Salary Research Makes Your Executive Job Search More Profitable

How about that Robert Wright? He got more than* Nonprofits
$15.6 million in compensation from General Electric in* Pharmaceuticals
2006, including $520,291 in above-market earnings on* Real Estate
an employee salary deferral plan.* Retailing
But if you're thinking about a job change - regardless* Sales/Marketing
of whether you're after a payday like Robert* Senior Executives
Wright's - money's still something to consider. And* Telecommunications
until recently, I thought was the only game in townWhat's more, they break those industries up into
when it comes to doing research on salary rates.dozens of subcategories, so you're bound to find the
Turns out I was wrong. One source is collectinglevel of detail you're looking for.
salary information direct from industry sources - evenWhy go to the trouble? Three reasons:
if they're making it not so easy to find on their1. Planning. If you're going to make a change in your
website. It's CareerJournal.com, and they go deepexecutive career, make it an informed one. Don't
into the executive levels in a number of fields,make a leap to a new industry until you have a firm
including:grasp on what it could do to the rest of your life.
* Accounting2. Targeting. You want to go for the right position -
* Advertising/Public Relationsone that matches your interests as well as your
* Aerospace & Airlinesmonetary desires (should that be a factor for you -
* Bankingit's not always in the top three reasons for
* College Administration/Academiaexecutives deciding to switch jobs).
* Computers, IT & Internet3. Negotiation. If the recruiter you hook up with
* Construction and Architecturematches you with an employer who makes an offer,
* Consultingyour research will give you a better idea of how
* Corporate Financegood the offer is - and whether to take it, negotiate
* Energy & Utilitiesit, or pass on it.
* EngineersSo check it out, and while you're at it, check out this
* Financial Services/Insuranceother salary source, They tout their free site as an
* Food Marketing & Processing"online database that provides compensation data for
* Healthofficers and directors of publicly traded companies."
* Hotel, Restaurant, LeisureI've got no loyalty or ties to any of these salary
* HR & Executive Recruiterssource sites - just a desire to make resources like
* Lawthese available. Which one helps you best is going to
* Librariansdepend on your own personal situation.
* ManufacturingMy advice? Check 'em all out!
* Media/Journalism