Job: Operations Manager (United States)

Worked for a company for years and only one raise through a five year bankruptcy. The company is making almost 10 figures now and there are still no raises or bonuses in site. Foreign owners will always think that those in the US are too highly paid. So my advice to those taking a job with one - negotiate as hard as you dare from the start because raises are too few and far between.

I'm 55 years old and nearing retirement with a Federal Agency. 6 years ago I read Dave Ramsey's Book, "Total Money Makeover." At that time, I was in so much debt that I truly believed that I could never retire. After reading the book I realized that I needed to get control of my spending. To make a long story short, I paid off all my debt, including the house, in 3 1/2 years and I can't tell you how great it feels to not owe anyone any money. So, if you want to feel truly free, get out of debt. You will find that you enjoy your job quite a bit more if you know that you don't really have to keep working forever.

To all of you out there. Never never in you career path permit a company take advantage of you. If they do something that makes you feel not much appreciated is because it is.

If you ever cover a position that requires more pay than what you make and you have been performing good and saving the company a salary DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THEY SAY SOMETHING BECAUSE THEY WON'T. THEY WILL STAY QUIET UNTIL YOU SAY THAT IT IS NOT RIGHT. From my own experience don't let them take advantage of you. Sometimes we allow things like this to happen because we think that we don't have the right to say it or complain about it but we do.

I would like to be my own boss one day. I would love the freedom and the ability to earn my worth.

Always try for bigger and better when looking for a new job even if it is because of relocation.

For me. The kids are grown and by wife and I are

looking to finish are careers and retire in a place that suits our visions. The rat race is over!

When asking your employer for an increase in wages, go to your Manager with facts. You need to be able to identify what you do to earn a higher rate of pay, and prove that your are worth the additional expense to the company. Whether your arguement is years with the company and a good history of employment with them or projects that you may have completed and acheived excellent results.

You should tell the employer you need to see if you & the company will be a good fit. If so, you're sure you both can come to an agreeable compensation package. Personally, I would not talk about compensation until a formal job offer was made. The first person who talks money, loses. If you ask for too much, you won't get the job. If you ask for too little, you probably won't be satisfied. No amount of money is worth being miserable in a job for any extended period of time. How long would you stay doing something you dread--day after day?