This Is the Average American's Salary.

In an age of oversharing, many of us are remarkably tight-lipped when it comes to talking salary. But in reality, knowing where you stand can help you determine whether you're in a good place or whether you should be taking steps to boost your earnings.

The average U.S. worker today earns roughly $46,641 a year, according to data from the Social Security Administration. The median salary in the country, however, is only $30,533, which tells us that a greater number of people earn less than the average than more.

Of course, the best way to determine whether your salary is fair is to research your specific industry and see how others with your job title are doing. Better yet, see what local folks with your job title are being paid, as that'll give you an even more accurate point of comparison. But if you find that you're earning less than the average worker with your qualifications, you'll want to take steps to boost your income. Here are a few to start with.

1. Ask for a raise: Asking your boss for more money is a pretty daunting notion, but if you're serious about increasing your earnings, you'll need to get over it. Amazingly, 56% of workers have never asked for a raise, according to CareerBuilder, but of those who have, 66% were successful in getting some sort of boost. So do your research, figure out what you should be making, and present that data to your boss. Not only that, but go in with a list of ways you add specific value to your company to further drive home your argument. It may not be an easy conversation to have, but it's a necessary one nonetheless. 

2. Improve your skills: The more you know, the more critical an employee you'll be regarded as. If you're looking to earn more money, take steps to improve your skills. This doesn't necessarily mean obtaining an advanced degree. Rather, look into the various certifications you might manage to get, or seek out learning opportunities at conferences and seminars. A modest amount of effort on your part could translate into a nice bump in your income. 

3. Dust off your resume: We're often encouraged to be patient and work our way up at our respective companies. But if you're looking for a sizable salary boost, moving to another employer may be the fastest way to get there. And while too much job-hopping can make you look flighty, if you do it strategically, it can work to not only bump up your earnings, but help advance your career as well. 

4. When all else fails, get a second gig: In an ideal world, we'd all earn enough from our primary jobs to call it a day. But there's a reason a good 44 million Americans are holding down a side hustle: They're not making enough money from their main employers, and they need a means of compensating. The good news, however, is that 36% of workers with a side gig bring home more than $500 a month extra as a result, so if you're willing to put in some time, you can boost your income without having to be at the mercy of your boss. 

Whether you earn more or less money than the average American, it never hurts to try to grow your income. Follow these steps, and with any luck, you'll land a raise one way or another. 

By Maurie Backman,

Job Interview Questions You Should Always Ask.

As your job interview comes to a close, you breathe a small sigh of relief, happy this stressful situation is almost over. Your interviewer then asks whether you have any questions. Resist the urge to say, “No.” Sure, you want to leave, so you can reduce your stress level. But it’s never wise to exit without asking a few questions. 

Your questions could make or break your chances of getting the job. So use this time to your advantage, and ask questions that will make the hiring team take note of you. Here are 15 questions you need to ask at a job interview if you want to make a good impression.

1. What’s the biggest change your group has gone through in the past year?

Ask whether the company feels like things are getting better or worse and how it plans to handle either scenario. Ask how the company is changing, so you can gain a better perspective of its goals and values. The interviewer’s answer will offer insight into what type of employee they’re looking for. Career expert Marc Cenedella said it’s important to show an interest in where the company is headed, and learn how you can help it get there. “By asking these questions, which focus on the needs, traits, and preferences of your future boss and future employer, you’re demonstrating that you are somebody who is genuinely interested in their well-being,” Cenedella said.

2. What new skills can I hope to learn here?

This question shows you are eager to continue learning. It shows you won’t become complacent and stop bringing value to the company because you got too comfortable to care. Employers don’t want to hire someone who eventually becomes a flat-liner, so do your best to ask questions that demonstrate you’ll do what it takes to continue to grow and add value. Honigman Media CEO Brian Honigman said this question says a lot about a candidate. “It signifies a few positive things: The applicant acknowledges they don’t know everything, and it signals both humility and potential. This individual is actively seeking knowledge and using that as a criterion to judge opportunity. They know that skills are important, not just knowledge,” he said. 

3. What are your expectations during the first 30 days, 60 days, and a year?

Don’t be in the dark about what is expected of you. The worst thing you can do is get the job and then totally miss the mark because you didn’t ask the right questions. Learn what the hiring manager is looking to accomplish through your role. “Find out what your employer’s expectations are for the person in this position,” said Pamela Skillings, career expert and founder of Big Interview.

4. What is a typical day like?

Don’t forget to ask about the basics. The answer to this question will help reduce the chance of being taken by surprise. For example, if everyone is expected to attend a weekly staff meeting at 8 a.m. Mondays, it would be helpful to know that information if 9 a.m. is your typical start time. Simpson said if he hadn’t asked his future employer what a typical day would be like he would have been unprepared. “Having the day laid out for you from beginning to end is a smart way to get a quick overview of what is expected of you outside the job description. I was hired for a job once where all the employees were expected to participate in a group physical activity before starting our day. Had I not asked about a typical day I would have been completely unprepared for my first day and unable to participate,” Simpson said. 

