Earnings commensurate with your skill set: Everyone wants market value for their pedigree, accomplishments, certifications and position. But what does that really mean and how do you quantify that? There are tools out there, such as salary.com and the U.S. Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics), that can help you understand what your desired position’s median income might be based upon such things as location and experience. You need to know your salary requirements before you can go in and effectively begin the interview and negotiation process.