Career tools

Talking about how much you earn is kind of like talking about how much you weigh. Both are uncomfortable subjects, so you might not always be 100 percent honest about either.  (Who hasn't shaved 10 pounds off their physique or upped their salary by a few thousand dollars when hanging with their rich and skinny friends?) Most of the time, these little white lies are no big deal -- it's not as if your friends are going to ask you get on a scale to verify your  weight.

However, while telling an occasional fib in daily conversation may be a minor offense, lying about your salary history on a job application can be a serious transgression.

"Unlike many soft skills, salaries are finite, concrete numbers ....

In a tough job market, workers often put off thoughts of searching for new employment and stick with their position. But as the economy gets better, studies show that many top employees will leave when they get an opportunity. Not wanting to lose them, current employers may make counteroffers.

But before you become too flattered by thoughts of meaning so much to the company that it can't bear to have you leave, experts recommend carefully weighing your reasons for staying versus going. Below are some things to consider when presented with a counteroffer.

A counteroffer may be in the company's best interest, not yours.

"After recruiting folks in this field for almost 18 years, I can unequ....

The employment market is still extremely tough, even for highly skilled individuals. The level of competition among job seekers has caused many professionals to consider applying for positions for which they may consider themselves overqualified. Sometimes, this approach may seem like the only way to land a job at all.

But should you do the same? Following are some pros and cons to help you decide whether you should seek a position that may not offer the money or prestige of your former job. 

Pro: You can make a mark

If you take a job that you may perceive as a step down from where your career had been, one thing is virtually guaranteed: You won't be overlooked. Chances are you c....

While some employment opportunities state in black and white what wage an applicant can expect if hired, other positions are grayer in terms of salary. Talking about money with a potential employer might feel a bit awkward, but coming to terms that leave both sides content is crucial. Below, experts offer suggestions on how to prepare for salary negotiations.

Timing

Not wanting to look like they are only in it for the money, job seekers often hesitate to break the ice on the issue of salary. Is it OK for a candidate to bring up the topic?

"I get asked this question by friends all the time, and the honest answer is that it depends entirely on the position," says Paul Peterson, national ta....

That the job market has been tough for the past two years is no secret. Job seekers suddenly struggled to find work and find industries that offered some security. Many of these people became job seekers after their companies began laying off workers, not because they wanted to change jobs.

As a result, education became the best option for many job seekers who wanted to improve their résumés and gain a competitive edge in their hunts. Although earning a degree is an excellent move for several reasons, it's not the best choice for everyone. For one thing, education is expensive. If your problem is that you need to get a job in order to pay bills, school might not be your answer. Earning a degree is also tim....