Curious to know what your skills are worth in today's job market? The just-released 2013 Salary Guides from Robert Half can help you determine the compensation you can command. The guides feature salary ranges for positions in the accounting and finance, information technology, legal, administrative, and creative and marketing fields.

The 2013 Salary Guides, which are available at, include national starting salary averages, along with information on customizing the figures for your location.

Consult this resource before negotiating with an employer to ensure your request is in line with the going rate. But don't include salary requirements in your resume. Wait until a company has asked for this information.

"SALARY REQUIREMENTS: A ridiculous amount."

That's not a very good starting point.

"SALARY REQUIREMENTS: Negotiable. (But remember you get what you pay for.)"

And what exactly would we be paying for?

"SALARY REQUIREMENTS: Sure, I will take $15 an hour. But I will keep putting my resume out there, and when the first chance comes to jump to an employer who'll pay me a decent wage for my skill level, well, bye-bye."

Threatening to leave before you're even hired isn't the best negotiation strategy.

RESUME: "My slogan: 'I don't sweat the small stuff -- unless it's the paycheck that's small.'"

This motto is not on the money.

Your material goals are not of interest to employers. Hiring managers want to know that you can do the job -- not what you'll do with the money earned from the job.

"OBJECTIVE: Just a few months' worth of pay. (I need extra money to buy a motorcycle, and my wife told me I'm not allowed to touch our savings.)"

We can see why you've hit roadblocks in your job search.

RESUME: "I just moved into a big new house and pay tons a month. I would love to keep it! Please contact me. The sooner, the better!"

This resume has lots of room for improvement.



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