5. What is the company culture like?

This question is important because the answer will let you know whether the company is a good fit for you. A poor culture match could make your days at the company unpleasant. Just like a pair of jeans, it’s important to find the right fit. Find out what you’re getting yourself into before accepting an offer. It’s also a good idea to do some of your own research. Career sites, such as Glassdoor, offer insights directly from current and past employees. 

6. Could you tell me about the team I would be working with?

You’ll want to know as much as you can about your potential co-workers. Chances are you’ll work closely together, especially because most companies encourage collaborative work environments. Some of the information you’ll be able to glean from this answer is how long employees tend to stay with the company, advanced certifications or degrees some of your teammates have, and the types of projects you’ll be working on.   

7. How are employees recognized?

This will give you an idea of whether the company goes out of its way to show appreciation for a job well done. It doesn’t feel great to go above and beyond the call of duty only to be ignored or treated as if what you did was no big deal. Find out now whether the company values its workforce. You don’t want to work for a thankless employer who treats its staff poorly. 

8. Who is your ideal candidate?

You might be afraid to ask this question because you think it implies you’re not the ideal candidate, but that’s not true. This is your chance to prove otherwise. You’ll give yourself an advantage because the interviewer might mention some skills and specific experience that weren’t mentioned in the job description. This provides an opportunity for you to mention how your work history has given you the skills and job experience the employer is looking for. 

9. What can you tell me about my predecessor?

This answer will give you information about the circumstances surrounding your predecessor’s departure. If the interviewer is willing to answer the question truthfully, you can find out whether the previous employee was promoted, asked to leave, left voluntarily, or decided to retire. This question will provide you with a wealth of useful information. You can get a better idea of whether you have a chance at getting promoted, whether the workers are happy, and what kind of environment you’ll be working in. 

10. If I get the job, what will be my first major project or goal? 

This will allow you to prepare for whatever might come your way during the first few days or weeks at the job. The answer will also tell you whether this is really the type of job you want to do. If it seems as though the tasks are very different from the job description, it’s possible you’re interviewing for a bait-and-switch position, where the employer lists all the good parts of the job and then leaves the undesirable aspects for after the candidate is hired. Employers sometimes do this when a position is hard to fill. 

Courtesy: Cheat Sheet.

Five Most Useless Job Skills Employers Don’t Want Anymore.

For millions of Americans, there’s nothing more frightening than waking up one day and discovering you’re redundant. You’ve suddenly become replaceable, and the world has moved on without you. What are you supposed to do? In all likelihood, you’ve invested many years in a specific career path. You’ve sunk tens of thousands into degrees and certificates. Perhaps you’ve even given up more lucrative jobs to chase a passion. 

Then, in one fell swoop, the rug has been pulled out from under you. It’s a scary thought. But for more and more people, it’s becoming a reality. The jobs of today are not the jobs of tomorrow. And the job skills you needed yesterday are not the job skills you need today — or tomorrow.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tell which way the economic winds will shift. We have an idea, though. Truck drivers are probably going to be out of work in the near future, for example. And most factory work is being automated. This means a lot of people need to take stock of their experience, skills, and abilities to keep pace. 

The first step is to take a look at your resume and purge all of the unnecessary or redundant information. That starts with job skills that no longer apply. If you want the jobs of today or tomorrow, you need to frame yourself as an employee who’s ready for those jobs. There are many ways in which you’ll want to take special care in preparing your resume, but a good place to start is by focusing on the key skills that will get you the job. 

Regarding the following skills, unless an employer is specifically looking for them, it’s probably best to leave them off of your CV. Here are 13 job skills employers aren’t looking for anymore. 

1. Microsoft Office: At this point, Microsoft Office is so ubiquitous that it’s pretty much an expectation you’ll know the basics. At least some familiarity with Word and Excel are going to be expected by most employers. Depending on the job or industry, possibly other programs, such as Powerpoint or OneNote, will be expected, too. If you know these programs, that’s great. But leave it off your CV unless the posting specifically lists them.



2. Word processing: “Word processing” is really a term or phrase from a past generation. Essentially, it means typing. You’re able to use a keyboard and get thoughts out of your head and into a word processor, such as Word or Notepad. Again, it’s pretty much expected at this point that you know how to type. If you don’t, it should be one of the first things you work on to get up to speed. 

3. Administration: The ability to administer isn’t bad — in fact, it’s a good thing. But it’s not necessarily a skill you’ll want to, or even need to, include on your resume. An employer should be able to tell administration is in your wheelhouse by looking at your experience and background. If leadership is in your bones, your resume should speak for itself.



4. Customer service: Again, this isn’t a skill that’s bad to have or that’s even outdated. It’s just something you shouldn’t have to put on your CV. If you’ve worked in customer service positions, your resume will relay that. And if you were bad at it your resume will probably relay that, as well. But if you’re good at customer service, your past job experience will likely speak for itself.



5. Ability to work on a team or independently: This is a popular phrase that employers like to use. It’s also meaningless. You’re either going to work on a team or by yourself, right? If you can walk and breathe, you’re going to be able to do one of the two. Some people work better alone, while others thrive in a team atmosphere. But this isn’t necessarily something you should list as a skill. Employers want workers to be able to work in a variety of situations. Once again, your resume should reflect your ability to do so at a glance.