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Book I: Taking Charge of Your Finances
Earning more at your current job
Your current employer may be an immediate source of additional income. If
you're paid by the hour, let your boss know that you want to work additional
hours. If demand for your employer's product or service is growing or if your
employer is opening a new office or store, you may be able to add another
shift to your schedule, work longer each day, or work on weekends, espe-
cially if you have a good reputation as an employee.
Asking for a raise is another option, assuming that you can justify your
request. For example, a raise may be in order if you haven't received one in a
long time, if you have assumed new responsibilities without additional com-
pensation, or if you recently completed an important project. Other possible
reasons to ask for a raise include a stellar performance review and the fact
that coworkers in your same position may be paid more than you.
Another way to earn more money at your current place of employment is to
apply for a promotion. Let your boss know that you want to be considered
for a higher-paying job in your same department. If you're qualified to work
in other departments, schedule a time to meet with the managers of those
departments to let them know that you're interested in working for them.
Looking for a new job
Getting a better-paying job with a new employer is another obvious way to
boost your income. In this section, we share tips for starting a job search.
Doing your homework
Prepare for your job hunt by whipping your résumé into shape, writing a
short but snappy cover letter, and honing your interview skills. If you need
help doing any of these things, you'll find a wealth of free information on the
Web. Here are a few sites to check out:
The Center for Communication Practices at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute: This site (www·wecc·rpi·edu) offers a clear, step-by-step
process for creating a winning résumé. Click on "E-handouts" and look
for "Resumes."
The Career Advice section of Monster.com: At www·monster·com,
you can find résumé assistance, help in figuring out how much salary to
ask for, and a self-assessment center for evaluating your skills and abili-
ties. You also get career-specific advice based on whether you want to
change careers, are looking for a job, or are 50 years old or over. You
