Don't start a tech startup in a tech hub. Run a business completely unrelated to tech and use your skills to improve that business. Go after the low-hanging fruit.

Apply your technical skills to a non-technical business.

Have you ever felt short-changed after accepting a job offer and discovering that many of your colleagues earn significantly more than you? It's natural to feel like you should have fought harder for a better wage. Negotiating your current salary can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be.

Most people don't understand that they have the power to negotiate their salaries, especially when seeking a new job or asking for a raise. The ability to effectively and confidently negotiate for yourself can help you get ahead in your career journey. Here are several time-tested strategies for increasing your paycheck without burning bridges or making yourself look too pushy. Read on for ten simple ways to negotiate a salary increase!

When it comes to negotiating a raise, knowledge is power. And an essential part of negotiating a raise is doing research. It's important to understand what your current role is worth in the market to ensure you're getting a fair offer. To do this, reach out to recruiters and headhunters, and ask colleagues, friends, and family for feedback on what kind of salary range you should expect. Also, research current salary bands for the job via apps like Glassdoor or PayScale.com and consider additional compensation, such as bonuses and perks, that have a monetary value. This will give you an idea of the average salaries for your position and help you determine if the offer is in line with the market or lower than it should be.

Before the meeting, practice your pitch aloud to ensure you have a steady rhythm and can confidently articulate your points. Make sure you have been at your job for at least a year to demonstrate your value and worthiness of a raise. Showing you are willing to take on new responsibilities is also beneficial in negotiations. Going above and beyond expectations will help prove that you deserve more money.

Knowing what not to say is essential to ensure a successful negotiation process. Avoid making threats or ultimatums, as this could put your current employer on the defensive and make them less likely to give you what you want. Additionally, do not compare yourself to other employees or make any personal attacks against anyone in the company. Lastly, do not accept an offer right away; instead, take some time to think about it before giving an answer.

You should not consider negotiating as a fight but rather as problem-solving. During negotiations, staying professional, gracious, and reasonable is essential to reach a deal that works for both sides. Being overly aggressive can make an offer withdrawn, so it is best to negotiate reasonably and effectively to build relationships and impress prospective employers. Remaining positive and calm during the negotiation process will show that you are confident in your abilities and willing to work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.

Negotiating with the person across the table is an integral part of any business transaction. Understanding the interests and individual concerns of the person you are negotiating with is essential to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. When negotiating with prospective bosses, it is crucial to understand their priorities and how your work contributes to those goals. Taking note of your work that supports those priorities can be helpful when making requests during negotiation. Additionally, it is crucial to be aware that larger requests may require authorization from other stakeholders and could take a significant amount of time.

It is also important to remember that companies negotiate with people, not organizations. Therefore, building rapport and trust between yourself and the person across the table is essential for negotiations to be successful. Understanding their individual needs and concerns will help create a win-win situation for both parties involved in the negotiation process. Doing these things ensures that both sides are happy with how the negotiations turn out.

Request for a Salary Higher Than Your Ideal Salary

When negotiating a higher salary, asking for more than you want is key. To do this, you can make a counteroffer slightly higher than the first offer. If your present or prospective employer makes a counteroffer that falls somewhere between the two numbers, that's a good compromise. Career experts recommend asking for a range versus a hard number when negotiating salary.

Flexibility is key when negotiating any deal. It's essential to keep the big picture in mind and consider different monetary options, such as a one-time signing bonus or a six-month review with the chance for an increase, as well as a non-monetary benefits package like the ability to work remotely occasionally or flexible hours. The base salary component for many jobs is flexible within a pre-determined range, and potential employers may be willing to offer more money or additional benefits to accommodate specific skills and abilities. Be flexible and open-minded when discussing terms and conditions to develop an agreement that works for both parties.

When negotiating compensation, it is vital to ask the right questions. Asking questions about how your organization approaches compensation can help you understand whether they focus on internal or external equity. Researching what other positions like yours are paying in the market can provide data-driven conversations when asking for additional forms of compensation. If you get a "No way!" or "This is our absolute final number!" response to your salary request, it is vital to dig deeper and find out why.

Asking open-ended questions can help uncover underlying interests and design a compensation package that meets both parties needs. Suggested questions include: "What's driving that? Why is there a cap? Is this tied to location? Is it tied to the level of experience?" Additionally, asking questions such as "What is the budget of this position based on?", "What information do you need from me to make a decision."

