When you go in for a job interview, the most important thing for you to do is to get the job. Nothing else, right?

Actually, one of the most important things you need to negotiate is your potential salary. Here are a few tips on how to get the job you want and the salary you deserve.

1. Be flexible. Know what the least amount of money you will take, and the amount that you feel you deserve, then be flexible enough to give your boss the option of how much within that range he can pay you. Remember, even though he has read your resume and has interviewed you, he still does not know for sure if your work ethic will be as good as it appears once you actually get the job.

2. Be comfortable, upfront, and sincere. Your boss is going to want you to work and act on the job as well as you do during the interview.

You can’t be a complete angel during the interview, get the job, then do the worst possible job that you could. Just be yourself, and if the person you are is not good enough for the boss, it will save you a miserable job experience anyway. You shouldn’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not to get the job and the salary you feel you deserve.

3. On the other hand, don’t just be sloppy. You have to come across as the real you, but the good, clean, hard working side of you.

Getting a job and a good salary will take a little work, and you need to make a good impression. Going into a job interview with your pajamas on and a bad attitude won’t get you a job period, much less good wages.

4. Don’t just settle. One of the worst things you could do is let your potential employer control you to the point that you take any type of salary that he throws at you.

You have the potential to be a good employee, and you should get the kind of pay that you deserve based on how hard you work and what kind of benefits you will bring to the company. If there’s a job out there that will give you a better salary than this one, you need to find it.

5. Do not be afraid to walk away. If you are not seeing the possibility of the kind of salary you are looking for, remember, you do not have to take the job.

Sometimes, if you act like you’re going to turn down the job offer because of your salary, some potential employers will raise the salary. If not, you are better of finding a job that will give you better, well deserved wages for the work that you do.

Whether you are getting a job or just wanting a pay raise from the job you’ve had for years, these tips will help. Knowing what tactics to use when consulting your boss for a raise will give you better chances to get paid the money you deserve for the ambition and hard work you do.

The typical job seeker will usually decide that they have to find the jobs that are available- – the ones listed on on job boards, in the newspaper, etc. This is a comfortable path to follow; it’s one that we have tried over and over again. It has probably led us to the current position we occupy, or to the previous ones that were held.

If you’re searching for a position, or considering the possibility, wouldn’t you be interested in following a shorter path that will help you uncover the jobs that are available, and the ones that have yet to posted? Of course you would. If we can find ways to make the job search successful – - and shorter – - then all of us would be willing to follow a different path.

In this article, I will provide 3 important steps to follow to help you succeed within your job search, and help to make it a shorter process.

Step 1: Target the company
Make a decision which company aligns with your career interests, path, advancement, goals. Create a list that includes 5 or more companies that you believe match with your goals and background. How do you find these companies? Some may be drawn from your familiarity of the types of businesses and industries in your area (whether local or regional depending on your relocation desires). Some may be currently seeking resumes and have posted available positions. Do the necessary research to review your targeted companies’ background, objectives, position needs.

Step 2: Identify the business need
Using your list of targeted companies, use your research skills to identify the current and prevailing business need. For example, after researching a specific organization, I uncovered that the company had an extensive growth plan to be implemented over the course of five years. Through this company’s website, I was able to uncover a pdf. file that tracked the anticipated staffing needs to ensure the company reached it’s growth goals across the country. From this type of data, you can make general assumptions regarding how someone with your qualifications may fit in with a targeted company’s mission or goals. Through use of the internet, track down company press releases, events, financial information to get as much information as possible.

Step 2: Market yourself BEFORE sending your resume
How do you get into your targeted companies? In cases where the position you’re seeking has been advertised, you may be required to go through a screening-out process with the HR department. In this case, before you send your resume, contact the HR Manager, introduce yourself and your qualifications, and ask if it’s possible to review the company hiring process with you. Ask if the position is still available for interviews. Ask for an email address to send your resume (especially if they requested online applications in the job posting). Additionally, be sure to courteously speak with any administrative staff who handle or forward your calls – - introduce yourself, explain your interest in submitting your resume. Develop the relationship and increase your name recognition prior to submitting your resume. Even if there has not been an advertised position, you can follow the above steps.

These are three key steps which can provide much needed help to get you in front of the right person at your targeted company.

Career Advice: 20 Sure-Fire Ways To Sabotage Your Career by Ramon Greenwood

Sad to say, there are many ways to sabotage a career. Here’s a list of 20 of the most “popular” timebombs identified by career counselors. How many of them have you seen at play in your workplace? Are you endangering your chances for job success by engaging in any of them?

1. Never stand out from the crowd. Adjust your pace to stay in the middle of the pack, not quite the slowest or the fastest, so you won’t attract attention.

2. Believe you are entitled to success and job security. Think that all you have to do is show up.

3. Don’t have a career plan. Wing it. Just believe it will all work out.

4. Never volunteer for extra duty. Never seek greater responsibility. 5. Always resist change and new ideas. Consistently find fault with every new idea before giving due consideration to what’s good about it. Make “We tried that before and it didn’t work” be your mantra.

6. Have no respect for the hierarchy of the organization that employs you. Believe you can have it your way because you are stronger and smarter than the organization. Violate the chain of command.

7. Criticize your associates, especially your boss, Constantly complain about your job and your employer. Be a member of “Ain’t it awful” crowd that gathers around the water cooler. Be sure to tell others all about your personal problems.

8. Gossip. Spread rumors. Especially if they’re negative. Waste your time with idle chatter.

9. Hang out with losers. Put down the winners. Assume their advancement is because they are a favorite of the boss.

10. Don’t update your knowledge and skills. Keep on doing your job as you always have and the person who came before you did it.

11. Be a loner. Believe you don’t need help and support from others. Don’t build and maintain contacts. Don’t seek out a mentor and take advice.

12. Insist on always being right. Have your way or no way.

13. Reject out of hand all criticism. Hold grudges.

14. Never have options in case you lose your job.

15. Never share credit with others for goals achieved. Claim credit for the achievements of others.

16. Arrive late to work and leave early. Never come in on Saturday.

17. Never take risks with new ideas and new opportunities.

18. Try to please everyone and win the trophy as the “most popular kid on the block”.

19. Be the first to second-guess. When things don’t work out as planned, declare “I told you so”.

20. Think everyone is against you.

The career advice is loud and clear: Take a close look at your career. If you are nursing ticking landmines that can wreck your ambitions run, don’t walk, away from them as soon as possible, that is if you want to achieve success.