CeeBee: CareerBuilder.com's Job Search SmartyPants

Get Paid to Relocate

After 4 years of working in the same city, it was time for a change. So, I packed up and moved - but not without looking for a job first. While I didn't find one that was willing to pay for my move to the new job, one-third of employers say they have paid to relocate an employee from another area to their company's location in the last two years, according to a new study from CareerBuilder.com and Apartments.com.

"Given the shortage of qualified workers, 14 percent of the employers wer surveyed say they're more willing to pay to relocate new employees from another area to their company's location this year compared to last year," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder.com.

Forty precent of employers say they're willing to spend $1,000; one-third says they'll spend more than $2,500 and one-in-ten are willing to pay more than $10,000.

If you're looking to relocate, Kevin Doyle, senior vice president and general manager of Apartments.com suggests the following tips:

• Rent initially. When relocating to a new city or state, it makes sense to rent first because it allows you to learn more about the area you're relocating to without the commitment of home ownership. It also gives you time to get acquainted with your new job and new city.
• Purge. View moving as an opportunity to de-clutter by donating, recycling or disposing of those things you don't need or want.
• Stay organized. When moving for a new job, time may not always be on your side. Therefore, you need to plan ahead as much as possible. Create a file that includes a detailed timeline for the moving process, important contact information and any necessary documents.
• Keep records. From your job offer, to specifics about your relocation package, to phone numbers to photographs of your new apartment - keep detailed records of all aspects of your move. Be sure that you keep these records handy - do not include them in the items that will be transferred by the movers.

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10 Simple Saving Strategies

We all know the term "living from paycheck to paycheck." Some of us (a whopping 45 percent of Americans) know it better than others. The burning question is, how do we get out of this endless paycheck cycle and move into financial bliss?

Easily, says Michael B. Rubin, author of "Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck." Rubin says most young adults want to improve their financial futures, despite the appearance of poor habits and a sense of indifference.

In his book, Rubin, also a CFP, CPA and founder of Total Candor, a financial planning education company, offers 10 easy strategies to increase your savings level without becoming cheap. Here's how:

1. Don't become emotionally separated from your money. "Try using cash instead of credit cards for awhile. Keep track for a couple of months and see if your expenses decrease. Handing over six hard-earned twenties is far more difficult than charging $119.40 on a credit card."
2. Understand and be honest about expense classifications. "Think of discretionary expenses as 'wants' and non discretionary expenses as 'needs.' Think about decisions you make everyday. Are the bulk of your purchases legitimately needs, or do you just view them that way? Eating is a need. Eating out is a want."
3. The time to lower your "needs" spending was yesterday. "It is you who must care enough to review your spending priorities before you make a commitment to an apartment lease, mortgage, or car. Just because someone will sell you something doesn't mean you can actually afford it."
4. Enjoy free stuff. "Many people think they can't have a good time unless they spend a fair amount of money. But that belief is based on what has been successful for them in their recent past, not on reality." Try reading a book, lying on the beach or playing sports with friends without spending a dime.
5. Major on the major. "Don't spend much time evaluating minor expenses, such as where to buy pizza. Rather, put major focus on major purchases... A good rule of thumb is to treat anything you can't pay for entirely when you buy it as major."
6. Enjoy being with people you like. "Your friends make the evening enjoyable - not the menu design or the lighting where you meet. When a few friends suggest meeting for dinner, it's perfectly fine to suggest a place you loved when you had less money. Don't be surprised if one or two of your friends thank you for your suggestion - in private."
7. Don't blow off the recurring minor. "Small recurring expenses aren't truly minor. Examples include your cable bill, your cell phone plan, and your morning coffee. Estimate the cost of such expenses for a full year. Are you comfortable with that level of spending? Regardless, don't try to change all your habits at once, but see if you can find at least one minor recurring expense to cut."
8. Spend with comfort on items or experiences you value highly. "As with time management, you cannot prioritize all financial desires as 'highly important.' A better approach is to prioritize your desires. When you know what you truly value, you can spend on those things with no guilt. Sacrifice what is not important to you."
9. You won't spend what you don't see. "If you spend the money you have available (but not more), you quickly learn to spend less. You must, because the missing 10 percent isn't sitting in your checking account."
10. Constant budgeting isn't required. The task is too inflexible to deal with life's spontaneity, says Rubin. "Evaluate what you can afford based on your income level and spending history."