Negotiation doesn't actually start until someone says "no." Saying "no" is not a reflection of your performance but rather a tool in the negotiation process. When Human resources throw one of those condescending smiles at you and say, "This is the best we can do," give them a big smile right back, followed by something like, "Really? I'm sure we can work something out - let's negotiate." This could mean asking for better perks such as vacation time and remote work, negotiating for better reporting lines or specific projects, or requesting a faster review cycle when considering a promotion. When it comes to getting what you want and deserve, the game isn't over until you say it is.

Figure Out What You Will Do if They Say No

In negotiations, it is important to be ready for any outcome. If Human Resources rejects your counter-proposal offer, you must decide whether to accept the initial offer or walk away. Before sending a counteroffer proposal, have a plan in mind in case the company wants to hold firm on its original offer. Consider the benefits, job requirements, the current job market, industry experience, and salary surveys when making this decision.

When someone says "no" in a negotiation, it is an opportunity to find out how to get to a yes. Negotiations are problem-solving, and a little prep and confidence can go a long way. It is important to remember that there may be room for compromise if both parties are willing to work together.

When it comes to successful salary negotiation, walking away from a lowball offer is often the best option. Employers know that some candidates are willing to accept lower salaries than they deserve, and resisting the temptation to accept a salary that is not up to your standards is likely in your best interest. If your current employer lowballs you, it may be better to look for other options.

10 Ways to Negotiate a Salary Increase

Working from home (WFH) is like riding a rollercoaster designed by a 12 year old in&nbsp;Roller Coaster Tycoon. It begins with the freedom of no longer needing to commute in to an office and the opportunity to wear comfortable clothes. Then it slowly but surely can lead to feelings of isolation, boredom, and burnout. If you're struggling with motivation while WFH, you're not alone.

Understanding why there's a lack of motivation is the first step to getting your mojo back. Whether you're longing for the days of commuting or filing TPS reports for your boss, Bill Lumbergh, these strategies can help you find your footing and thrive while WFH.

Motivation is the most important aspect of productivity when working from home. While it can be challenging to maintain on a daily basis, understanding the root of it (whether it's internal or external motivation), will help you stay motivated and avoid burning out.

The key to successful meal planning is to start small. Don't try to do everything at once. Start with breakfast and lunch, then add dinner, and finally, add snacks.

To effectively plan your meals, you must decide how many meals you want to prepare for the week in A structured workday helps you organize your day better. You won't waste time doing things that don't matter. And you'll spend less time procrastinating.

Without a structured workday, it's easy to fall into the trap of wasting time on unimportant tasks. This leads to stress and frustration because you're never sure whether you've accomplished anything meaningful. Having a clear schedule will help keep you focused on what matters most. You'll know exactly where you stand every hour of the day.

Attempting to tackle everything at once is a recipe for stress and failure. Instead, you should take a step back and assess your whole workload. What are the big-picture priorities? How many hours per week do you have to devote to your job?

Taking regular breaks will help you prevent burnout and improve productivity. In fact, taking regular breaks allows you to recharge and refresh your brain. This is especially important when working long hours without stopping.

A study found that workers who took short breaks every hour worked longer and performed better than those who didn't. The researchers surveyed over 200 office workers about how often they took breaks during the day. They discovered that people who took shorter breaks—less than 15 minutes—worked fewer hours per week than those who took longer breaks. In addition, the employees who took shorter breaks reported feeling less tired and stressed than those who did not.

A dedicated workspace allows you to concentrate on work without distractions like TV, music, social media, etc. This helps you avoid burnout and maintain productivity throughout the day.

Keep your home office organized by eliminating things that don't serve a purpose anymore. You'll find it easier to focus on work when everything is neat and tidy.

The average person spends about eight hours per day working. However, most people don't actually accomplish much during those 8 hours. In fact, according to a study conducted by Harvard University, the average remote employee accomplishes less than three tasks throughout the day. This unproductivity is due to the wide range of potential distractions and interruptions.

Minimizing interruptions and distractions that could otherwise cut your productivity is essential when working remotely. You can achieve this by eliminating any potential sources of distraction, including notifications, background noise, and even your cat

The best way to avoid procrastinating is to break big tasks into smaller ones. This helps because it gives you something concrete to work towards. If you struggle to get anything done, try setting aside a block of time each morning and evening. You'll feel less stressed out knowing that you have a certain amount of time to get everything done. For example, spend 10 minutes every two hours away from the computer. This allows you to take quick breaks without feeling like you're wasting time.

