does!

An increased salary is not only more money in your bank account every pay period, it's more money in your 401K if your new company matches what you're putting aside. As I like to say, "Your career funds your life." Your family depends on your income, and they depend on that income going up over time. So why not try to secure more from the start, for a more solid financial foundation?

Will the company automatically withdraw the offer if you say "Let's talk about that salary figure"? Rarely. Companies expect some negotiating on the part of candidates, so you won't offend them. Also, they have another figure in mind that is their "top" for this position, and they rarely start with that figure but one a little -- or a lot -- lower.

It's HOW you do the negotiating that counts, however. Don't assume that just because you want a higher salary than you made on your last job or currently make, that this new employer "owes" you more money. You still have to show why you're worth the increase. Focus on the VALUE that you bring to the new organization.

Most importantly, always negotiate with an "everyone here can win" mindset. Belittling their offer or asking for too many benefits or perks can hurt you, and meek acceptance of what's offered without exploring it further often means you will always wonder if you could have started at a higher level.

If salary negotiations don't go far, your Plan B could be to ask for something else, such as tuition reimbursement (a rapidly disappearing benefit today), more unpaid vacation time, or an instant 6 months' seniority, for example. While these all represent costs, they are not always tied to a department's budget, so there's often more flexibility around them.

So don't assume you can't ask for more. Do it well, and you just may start that new job with even more in your bank account than you expected -- and new respect for yourself as a negotiator.

Our congratulations to three clients who have landed great jobs in the last few weeks: Garth G., Alan S., and Peter B. You all worked hard at networking and that is what led each of you ultimately to your new positions. Your new employers are so lucky to have you!

Thank you for your referrals. All our clients come to us via word of mouth, and we appreciate your endorsement of us. In specific, we'd like to thank:
Stacy, Estelle, Scott, Gene, Chad, Pete, Eric, Chuck, and others who have wanted to see their friends and family members land a great job sooner.

Does your career and/or job search need more momentum? Is your job search going nowhere fast? Why let more time go by with no salary or a too-low salary? Find out what's right AND what's wrong during a Quick Consult with the Queen. This 1 1/2 to 2-hour session gives you concrete steps to follow for getting unstuck. It also gives you practical insights into what YOU bring a new employer, knowledge about what sets you apart from the crowd of other candidates. The fee is $175 and the results are priceless!

And if you choose to work with one of us on these steps, that fee is applicable to your search project. Joanne Meehl and Career Consultant Kelly Oslund do Quick Consults in person or over the phone. Call or email us today to schedule yours.

Free webinars about job search from one of the leading career consulting companies in the US? Yes...Jack Chapman is a leader in the field, and his company is offering these sessions because he wants those of you in job search to know what high-quality career services are like. And naturally, he wants to create a buzz!

Topics include salary negotiation, resumes, interviews, time management, e-networking, and others.

Interested? Click the link at the end of this article to get to the site and to sign up. Be sure to tell him we sent you.

Want some tips about career choice and job search from Joanne, without leaving your keyboard? Go to her home page, and scroll down to the media links. Joanne's been in the news and the clips (the longest is 6 minutes) have many tips you can use.