Return of the Signing Bonus? Five Tips for Getting One

Rarely seen since the dot-com boom, signing bonuses are making a comeback -- sort of.

From the late 1990s until 2001, the national unemployment rate hovered around 4 percent. With business booming, employers pulled out all the stops, making sky-high salaries, stock options and signing bonuses fundamentals of offer letters.

"Back in the late '90s, companies felt they needed to move (on hiring a candidate) right away," said Dave Sanford, executive vice president of client services for Massachusetts-based contingency placement firm Winter, Wyman and Companies.

But when the country plunged into recession in 2001 and tightened the job market, fewer companies offered signing bonuses to new employees.

Now that the economy is improving, Sanford says he is seeing this incentive start to trickle back into compensation packages. But although hiring bonuses are up across most industries, they’re still the exception.

Sanford estimates that around 5 to 10 percent of his clients are offering sign-on bonuses, up from about 2 to 3 percent a few years ago.

"We were in such a deep recession in 2001 and 2002 that companies have been very conservative about throwing money around," he says. "Even now that the market’s getting better, they don’t want to be reckless. Everybody’s still watching their bottom line."

The decision to offer a sign-on bonus often boils down to supply and demand. Working in a hot industry or in-demand position can boost a candidate’s likelihood of getting a bonus upfront.

For example, the 2006 Culpepper Trends Survey on Hiring Bonuses indicated that half of all technology and life sciences companies use signing bonuses to attract candidates, with payouts ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.

Other times, hiring bonuses are offered when a candidate would have to leave something behind to join a new employer, says John Touey, a principal with Philadelphia-based retained executive search firm Salveson Stetson Group.

"(An example would be) if they are leaving mid-year or later in the year and feel they have earned a significant amount of the annual cash bonus, or they have options coming due in the near future that they will forfeit," he says. "...In other cases I have seen signing bonuses as a one-time consideration when the hiring company cannot match the annual base salary of a candidate."

To improve your chances of landing a signing bonus, heed the following tips:

1. Know what to expect.
Research the company and your industry to see whether your position or company frequently awards hiring bonuses. The Internet, industry contacts and current workers at your future employer are valuable sources of information.

2. Delay the money talk until after you get an offer. Wait until you have a written job offer before negotiating a sign-on bonus. Asking too early could make you appear difficult or greedy.

3. Be upfront. Employers are more likely to offer a sign-on bonus if accepting the offer would cause a candidate financial hardship. If you would have to forgo your year-end bonus or triple your commuting costs, say so.

4. Make sure you understand the terms.
Employers are increasingly tying a longevity clause to hiring bonuses. Find out if you will need to pay back part or all of the signing bonus if you leave before a specified period of time.

5. Remember that a signing bonus is a one-time deal.
If a company is offering a salary that seems too low, a signing bonus will only make up the difference for one year. Negotiating a more reasonable salary will have a long-term impact.

By: Laura Morsch, CareerBuilder.com writer
Laura Morsch is a writer for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Five Ways to Get a Bigger Paycheck

You wrote a flawless résumé, applied to what seemed like thousands of jobs, networked 'til you were blue in the face, dazzled them in the interviews and got an offer for the perfect job. All that hard work has paid off... well, almost.

Don't sign the dotted line just yet -- if the salary figure on your offer letter seems too low, it probably is. Fifty-eight percent of hiring managers say they leave some negotiating room when extending initial offers, according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.com.

Most hiring managers are accommodating when a candidate asks for a better offer, the survey found. Nearly six-in-ten say they will extend a new offer once, and one-in-ten will extend a new offer twice or more if they really want the candidate. Thirty percent of hiring managers say the first offer is final.