Sometimes, a little challenge can really help get you moving. When it comes to WFH, sometimes you need to push yourself out of your comfort zone. If you want to improve your productivity, why not give yourself a challenge?

For example, write a certain number of words in 30 minutes, or you may want to beat that same number during the next 30-minutes time slot. Or, you may find out something interesting about yourself while writing.

And after a successful challenge completion, reward yourself. This could mean anything from extending your planned break by 2 minutes to logging off early or even treating yourself to some ice cream.

Working from home makes it easy to fall into a routine where you never really stop. You might spend hours every day checking email, responding to messages, and doing research online. If you don't make time to step away from those tasks, you could end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.

The good news is there are ways to help break free from the daily grind without going completely offline. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you're trying to unplug:

The benefits of getting outdoors are numerous. You'll feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your body will thank you for it. And your brain will thank you too. Spending 15 minutes outside daily could help improve cognitive function and reduce stress levels. If you're feeling overwhelmed, try taking a short hike or even a quick stroll around the block. You don't have to spend hours doing something physical; simply moving around and enjoying the scenery will do wonders for your health.

Regularly exercising will improve your health, and you don't have to spend hours in the gym to reap the benefits of physical activity. In fact, 10 minutes of moderate exercise five times per week will make a difference. You can create a home gym and do different types of exercise, such as cardio, strength training, yoga, and Pilates.

There are many ways to work remotely effectively. Some people prefer working in coffee shops, while others prefer video conferencing tools such as Zoom or Skype. Still, others find it easier to work from their home office. Whatever method works best for you, experiment with different methods before settling into one strategy. This way, you'll know what works well for you and doesn't.

Creating your own systems can be a powerful way to motivate yourself and stay focused on your work. It might involve creating a daily schedule or holding yourself accountable to regular breaks if you work from home. It can mean setting achievable goals for each day or week and having motivation techniques that keep you on track. If you want to get things done quickly and efficiently, finding a system that works for you and sticking to it can make a difference.

Remote work is great because it allows you to choose what hours you want each day. But some people find themselves working too much or too little. If you are one of those people, try adding variety to your routine and break the monotony. This helps avoid fatigue and burnout and keeps motivation levels high in the long run. Switching up day-to-day tasks can add much-needed focus, clarity, and fresh perspectives, which are essential for any successful workflow.

Consider starting a side hustle. These activities will give you something else to do besides just checking email and answering questions.

7 Tips to Stay Motivated Working From Home

If you're looking for a new job, you probably dread doing online interviews. That's why we've compiled a list of the top online job interview tips covering everything from what to wear, to how to prepare mentally.

Zoom is one of the hiring managers' most popular video conferencing tools for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/prepare-for-the-job-interview-at-50-plus">interviews</a>. Video interviews aren't a replacement for in person-interviews; it's simply another form of interviewing that offers many advantages over the traditional phone (also known as phone screen interview) and in-person interviews. Here are some zoom interview tips to help you ace the call:

A common mistake is assuming you don't need to prepare for an online interview. While some candidates think they can wing it, most people fail to adequately prepare for virtual interviews.

Researching the company online gives you insight into what they value and what they look for in potential hires. For example, suppose you see that the company values diversity. In that case, you can mention something specific that you did in the past which demonstrates your ability to work well with different types of people.

Also, make it a habit to save the job posting requirements and duties when submitting an online application. This helps you prepare your responses for the online interview, as it is typically unavailable after they have stopped taking applications.

Before attending the call, you should ask yourself common interview questions:

Practice interviews with friends and family members. Ask them to give you feedback on your responses and ask them to critique your tone. They can help you hone your responses and identify areas where you could improve.

There are no strict guidelines on whether you should be 5 or 15 minutes early. As long as you're there on time, that's all that matters.

However, being early for a Zoom interview allows you to prep ahead of time and impress your interviewer. You'll give yourself plenty of time to think about what you want to say and how you want to present yourself, without feeling rushed.

Before joining the call, you'll also want to ensure everything is set up correctly.

You never know what could happen during an interview. So always have a backup plan ready just in case something goes wrong. For example, if your mic starts malfunctioning, you might need to switch to another device, like a smartphone.

