Scary Salaries

Bob Weinstein is a journalist who covers technology, project management, the workplace and career development.

  Career Development  

Generally speaking, there are three types of candidates in the world of salary negotiations. The first is well networked and in touch with market realities. The second has been with a company for five-plus years and doesn't know what he or she is worth. There are also candidates who don't know the details of their compensation package, which means they won't be able to negotiate intelligently, if at all. Hard to believe, but there are candidates who walk away from companies with perks and benefits they did not know existed.

What kind of a candidate are you? The job market has improved, companies are revving up the production machinery, are beefing up staffs and hiring project managers to manage projects that were put on hold because of budgetary restraints. When a CEO offers you a salary package, make sure it meets your needs. Below is some sound advice for getting the dollars you deserve.

Many technical professionals tend to settle for the first salary offered. Others are uncomfortable with the negotiating process and want to get it over with quickly. Any successful recruiter worth his Porsche will tell you that's the best way to get screwed.

For starters, never expose your current or recent income. Similarly, don't reveal your expected or desired salary level either. Once you expose yourself, you're less efficient at negotiating your …

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