Attempting to negotiate a better offer is almost always in a candidate's best interest. In fact, nearly one-in-ten hiring managers say they think less of a candidate who accepts the first offer. Salary negotiations demonstrate a candidate's determination, persistence and recognition of the value he/she brings to an employer.

Here are some ways you can negotiate a better job offer:

Prove your worth.
Highlight specific accomplishments and results; 34 percent of hiring managers say this is the most convincing way for candidates to negotiate a better offer. Don't just say you managed major accounts, instead name specific clients and quantified results.

Have strong references.
A candidate's references are the first thing nearly one-in-three hiring managers say they consider in salary negotiations. Be sure the former employers and co-workers on your reference list are prepared to give glowing reports of your work. Provide them with a "cheat sheet" -- a brief rundown of your projects they're familiar with.

Know the market.
For one-in-ten employers, the best way to get a bump in your offer is knowing average salaries for your position and market. Online salary sites, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry Web sites are great places to start. Educate yourself on industry averages and those around your metro area.

Leverage your position with care.
Thirteen percent of hiring managers say showing an offer from another company and a willingness to walk away is an effective way to negotiate. But be careful with this tactic. It has serious potential to backfire and cost you the job completely.

When all else fails, ask for a six-month review.
If the job is everthing you've been looking for, but the hiring manager won't budge on salary, don't walk away. Ask if your new employer would be willing to conduct a review six months into your employment -- with a possible salary boost contingent on your performance.

When Crime-Fighting Alone Won’t Pay the Bills

With another resurgence of comic-based movies such as “Superman Returns” and “My Super Ex-Girlfriend” on the way, I thought I’d take a minute to draw attention to what makes the superhero/super-villain life even more amazing – their day jobs.  In addition to battling evil (or being super-evil) on a daily basis, they’re kicking butt in the working world just like us.

Here are some careers that superheroes have taken on in addition to crime-fighting:

Scientist: Mister Fantastic

Real-life median salary: *$85,190

Florist: Black Canary

Real-life median salary: $30,000

Doctor: Thor

Real-life median salary: $120,000

Model: Dazzler

Real-life median salary: The median hourly rate is $10.50

Journalist: Superman

Real-life median salary: $31,320

Photojournalist: Spiderman

Real-life median salary: $30,000

Archeologist: Hawk Girl

Real-life median salary: $43,890

Lawyer: Daredevil

Real-life median salary: $94,930

Coal Miner: Cannonball

Real-life median salary: The average hourly rate is $21.57

Social Worker: The Falcon

Real-life median salary: $40,080

Teacher: Professor X

Real-life median salary: $51,800

Police Officer:  Martian Manhunter

Real-life median salary: $42,000

Bouncer: Wolverine

Real-life median salary: $30,000

Waitress: Rogue

Real-life median salary: $25,000

Accountant: Iceman

Real-life median salary: $50,770

* Salary sources: Payscale.com, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

By: Candace Corner

Communications Specialist

CareerBuilder.com

Restaurant Jobs vs. Retail Jobs

Whether it was the first job you had when you were 16, or something you dabbled in a few months ago for secondary income, chances are you have or will venture into restaurant jobs or retail jobs at some point in your life.  Once you get locked into your restaurant serving gig or log in a few years of cashiering, making the move from restaurant to retail or vice versa may be a little tricky.  High-end restaurants start looking for people with more experience and retailers will want to know that you’ve nailed the basics before you move to management. 

Both environments can offer flexible scheduling, and company discounts, but before you decide which way to go for a little extra cash, here are some things to consider:

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Restaurant-related work

Working at a restaurant or bar offers you flexibility, company discounts at your company and their affiliates and (depending on your position) fast cash in your pocket, Keep in mind that the schedule flexibility may come with the cost of mandatory holiday hours.  Pocketing your earnings after each shift means you won’t be getting much of a weekly paycheck, so remember to keep track of what you make and put it away before you blow it all on after-shift drinks with your co-workers.  While servers fill the bulk of restaurant-related employment, don’t rule out applying for a job as a cook, host, delivery driver or bartender.  Choose the position based on what the job requires and find what fits you best.

