As far as your career is concerned, your salary should be top of your agenda at all times. Regardless of the reasons you chose your field of expertise, financial stability is key. After all, increased wealth allows you to achieve the comfort needed to enjoy life to the fullest. Besides, earning less money than you deserve will soon leave you feeling disillusioned – even if you love the job itself.

Earning more money is a goal shared by all employees. Unfortunately, it’s an ambition that the vast majority never realises. So how can you be different? Try some of these simple tricks for size, and you should see positive results in next to no time.

• Try asking. It sounds very simplistic, but most people are simply too afraid to ask their employer for a raise. As long as you handle the situation in an appropriate fashion, you have nothing to fear. In the worst case scenario, your employer will reject the request. In the best case scenario, you’ll be earning more money. Moreover, even if the answer is no right now, your boss will be able to see that you have genuine ambitions to progress.   
• Invest in yourself. Far too many people expect new opportunities to arrive on a plate. Sadly, that isn’t the world we live in. IT certification training & education courses are a great way to increase your prospects. Apart from anything else, many of those skills are transferable. The growing influence of technology ensures that those modern qualifications will serve you well for many years to come. It might require a short-term investment, but the long-term benefits could be huge.
• Learn to sell yourself. When applying for a job, you need to think of yourself as a product. Showing the employer what you can offer is essential, and going the extra mile in these early stages could make all the difference. Improve your CV and create a portfolio website to show personality and initiative. Combine this with intense research into the company before your interviews, and you should have a far greater chance of success. After all, first impressions count for everything.
• Start earning a little extra money on the side. In today’s world, freelancing on the side is more accessible than ever. Furthermore, if you can find a way to generate enough business through these methods, you might be able to make this your primary income. If not, it’s still the perfect way to increase your earnings on your terms. Also, if you’re a student or recent graduate, it’s the perfect way to increase your experience and exposure also.
• Find a new career path. Most people start their career with huge goals and ambitions. However, as our lives take on more responsibility, we learn to appreciate the value of money. If financial elements have become your main motivator, these fields are just for you. Finance still isn’t the main incentive for everyone. Nonetheless, being aware of the best paying jobs in a sector that you’ll enjoy can only bring benefits.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.