Whether it's hiring salary, benefits, raises or congenial terms in the case of termination, you want to take control of the earnings part of your career.

It can be tricky if not downright unpleasant. There’s probably a reason you’re in IT and not in law…. But this compendium of insights, experience and advice should guide you in your progress—from the initial contact about the job to the final goodbye.

What Do You Put in That “Salary Desired” Box?
How can you reasonably say how much you expect to earn based on a three-sentence job description? We all know the reasons that employers ask this: They want to confirm that your background is somewhere in the right range. And, of course, they may sort the acceptable résumés in order of the cheapest-to-acquire candidates. But it makes the process no less frustrating. Weigh in on how you reply to that tricky question.
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How to Negotiate an Employment Contract
Employment contracts are standard for CEOs and are often inked for other high-level executives like presidents, chief operating officers and even chief financial officers. They're not as common for IT executives and they can be tricky for employees to negotiate. Nevertheless, it's a wise idea to ask for some kind of an employment agreement—whether a formal contract, a list of stipulations in a multi-page offer letter or a severance agreement—that sets forth the terms of your hire and termination. Doing so can mean the difference between smooth sailing or a crash landing in the event your employer decides to drop you like a bad habit. Here’s a guide to negotiating the best contract.
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PLUS: Sample Executive Severance Agreement

Negotiating Your Worth
You get what you negotiate, not what you’re worth. Career consultant Dora Vell tells you how to do both.
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Podcast: Negotiate This!
When you're staring across the table at the people who want something completely different, how can you ensure that your needs are met? In this three-minute podcast, executive coach John Baldoni explains how to negotiate.
Listen now.

Self-Assessment: How Extreme Is Your Job?
If you put in long grueling hours at the office—and working at home—you’re not alone. More and more Americans—including CIOs—work in an “extreme job,” defined by a recent Harvard Business Review study as a high-paying position that requires 60 hours or more per week and possesses certain characteristics regarding work flow, travel, and job responsibilities. Think your job is extreme? Take our poll and find out just how tough you have it.
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Are You Adequately Compensated?
Blogger Meridith Levinson suggests the answer is probably—if you look at more than salary.
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