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Retail-related work

Retail work also offers flexibility and company discounts, but if the bulk of your pay is commission, you may have to fight for customers.  Weather plays a key role in when and what people buy, so your income may follow accordingly.  Turnover is high, so you may be frequently working weird hours with new people.  Sales associates and cashiers are the majority, but stocking, tagging, driving, cleaning and marketing-related positions are also available.  Putting your foot in the door in sales could provide you with a start to move up with the company.

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Search Tip: When you click through to see the jobs linked through this article, narrow the job results by using the city & state links on the left side of the page. This way you can see these jobs located near you.

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By Candace Corner

Communications Specialist

CareerBuilder.com

Reality Paycheck: What Real-Life Salaries Would be for Your Favorite Character’s Jobs

Have you ever watched a TV show and wished you could have their life, or at least their paycheck? Well, in some cases it may not be what it’s cracked up to be.  Big Love’s Bill Hendrickson may earn enough to take care of three of his wives and his family, but owning a small business owning can be a big risk and requires a lot of attention.  Peter Griffin, Family Guy, was fired from his toy assembly line job, but found a less stressful life as a fisherman.  CSI: Miami's Horatio Caine is working in one of the fastest emerging fields and Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy, could find a huge reason to stick it out as an intern – her paycheck.    Here’s a few of TV’s most popular characters and their salaries. 

Lynette Scavo, Desperate Housewives - Advertising Manager

Real-life median salary: $63,610, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Peter Griffin, Family Guy - Fisherman

Real-life median salary: $24,100, according to BLS

Horatio Caine, CSI Miami Lead Criminologist

Real-life median salary: $70,000, according to Payscale.com

Bill Hendrickson, Big Love - Hardware Business Owner

Real-life median salary: $60,000, according to Payscale.com

Michael Scott, The Office – Regional Sales Manager

Real-life median salary: $65,000, according to Payscale.com

Meredith Gray, Grey’s Anatomy – Surgeon

Real-life median salary: When Grey’s finished with her internship and starts as a surgeon she will earn over $145,600, according to the BLS

Vince Chase, Entourage – Actor

Real-life median salary: As an actor in the state of California, Chase’s median income is $74,730, according to Payscale.com (their site states that specific data for his kind of acting is not publishable without further data.)

Better Pay & Salary in 2006

Five Ways to Get a Bigger Paycheck in 2006

You wrote a flawless résumé, applied to what seemed like thousands of jobs, networked 'til you were blue in the face, dazzled them in the interviews and got an offer for the perfect job. All that hard work has paid off ... well, almost.

Don't sign the dotted line just yet -- if the salary figure on your offer letter seems too low, it probably is. Fifty-eight percent of hiring managers say they leave some negotiating room when extending initial offers, according to a recent survey by CareerBuilder.com.

Most hiring managers are accommodating when a candidate asks for a better offer, the survey found. Nearly six-in-10 say they will extend a new offer once, and one-in-10 will extend a new offer twice or more if they really want the candidate. Thirty percent of hiring managers say the first offer is final.

Attempting to negotiate a better offer is almost always in a candidate's best interest. In fact, nearly one-in-ten hiring managers say they think less of a candidate who accepts the first offer. Salary negotiations demonstrate a candidate's determination, persistence and recognition of the value he/she brings to an employer.

Here are some ways you can negotiate a better job offer:

Prove your worth.
Highlight specific accomplishments and results; 34 percent of hiring managers say this is the most convincing way for candidates to negotiate a better offer. Don't just say you managed major accounts, instead name specific clients and quantified results.

Have strong references.
A candidate's references are the first thing nearly one-in-three hiring managers say they consider in salary negotiations. Be sure the former employers and co-workers on your reference list are prepared to give glowing reports of your work. Provide them with a "cheat sheet" -- a brief rundown of your projects they're familiar with.

