1. Parenting & Family

Your Road Map to High Paying Jobs

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High paying jobs are desired by the masses, especially working moms, whether in the workplace full-time or going the part-time employment route while raising children. While we'd all love high paying careers, many times we get stuck in lower paying jobs. But there are ways for working mothers to find high paying jobs that will add a significant bump to our paychecks.

Before setting out to obtain a high paying job, a working mom needs to figure out the best options for her lifestyle, needs and child care situation. Often, this is best determined by asking yourself a battery of questions. Write down the answers to these questions to help you determine the best high paying jobs to pursue.

High Paying Jobs Questionnaire:

  • Can I make more money in my present job/position?
  • If I can make more money in my present position, how can I do it?
  • Is there room for advancement at my current employer?
  • What type of salary increase is available to me?
  • How would I get this salary increase: training, a promotion or another step?
  • If there is no room for advancement in my current job, is this a good time to look for a new job in the same field?
  • Is there opportunity to make more money in my present field?
  • If I am at a salary plateau in my field, is it time for a career change?
  • How can I use my current talents to obtain a high paying job?
  • Can I network with professionals in my desired field to obtain leads that may help me get a high paying job?
  • What is the state of the job market for my desired position or industry?
  • If an entire career change is needed, do I need to go back to school to make this change?
  • If school is needed for the desired high paying job, do I have the time and money to go back to school?
  • Will the investment in re-training and the time away from work pay off?

After you've written down the answers to your questions, read them over to help you determine the following:

  • The job you want to pursue.
  • The necessary requirements to obtain the high paying job.
  • Your game plan for obtaining a high paying job.
  • Your timeframe for getting your desired high paying job.

Once you know the job you want, follow these tips:

Network continuously. Once you've got more than a few years in the workplace, you're unlikely to find the best high paying jobs by submitting your resume to advertised positions. It's better to arrange informational interviews at your target employers and talk to former colleagues about your career goals. As you connect with more and more people over a number of months, it's increasingly likely that one of them will come across a job lead for you. If you've recently called them, you'll be on their mind to refer to the open position.

Find job sites that have high paying jobs. Today, want ads are best found on the Internet, although this should not be your primary method of job hunting. Go to the best job websites in your desired field to seek out positions that meet your salary requirements.

Only apply to high paying jobs. If you want a high paying job, don't waste your time sending out resumes or pursuing leads for jobs that you know won't pay what you desire. Focus on positions that command higher pay, are listed in want ads for your desired salary range or you can determine through salary research are high paying jobs.

Design your resume to show you command a high paying job. A poorly written and put together resume will not help you in your search for a high paying job. Higher paying jobs require experience, and you need to make sure your resume reflects your qualifications that will help you obtain a high paying job. If you aren't adept at resume writing and designing, seek out professional help to ensure your extraordinary resume will knock the socks off a potential employer.

Write a killer cover letter. In addition to a professionally written resume, you'll need a cover letter that sells your talents, qualifications and reasons that you should be offered the high paying job you're seeking. A cover letter should be no more than one page, highlighting your skills and experience in an easy to read, clear writing style. You should always tailor the cover letter to the position you are applying for; never use a generic cover letter when seeking a high paying job. Have someone read over your cover letter to check for typos. Again, if writing well or persuasively isn't a talent you possess, seek a professional to help write your cover letter.

Sell yourself on an interview. While your resume and cover letter are your introduction to a potential employer, it's the face-to-face interview that will earn you the high paying job position you desire. In order to make the best impression, be confident, positive, and sell yourself. Always accentuate your positives, and your abilities that will be most attractive to the employer. Prepare specific stories about your career and accomplishments that will demonstrate you possess the qualities they are seeking in a new employee.

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