Also, make sure that you're dressed appropriately for the occasion. A suit might seem like overkill, but it's a good idea to look professional because you never know who else will be joining the call.

If it's your first time wearing a suit, you might feel a little nervous and uncomfortable. Our advice is to start wearing your suit a few days in advance. You'll feel confident, comfortable, and natural. Plus, you'll have more time to adjust your style if needed.

Interviewing is one of the most nerve-wracking experiences. Here are some tips to successfully get through the interview process:

Using positive body language during an online interview can make you seem confident and energetic. If you're excited about the job, your interviewer will pick up on it. Smile and nod frequently throughout the interview. Even if you don't think you're qualified, try to act enthusiastic!

Often the interviewer will ask about your biggest weakness. "I work too hard" or "I'm too honest" are not good answers. Even if they believe you, those statements give the impression that you are either obnoxious or will eventually burn out.

Instead, say something like, "My biggest weakness for this job is that I have no experience with (company's database platform)" or "I don't know much about (part of the job) yet, so it would take me some time to learn." If it's a remote position, maybe "I haven't worked asynchronously in a remote setting, so it will take some time to adjust to the different time zones".

These are genuine, job-related problems, but they're also things you can improve as soon as you're hired. However, personality defects are not and should not be discussed in the interview.

Negotiating salary is an important part of the hiring process. It can be tempting to start discussing money early in your interview, but resist the urge! It's best only to do so if both parties have expressed mutual interest and an agreement has already been made for you to move forward with them as their ideal candidate (or at least near enough).

Once you're at that point, ask them about their average salary range. Your goal is to understand where on the spectrum of possible salaries they fall within your perceived value for an offer. And how much flexibility there is with adjusting this number based on factors like experience level or additional education qualifications obtained during one's career journey thus far.

If you've done your research, you should know the industry standard salary for the role. Based on your experience and qualifications, it's always better to ask for a little more and negotiate down rather than play safe. Imagine if you did and they gave you what you asked for - no questions asked. It's not like you can call back and say er... can I have more, please?

If asked, you always have another offer in the works. And preferably from a direct competitor. If you say you don't have any other job offers, there's no urgency to hire you or offer you more.

During the interview process, ask follow-up questions about the role and company culture. Examples of questions: why the job is available? What are benefits, vacation days, or work-life balance? This could help you determine what kind of place you'll be joining.

If you don't know what to ask and need ideas, check out these&nbsp;<a href="https://careersidekick.com/unique-questions-to-ask-employers/">unique interview questions to ask employers</a>. Remember that you are also interviewing your potential employer when you go for the job interview.

10. Write Down Notes during the Interview

Write down everything you learned during the interview. Then, review those notes later to refresh your memory. They'll come in handy when you apply again. When you receive feedback, write down key points.

Don't expect to hear back immediately following an interview. Companies take time to make hiring decisions, so don't worry if you aren't called within 24 hours.

If you haven't heard anything after a few days, follow up via email. Include a short note saying, "I'm excited to hear about the opportunity." You'll make a good impression if you're eager to move forward.

10 Top Online Job Interview Tips

Take a photo of a business card in case you lose it.

Now you can avoid Lumbergh asking for more TPS reports.

When sitting at a desk with your back to the door, put a pair of sunglasses or tiny mirror to see when people approach.

This ensures that everyone is aligned and has mutually agreed to the same decision. Spoken word can sometimes make things get lost in translation.

When wrapping up a meeting where you come to a decision, send an email to all participants.

You can request a "vacation refill" for all your medications so you don't have to worry about rushing out to get COBRA or another interim insurance policy just to fill your prescriptions.

If you're in the United States and are planning to leave a company, get your prescriptions refilled.

They will likely go out of their way to work with you first next time.

Immediately pay what you owe to vendors, workers, contractors.

You will make more by switching jobs than you will at staying at your current employer.

Want to get paid more at work? Start interviewing at different companies.

They are more likely to quickly help rather than leave you waiting in the queue.

Be nice to the IT department at work.

It's better to surprise than to let down especially when estimating time it takes to complete a project and delivering it.

Underpromise and overdeliver.

When receiving a business card, event flier, wedding announcement, or any other important piece of paper (even a birth certificate), snap a quick photo of it with your phone's camera.

This way, if you lose the physical copy or it gets damaged, you'll have a digital backup that you can refer to. Plus, having it digitally stored makes it easier to access (from your phone and computer).