A reader's comment to my last blog raised the important issue of salary negotiation. In this case, the reader wanted to know what to do about a significant discrepancy between a salary offer and what she wanted. My response addressed some of the most immediate issues, namely criteria for negotiating a higher salary if she really wanted the job.

On a broader scale in decision-making about a job offer, the issue of salary needs to be considered among many factors that are less tangible, but not necessarily less important.

Compensation is easy to evaluate since it's specific and we know how it will impact our lives--whether it's enough to achieve our financial needs and goals or not. Some people find it difficult to step back from the bottom line offered and determine how the job itself will affect the quality of their lives. This emphasis on the financial benefits is understandable given the values of our culture that makes a connection between how much one earns and their innate worth.

Recently, I was in conversation with a colleague who had extended a job offer to a candidate after a lengthy interviewing process. The salary he offered was less than the candidate was currently earning, but high in the advertised salary range for the new position. The candidate was disappointed in the offer and stated she had anticipated that she'd earn more than she was currently earning. Note: This is not an adequate reason to demand a higher salary. Clearly stating your value-added and how your skills, background and experience particularly lend themselves to the position will take you much farther in the negotiation process for more compensation.

Her response was a surprise to my colleague since she stated during the interviews that she wanted to change jobs for reasons other than to increase her salary. Eliminating a commute and working in the community in which she resided, plus having more of a direct impact on the people served by her organization were key reasons she wanted to change jobs and ones that were consistent with the new position. But when the offer came in, she hedged on her priorities and ultimately turned down the offer because of the salary.

However, a new client with whom I recently spoke is clearly attempting to walk his talk. While he currently makes a six-figure income, he is keenly aware that the demands of his job have taken a toll on his health and eliminated any semblance of work/life balance. Not only is he adjusting his lifestyle so he will be in a position to increase his options and consider a lower salary, but he is taking the time to explore organizations that support the type of balanced lifestyle he desires. He has determined that finding a job that allows him time to play his favorite sport, explore a new relationship and have a dog, far outweigh the compensation package.

Sometimes it is what is lacking in one's current job that helps a person clarify what they need in the next one. The challenge is often to remain vigilant to what is truly important in the face of the ever-present lure of more money.

I know you must be on pins and needles wondering if daughter Kate was offered and accepted the new job in San Diego! Well, I wish I could tell you some news, but I can't, because she has not yet heard from the prospective employers.

Kate's experience is typical of the many stories I hear from people in the throws of the job search. Rarely does a prospective employer keep to the timeframe that was mentioned during interviews. So, if you are overdue for communication from your job prospects, don't take it personally, or assume you are out of the running.

It is very frustrating to wait longer than expected for an offer of employment. Sometimes people wait weeks beyond the date they were told they would be called; only to finally receive a form letter stating another candidate was selected. While getting rejected is disappointing, at least the applicant can then put that option behind them and move on.

There are many people who never hear from an organization, sometimes after spending hours in interviews. This type of unprofessional behavior on the part of employers tends to span all positions. I've heard this saga from aspiring CEO's to administrative assistants. It's rude and fosters bad public relations not to close the loop with anyone who has invested time and resources in applying to an organization.

Here's what I advise people regarding follow-up communication after submitting an application or participating in an interview:

After sending in an application or résumé:
- Call the organization to confirm receipt and inquire about the timeframe for hiring for this position.
- If you have not heard from them by the time mentioned, call to determine the search's progress.
Following an interview:
- If, after sending a prompt thank you email or letter, you have not heard from the employer in 10 days, call the person with whom you interviewed. That is, unless you were told the process would take longer. In that case, wait a week after the stated contact date has passed and call then.

While calling every other day might make you seem like a pest, you have every right to request an update on your candidacy for employment after a period of time has passed since you first made contact with the prospective employer.

I'm back in Maine and still wondering if daughter Kate will have a new job soon. Her meeting with the start up company owners went well, but it raised questions in Kate's mind. While it seems likely she'll receive a job offer, her reservations are significant enough for her to request a follow up meeting where she will hopefully reach resolution about her concerns. How she has approached this job prospect gives points to consider in anyone's job search:

- Go into your interview prepared. That means, you should have an idea of the particular abilities and skills needed and examples of how you have demonstrated them in past jobs, internships or volunteer experiences. These "vignettes" should be brief, but effective. It's not enough to merely state that you have certain skills, you need to back them up with examples.
- See yourself as an active participant in your job search. During interviews, listen for any red flags that might come up for you and, after the meeting, jot down questions that you will ask in the next phase. You may have to initiate a meeting after the offer of employment is extended.
- Let go of any desperate notions that you "must have" a particular job. Such a mindset may prevent you from seeing aspects of the prospective job that might cause you problems later on if you do not investigate them in the beginning.
- Make sure you have a job description before accepting any position, even if the job is new and you will be shaping it as you go along. Otherwise, the expectations of you will not be clear, possibly creating a problem at your performance review.
- Ask the same, key questions to different people during your interviews. The consistency of the responses will give you a sense of what is really true.
- Before you leave the interview, ask for the business card of anyone with whom you met. This will make the follow up easier.
- Always follow up an interview with a thank you that acknowledges a few points you discussed that relate to your qualifications for the job. This can be done by e-mail or handwritten.

Stay tuned for Part 3: What to do when the offer comes in…