Hard questions for y'all about job for me

[Rocky Raab]

Jon, I'll echo what's been said. First of all, it's location, location, location. What would be a king's ransom in one city would be unlivable in another. So, NO hard numbers up front.

They want you, they have to pay you. All you want is what's comparable for that job in that industry in that area. No more, but not a dime less. And let them know you can Google and Monster as well as the next guy. So when they offer, it'd better not be a "bargaining position."

And insist you keep your seniority and equivalent benefits!

Finally, you don't have to be Stephen Hawkings to be of value. You're a proven commodity to them. That alone has value. Cash in on it.

Short digression: I once worked in a building where the HVAC guy had a two-digit IQ. But he KNEW that HVAC system. When performance reviews and bonus time came, he could make all of "Mahogany Row" sweat or freeze - and he did. He NEVER failed to get a raise. Not so frickin' dumb after all, huh?