What do you envision for your life? Maybe you’re currently living it (and if so congratulations to you,) but I’m going to bet that most of us are not there yet.

If you’re like me, dreaming of life in a high-paying job that requires minimal work and unlimited free time, how do you plan on getting there?

Pop Quiz!

Thinking about salary negotiation makes you want to:

1. Throw up

2. Run away

3. Never ask, just be grateful to get hired

4. Wait, I’m supposed to negotiate?

Whether you’re a new career or a seasoned executive, salary negotiation is a critical skill you can always improve on.

As a former recruiter, I received numerous applications for a limited number of positions. To streamline the selection process, I looked for candidates who were not only qualified but also showed enthusiasm for the opportunity. I could easily spot those who submitted countless applications without researching the company or position.

Every company wants a unicorn. They all think they’re unique and want to hire the best of the best.

One of our clients is a smart, "out of the box" thinker. She has spent the last several years working as a respected Analyst where she is appreciated by her team, and feels comfortable in her environment. She works remotely. She makes OK money. Her #job is fine.

But she spends every work day thinking about not being in this job. Her mind is distracted and she doesn't feel fulfilled at work. She would love to make a change, but to what? She's unsure of her direction, and the thought of doing more of the same job is paralyzing.

News of the September Surge is everywhere. If you haven’t heard of it, the time between Labor Day and Halloween is traditionally the best time to look for a job, aka the September Surge. Official job numbers don't necessarily support an increase in hiring, but hiring managers, recruiters, and job seekers have anecdotally reported that this is the best time of the year to find a job.

And hiring does slow down around the holidays, so if you’re hoping to make a switch before the end of the year, you should be ramping up your efforts NOW to do it.

We’ve collected some of the most common advice on how to prepare for the September Surge and are breaking it down below: