Who doesn’t want to earn more money? No matter what your industry, you could be missing out on a larger paycheck. Sometimes, making more money is easier than you think, so don’t get stuck at your current salary. Here are a few things you can do to boost your earnings:

  • Move to a more lucrative location.

Moving is a big commitment, but if you can do so fairly easily, you might be able to double or triple your salary overnight! In locations where workers in your field are in high demand, you’ll be offered more money. Of course, cost of living might be higher as well, so do your research before you move to figure out where you’ll get the most bang for your buck. Keep in mind also that some companies have overseas job opportunities on a contract basis, where you’ll be paid a much higher amount to work on a project in the Middle East, Asia, or other locations.

  • Take advantage of employer education programs.

Going back to college for further education might be expensive, but your employer might provide free training in your field. In some cases, manufacturers in your field might also provide free classes, since they want to demonstrate products. For example, if you work as a hair stylist, companies that sell beauty products often offer cutting classes where they use their products in order to convince you to use them in your salon. No matter what your industry, take a few classes and you’ll be able to make more money.

  • Ask for a raise.

Asking for a raise can be nerve-wracking, but if you’ve been working for over a year without one and you feel like you’re doing a better job or taking on more work, you’re justified in having this conversation with your boss. Sometimes, it is nothing person – your boss perhaps just didn’t realize you should get more money. The worst someone can say is no – so don’t be afraid to ask!

We’re not very far into 2012, so if you haven’t written up your New Year’s resolutions, you still have time to add one: Improve personal image.

Ouch. I didn’t mean anyone in particular – just most people in general. Double ouch. Here’s the thing. I’ve noticed that while we’ve been adopting a more casual look overall, we’ve lost touch with a basic idea from the past: If you look good at work, you’re more likely to be taken seriously.

Good, as in professional and well-groomed, that is. Not good as in goooooood. If you look "hot," then you’re looking too good for work and it’s time to rethink things. Here are 5 pitfalls to eliminate or improve if they happen to tell your story.

1. Bizarre or outdated eyewear. This can be expensive, but if you’ve got the wrong eyewear for your work,  you should get new eyeglasses. If all someone can remember about you is what you had on your nose, it’s probably too prominent for your workplace.

2. Ditto for tattoos and piercings. Of course these are personal expression, etc. But some things are better expressed in some settings than in others. Again, figure out if you’re "saying the right thing" and adjust accordingly.

3. Hair that’s not doing you any favors. In this case I’m talking about the hair on your head, but if you’re thinking of eyebrows, nostrils, ears or whiskers, then you already know what you have to do. In the case of hairstyle, the first thing to consider is whether you look neat and cared for. The wild-animal look isn’t right for most work settings. Hair color and cut are also considerations, with the best styles being those that don’t raise questions about your competence.

4. Clothing. Yep, you should definitely wear clothing. The question is what? You’ve heard you should dress for your next promotion and that’s actually pretty smart. It’s always good to look like you can handle more responsibility. No matter what you’re wearing, you’ll want to wash it frequently, and sew up the holes when they appear.

5. All the other stuff. Smelly cologne, clownish makeup, dirty fingernails – there are a ton of other things I could mention here. I’ll just sum up by advising this: It all matters more than you think. If you pay attention to your image you’ll be rewarded in the end. I promise.

Online Job Hunting and Privacy

January 10, 2012

Searching for a job is a lot easier with online resources, like the JobMonkey Job Center. However, if you plan to post your resume online or apply to a job through an online application process, you need to know a few tips about keeping your information private to protect yourself. Keep the following in mind: [...]

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Small Businesses Have to Build Their Own Safety Net

January 10, 2012

I run a small business, which means I’m always scanning the horizon for threats. In some ways, this isn’t a very nice way to live one’s life; it can seem as if you’re always focused on the bad possibilities instead of the good. Still, who can take a chance? If my landlord sells the building, [...]

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Four Employment Trends in 2012 – and What They Mean to You

January 3, 2012

Recently, Career Builder reported on four employment trends they’re seeing for 2012. They are as follows: Compensation Getting More Competitive for Skilled Positions Voluntary Turnover on the Rise Training Employed/Unemployed Employers Targeting Hispanic Workers, African American Workers and Women Let’s take a closer look at what these trends in employment mean for you as a [...]

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Career Resolutions for 2012

January 1, 2012

Now that it’s 2012, it’s time to make some resolutions for the upcoming year! In addition to setting goals for a shrinking waistline and giving up the cigarettes, it’s also time to make some resolutions about your career. Last week, Amy wrote about challenging yourself in the new year. Today, I want to talk about [...]

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Time to Try Something New – Challenge Yourself in the New Year

December 27, 2011

Happy New Year! Are you ready for something new and exciting? Yes?!! Good – because you’re going to have to engineer it yourself. So the more ready you are, the more capable you’ll feel of directing your energies toward the amazing adventure the next year can be. First, you’ll need a little time to plan [...]

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Top Jobs for Women in 2012

December 19, 2011

Recently, the Department of Labor released their list of the top jobs for women in 2012. Some of their picks might surprise you! Here are some of the positions on their list: Post-Secondary Teacher Anthropologist Oceanographer Natural Sciences Manager Clergy Member Jobs were ranked by factors such as expected growth in the coming years, median [...]

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