As we all navigate tax season, money is on the mind. When you’re job searching, your finances are a major motivator. Given the time of year, I thought that it would be good to discuss navigating the financial landscape when job hunting. And how better to get into the the right frame of mind than this iconic scene from Jerry McGuire?

It’s pretty unlikely that you’ll be able to replicate Rod Tidwell’s tactics in your own job hunt and salary negotiations, so here are five things to keep in mind when you’re looking for a new job and considering your bottom line.

1. Know your worth. Research the position you’re applying for. Know the average salary and starting salary for the position. There are websites you can turn to for salary research specific to the city the position is in. It’s good to go into the interview knowing this information, even if it won’t be discussed right away.

2. Think about when and if you’d be willing to compromise. Salary is one of the most important things in the job hunting process, but it is not everything. If there is a position that doesn’t quite meet your requirement range, but it offers amazing benefits and potential for growth those are worth considering. It’s not always about the actual dollars. Factor in the total cost of working at that location by calculating things like benefits and commute.

3. Think about when and if you won’t be willing to compromise. If you’re offered a sum that is way beneath your ask as well as what your research deems appropriate, that might be the time to draw a line in the sand. If you don’t feel excited by any part of the offer, you probably won’t be excited about the position, which will just land you right back where you started.

4. Research the company. While you’re researching the salary of the position, also research the norms for the company. Not all companies fall in line with industry trends, so it’s important to know that before you get in too deep.

5. Think about how to get to where you want to be. Invest in yourself and others will believe in your. Think about your resume and portfolio as a savings account — you want to continually make deposits into it for your future. Will learning a new technology or skill push you to the next level? Absolutely.

Happy hunting!

xo The Capitalista

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Alexandra Saville (@CapitalistaBlog) is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

Alexandra Saville

Alexandra Saville is the Media and Writing Specialist at Law Street Media. She has experience in the publishing and marketing worlds and started her own publishing company right out of college. Her blogs, The Capitalista and Capitalista Careers, focus on the young and the entrepreneurial.

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