Earning six figures might seem out of reach. Depending on where you live in the U.S., this kind of income might allow for a very comfortable lifestyle. However, only a small percentage of American households have reached a coveted six-figure status.
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 17% of U.S. households earn a six-figure income annually ($100,000-$149,999) as of September 2023.
You might be wondering: how did these Americans achieve such a high level of income? Well, it might be due to their ambition, preparedness and tenacity.
In a recent survey conducted by personal finance guru and New York Times bestselling author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” Ramit Sethi, the following question was posed to survey respondents: “What’s the most important thing during a job search?”
Here are some of the key takeaways from the survey:
- Americans with six-figure incomes rely more on referrals, recruiters and informational interviewers to find a job.
- They’re 25% more likely to conduct salary and company research.
- They’re 30% more likely to build their interviewing skills ahead of time.
- They’re 80% more likely to pitch hiring managers during an interview.
- They’re twice as likely to negotiate their salary.
- They’re four times as likely to set up a bidding war between different job offers.
To highlight these findings further, here’s what people making $100,000 to $199,999 had to say:
Make Connections
In business, making and maintaining connections is the name of the game. Sometimes, the best job opportunity (or best salary) may not be advertised on the open market.
“Making a connection with a contact,” said one respondent of Sethi’s survey. “I have my desired job now but it took me working somewhere else to prep and fit the job description.”
Success often thrives on connections and continuous learning. Failing to build a network or stagnating in your knowledge can impede your wealth-building journey. Be sure to actively seek opportunities to network with successful individuals. After all, in business, sometimes it’s all about who you know and less about what you know.
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Figure Out What You Want
Gaining a full understanding of what you want out of your next opportunity is key. Spend time thinking about what you’re capable of and figuring out how you can be the best at it.
“Knowing what you want to do helps (this might require some research and experimentation),” highlighted another respondent. “Also, a well-prepared (aligned with requirements) CV is important.”
Knowing what you want may set you apart from other applicants interviewing for the same six-figure job.
Ask Lots of Questions
When interviewing for jobs, asking lots of questions is arguably as important as knowing how to effectively pitch yourself to the hiring manager. Being inquisitive shows your genuine interest in the organization, and may help you land the six-figure position you’re chasing after.
“Interviewing is a two-way street, so be sure to ask all the questions so you can figure out if something will be the right next move based on all the things you want,” explained another respondent.
Additionally, having a strong network of seasoned professionals to learn from and exchange ideas with, you’ll begin to gain valuable knowledge. As the expression goes, knowledge is power.
Gain a Strong Understanding
While sharpening your elevator pitch and honing in on your communication skills before an interview are both crucial, so is gaining a strong understanding of the company you’re interviewing with.
“Gathering as much information as is practical,” remarked another respondent. “The more you understand the company’s specific needs for the target role, their strategic goals, their internal struggles … the better off you’ll be.”
Following these four pro tips might just land you in the 17% of Americans who earn a healthy six-figure income.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Ramit Sethi: 4 Job Search Strategies If You Want To Earn Six Figures
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