Know the market.
For one-in-10 employers, the best way to get a bump in your offer is knowing average salaries for your position and market. Online salary sites, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry Web sites are great places to start. Educate yourself on industry averages and those around your metro area.

Leverage your position with care.
Thirteen percent of hiring managers say showing an offer from another company and a willingness to walk away is an effective way to negotiate. But be careful with this tactic. It has serious potential to backfire and cost you the job completely.

When all else fails, ask for a six-month review.
If the job is everthing you've been looking for, but the hiring manager won't budge on salary, don't walk away. Ask if your new employer would be willing to conduct a review six months into your employment -- with a possible salary boost contingent on your performance.

Search for a better paying job at CareerBuilder.com today!

Richard Castellini is Vice President of Consumer Marketing at CareerBuilder.com. He is an expert in recruitment trends and tactics, job seeker behavior and workplace issues.  Copyright 2006 CareerBuilder.com

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Top-paying jobs for associate degree holders

More education usually brings more professional opportunities, and is correlated with lower unemployment and higher salaries.  But a four-year education isn’t always the ticket to a swollen bank account.  The following jobs – ranked by the BLS as the highest-paying jobs typically held by those with associate degrees – pay more than many jobs requiring a bachelor degree:

1. Computer specialist -- $59,480
Depending on the employer, computer specialists perform a variety of functions, ranging from technical support to coordinating network security.

2. Nuclear technician -- $59,200
Nuclear technicians monitor radiation and operate nuclear test and research equipment. They may also assist nuclear engineers and nuclear physicists with their research projects.

3. Dental hygienist -- $58,350
One of the fastest-growing occupations in the nation, dental hygienists provide routine dental services including cleaning teeth, taking X-rays and preventative care.

4. Radiation therapist -- $57,700
Radiation therapists administer radiation therapy to patients afflicted with tumors or cancer.

5. Nuclear medicine technologist -- $55,840
Nuclear medicine technologists administer diagnostic tests that involve using radioactive materials to monitor organ functions.

6. Fashion designer -- $55,840
Fashion designers study current fashion trends, sketch out new clothing designs, select the colors and fabrics and oversee the production of their items.

7. Aerospace engineering and operations technician -- $52,500
Aerospace engineering and operations technicians construct, test and maintain aircraft and space vehicles.

8. Diagnostic medical sonographer -- $52,490
Diagnostic medical sonographers – also known as ultrasonographers – administer diagnostic imagining technology used during pregnancy and to diagnose some diseases.

9. Registered nurse -- $52,330
Registered nurses treat sick, injured and convalescent patients, and provide education on post-treatment care.

10. Engineering technician -- $49,440
Engineering technicians perform a variety of research- and development-related tasks, including building and setting up equipment, conducting experiments, collecting data and recording results.

Minimum Wage Situation

The minimum wage has been getting a lot of press lately – including here in Illinois, where TV airtime is filled with commercials from gubernatorial candidates sounding off on the issue.  With information flying from all directions, here’s a quick guide to the minimum wage situation:

• The federal minimum wage is currently $5.15 per hour, a rate that has held constant since 1997.
• Twenty states and the District of Columbia have passed laws raising the minimum wage above the federal level.
• Ten states have laws raising the minimum wage to $7.15 per hour or higher.
• A study found that 83 percent of the American public favors raising the minimum wage to $7.15 per hour.
• Opponents of raising the minimum wage say increasing the rate would lead to a job cuts, especially in entry-level positions. 
• According to one article, 75 percent of minimum wage earners are part-time employees, and the average minimum-wage earner comes from a family with an average income of over $52,000.  Thus, the article concludes, 80 percent of the benefits of raising the minimum wage would go to families that weren’t poor.
• Supporters of raising the minimum wage dispute these claims, pointing out that teenage unemployment was no higher in states with higher minimum wages.

What will happen to the minimum wage is uncertain, but it’s clear that this will be a hot-button issue during November’s elections.