And if you are one of the few that has managed to wrangle a job offer, but want to take up the salary offered, up- just a notch, then here are some ideas from the folks over at careermag.com.

Consider the following tips:

Create a Strategy – Set guidelines for yourself on what you deem acceptable. Don’t forget, it is important not to look at salary alone. You should factor in and rate other important attributes such as commute time, career advancement, etc. Have your limits in mind and know what you want, what you expect, and what you will settle for.

Do your Homework – The key to a successful salary negotiation is preparation. Research your market worth to determine what a person with your skills, education and qualifications is earning in your area.

Convince the Interviewer That They Need You – When you begin the negotiation process, position yourself as a “must have” candidate. Be prepared to confidently boast your skills and achievements to demonstrate your value, but at the same time not show desperation that you NEED the job. This will give you more leverage at the negotiation table.

Wait to Talk Numbers – Gauge the employer’s interest in you before you start talking numbers. If the employer is interested, they will reveal the level of compensation they are willing to offer. The salary you received in the past is your bargaining chip, so don’t disclose these numbers too soon. If the interviewer does raise the question of salary before you have received an offer, try to return the question to them by asking what they are expecting to pay someone with your qualifications. If that doesn’t work, give them a range that you are comfortable with based on the research you have already conducted.

Get the Offer In Writing – Don’t start negotiating until you have received an offer in writing. Job offer terms are not always crystal clear, so before you officially accept, examine the job from all angles. Make sure you take into consideration the additional benefits that can add as much as forty percent to your base salary. Don’t feel pressured to immediately respond to an offer.

Practice with Multiple Job Offers – Refine your negotiation skills by practicing your negotiation strategy with companies that extend an offer that you most likely would not consider. You never know, your great negotiation skills may turn a “not so good” offer into a great offer.

Stay Strong and Stay Professional – It is important to remain professional throughout any negotiation process, despite all of the feelings that you may be experiencing. Remain calm, cool, collected and confident.

Broaching the subject of salary is never easy. Ask for too much and you can be seen as money hungry. Ask for too little and you can risk earning less than what you deserve. Knowing how much you are worth is a simple, yet critical step in your job search process.

I had confidently stated, that if I were a brand like the ones we ogle at in stores, then I would most certainly be a high value, deeply coveted luxury brand a la Louis Vuitton or a Gucci.

My pal (who has since been discarded) said “Nope! You are more like an H&M. easy, reliable, but a little low on the value chain.”

So, how does one up one’s brand? And how does one market oneself as a high value brand, to be procured and paraded in the workplace?

Check out these ideas by careermag. com.

Increase Your Visibility

The first step towards building your personal brand is to get your name out there. The best way to establish a presence in your field is by attending industry meetings and conferences, participating in panel discussions or volunteering for committees. You never know when your contacts will be able to help you along your job search.

Stay Connected

It is important to stay in touch with old contacts as well as continue to build and maintain your current network on a regular basis. Don’t be someone who reaches out to contacts only when they need something. Foster those relationships, especially the important ones!

Create an Online Presence

Take professional networking to the next level by joining online social networking sites. Consider starting a blog on your area of expertise or creating a website that showcases samples of your work. Make an effort to meet other professionals online by commenting on relevant blogs or connecting with professionals through their social networking profile.

Consider creating an online career portfolio and remember to manage your online reputation to ensure you are always presenting yourself in a positive, professional manner when interacting online.

Establish Key Differentiators

Identify what makes you distinctive from other candidates and make sure to communicate it to potential employers. It is important to be honest about who you are as a professional and understand your strengths and unique value you bring to the table. It’s also important to recognize your weaknesses and develop a plan for personal improvement. By knowing yourself, you can more effectively promote yourself to others.

Be Consistent

Ensure that you have a consistent message when speaking with potential employers, colleagues and other professionals. While you may not realize it, everything that you do or say contributes to your personal brand, including the way you conduct yourself in meetings, in phone conversations, through email communications and how you dress.

Seek Feedback and Evaluate Progress

Once you have established your personal brand, it is important to continue to gauge how others perceive you. Test your market value by gathering constructive feedback from your co-workers, peers, family and friends. By understanding how others view your personal brand, you can learn what steps you need to take to position yourself for success.

Market Yourself

Developing your personal brand is one of the first steps towards effectively marketing yourself to potential employers and elevating your career. Employers appreciate job seekers that take the initiative to get noticed and differentiate themselves from other candidates in their industry.

There! Go forth, my friends – upgrade, upgrade, upgrade! Don’t fly cattle class anymore- the business lounge awaits you.

It is that time of the week again! Free unsolicited advice!

Thanks to our friends over at CareerMag.com, here’s some cool tips on how to build a professional online image.

As a job seeker, it is important to maintain a professional image throughout your job search and career. Below are a few steps that you can take to create a positive and professional online image:

* Join Online Professional Networks – Online professional networking sites are a great way to develop and extend your network of trusted contacts. With millions of business professionals now networking online, you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity. In addition, your networking profile can double as an online resume and can help you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners that may lead to a potential job opportunity.

* Expand Your Online Exposure – Once you have created a social networking profile, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will be easily found on the internet. It is important to complete your profile to its fullest extent and consider using Search Engine Optimization techniques through keyword placement and links to ensure your profile is highly ranked among search engines and you are getting noticed by potential employers.

* Create an Online Career Portfolio – A fast and easy way to create a positive online presence is by creating a career portfolio that showcases your resume and other relevant career-related information. By giving employers an opportunity to learn more about you online, it can help distinguish you from other candidates and give you an extra edge.

* Avoid Unprofessional Content and Pictures – Review and monitor any social networking sites you have subscribed to, in order to be sure that you are presenting yourself in a positive manner. Remember to pay attention to tagged photos and content that you did not necessarily post, but can be equally damaging. Employers will review these sites and you will want to make a good impression. When in doubt, be conservative!

But, we at indiejourno.com are positive, you will hear something positive soon enough. And when that happens, we want you to be prepared. So, here is some dope on how to ace that interview when you get a call. The info, courtesy, careermag.com.

1. Conduct Research – It’s important to be confident and prepared. Conduct research on companies of interest before applying to a job or showing up for an interview. By understanding and showing interest in the company, you can customize your pitch, demonstrate the value you will bring to the organization and confidently convince employers that you are the right candidate.

2. Practice Interviewing – Prepare for an interview by running through commonly asked interview questions. Understand that interviewing is a skill and as with any skill, practice makes perfect!

3. Dress Professionally –When you are on an interview, you are marketing yourself as the best candidate for the job, so it’s important to dress professionally. Appropriate attire and good personal hygiene demonstrates that you are not only willing to take that extra step to look your best but also do your best.

4. Make a Positive First Impression – First impressions are critical. Arrive early, give a firm handshake and make eye contact throughout the interview. It is important to be confident, but most importantly, be yourself!

5. Go Beyond the Canned Response – Behavioral interviewing is an ever-growing interview technique. Rather than merely telling the interviewer what you would do in a situation, demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities by giving specific examples from past work experiences.

6. Ask Questions – Express interest and willingness to learn about the company by asking questions and listening to details about the organization. This portion of the interview is your chance to shine. Not having any questions for the interviewer can show that you are uninterested and unprepared.

7. Follow Up – Reinforce to the employer that you bring value to their organization by developing a well-written thank you note. A thank you note is an easy and surefire way to show your appreciation, reiterate you are the best candidate and demonstrate your initiative and follow-through. It is also appropriate to make a follow up call, unless instructed otherwise by the employer.