Start promoting yourself now!

Get paid what you're worth. You like your $15 an hour job, but you think you're worth more. Solution: Post an ad highlighting your skills and experience. Here's how it works: Ask for $20-$25 an hour. Let's say your ad pulls in a job offer for $22 an hour. Your strategy: Take a couple of days to respond. Tell your current employer about the new offer, and ask her for $20 an hour. If your employer says no, try $18. If she still says no, accept the new job.

Did you settle for a low-wage? Get a raise. You make $13 an hour and have a good job. But you need and should make more money. Solution: Place an ad asking for $17-$20 an hour. Here's how it works: If your ad brings in an offer of $17, negotiate! Tell your prospective employer it will take at least $18 an hour to change jobs. If he says no, you haven't lost a thing.

Get the promotion you deserve. Your skills are under-utilized. At $15 an hour you're underpaid. Solution: Take a step up! Here's how it works: Place an ad in the Hospital Manager section asking for $25-$30 an hour. At the same time, place an ad in the Vet Tech section asking for a Head Tech position at $20-$25 an hour. Accept the best offer.