According to experts, when you are asked how much you expect your salary to be during your job interview, you are actually asked on what you think your worth is. In others words, how well you can perform the tasks or responsibilities of that job.

DitoNa.com received an email from someone with a dilemma on this situation. For privacy reasons, let’s just call her Jane. Her question is, how do you know your worth and how do you get the right compensation? She graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science at one of the best universities in Cebu. She was offered a position in a big law firm as a legal assistant with a starting pay of P25, 000. A pretty much once-in-a-lifetime opportunity however her college dean approached her with a chance to be a teacher at her university. Jane has always loved to talk and to share her knowledge. Teaching was very natural to her as she mentioned on her email. She also had other offers but these were the only ones she was seriously considering.

When her dean asked her what her expected salary would be is she didn’t know what to answer. She knows that the basic salary of a teacher isn’t that much and she was already offered P25, 000 as a starting pay on a law firm, how can the university beat that? She left the dean’s office wondering about it.

Now she stands on the crossroad whether to go left where a potential career boost awaits or to go right where she can enlighten the minds of many and fuel her passion in life.

If you are like Jane, all you need to do is to know your worth. By that I mean, know what you are capable of and how you still want to grow in terms of your career as well as a person. Ask yourself what you really want then imagine yourself 5-10 years from now and picture out how your life would be like. If you are caught up with decision-making in your career then weigh their offers first.  If you choose this path what would you get aside from a huge salary offer? Think about the benefits, the work load and environment, your career growth, and of course the happiness and fulfillment it will give you.

Like for instance, many people today work in call centers or contact centers because it offers high salary but if you look at it on a different view. The high salary would cover graveyard shifts—working overnights; working on holidays and even on weekends, being on the phone and in front of a computer for 8 hours a day and 5 days a week talking to people from a different culture. That’s a complete change in your lifestyle.  You should always ask yourself if it’s for a long term, is it what you want and if you are ready for that job.

As what Robert Kiyosaki wrote in the famous book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, “Work to learn and not to earn.” Experience is something that we can’t buy, it teaches us lessons in life that we need as we pave the way to our dreams. Life is but a constant change and a learning adventure. So on your way to your success make sure you learn, love, and enjoy the journey it brings.

About the Author:

Geeko is a pen name of a Computer Engineering graduate from University of San Carlos. He’s the Project Coordinator and Marketing Head of Global Interactive Solutions, Inc. that specializes on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Website Development, Ecommerce, Content Management System (CMS) and Software Applications. He’s a blogger and currently manages the social media of DitoNa.com. He maintains an enormous wealth of ideas and information. Very active in conceptualizing things and put them into action with faith and trust. Oh he’d be pleased if you would follow him on Facebook by clicking here.