3 ways to find out if you're making as much money as you're worth

Everyone expects to be fairly compensated for their work, but it can be difficult to be sure that you are. You may have to do a bit of research to find out, but it's worth it. You'll need this information to negotiate your salary and benefits - whether it's your current job or a new job.

So how do you know you’re being paid fairly? We have three tips to help you get started.

Talk to industry colleagues

Sometimes the easiest way to get the answers you need is to ask around. It's understandable that you may not feel comfortable asking your direct colleagues about their salary. If you do that and they're willing to tell you, that's great. But maybe you need more data - and you need to be more discreet about obtaining it.

Glassdoor's Fishbowl is a place where you can get candid answers and advice directly from a company's employees. Think of it like getting a glimpse into the true culture of a company. Tapping into a company's employees can be especially useful when you receive a new job offer (and are wondering whether it's too high or too low compared to others) or when you want to know what other benefits and support you should ask for from the company .

The point is to arm yourself with enough information to make the terms of your negotiations non-negotiable.

Look online for company reviews

Another way to find out about the treatment and compensation of employees in a company is through company reviews on platforms such as Glassdoor or Kununu . Current and former employees leave reviews about companies, commenting on factors such as:

• Remuneration (salary and social benefits)
• Workplace culture and company policies
• Compatibility of work and private life
• Career path/development opportunities
• Interview and hiring process

Of course, the most popular functions on rating portals include information about the average salary for individual positions and the general satisfaction of employees with their salary.

Another important function of business review sites is the ability to make comparisons. You can rate two companies side by side to see how they compare. You can also find out how your skills are rated in different industries, which may give you the guidance you need to move into a different industry.

Use a salary calculator

All too often we don't get paid what we're worth because we undervalue ourselves. A little preliminary research can make a big difference here. Before negotiating your salary, find out what the salary is for someone with your skills and experience.

Salary calculators can show you how much a person in a particular position can earn over time, depending on factors like location and years of experience. They can also give you a better sense of your total compensation, i.e. how much you will potentially earn with your base salary and additional compensation such as annual or performance bonuses.

While one can always hope that an employer will counter a low offer from a candidate with a higher offer, there is no guarantee that this will happen. That's why it's important that you do your research and use the tools available to you to find out what you're worth. Your next step is to promote yourself and close the contract.