Here's a question I hear a lot:

“Should I ask for a raise this year?”

Well, the answer depends on your length of time on the job so far.

If you’ve been working in your job for at least one year, then my answer is:

"Yes! Ask for the raise."

However, if you’ve only been working for your company for a few months, then my answer is:

I have a quick tip for today that I think will help.

It applies not only for job interviews, but also for annual reviews, salary negotiations, and, in fact, any kind of "difficult" conversation.

Here it is:

Pay close attention to when and how you use the word "but".

In fact, if you can, get rid of it altogether.

(You can often use "and" instead.)

Handshakes are important -- especially when it comes to job interviews.

Why?

Because they're often the first and the last impression you leave. Also, interviewers believe that how you shake their (and their colleagues') hand says a lot about your personality and character traits.

I'm not sure if that's true.

Nonetheless, it's important to shake an interviewer's hand right -- i.e. in a way that conveys confidence, authority, and trust.

With that in mind...

This one might sound a little strange.

But it's one of those creative exercises that could yield something big for you, and perhaps even lead to a breakthrough in your job search.

Here it is:

Get your daughter -- or your son -- to write a cover letter for you, explaining why they think their mom or dad is perfect for the job.

Why might this lead to a breakthrough?

Because:

Sometimes when we’re feeling stuck in a job we don’t love, it seems like changing jobs is the only viable solution.

But then, after an exhausting search for a better job, a funny thing sometimes happens. After all, that energy spent looking, some folks end up realizing their dream job was right in front of them the whole time.

Let me give you some examples.

I once coached with a grandfather whose kids (and grandkids) lived too far away for him to visit regularly. He longed to be closer, but he was very happy in his job. The solution? He transferred.

When I was a child, I loved going to the circus to see the elephants.

It was amazing to see such powerful animals move so gracefully. But, I always hated how they were chained to a stake.

Now, they didn’t look unhappy to me.

Yet, I just knew they wanted to break the chain and run free to do whatever elephants do that makes their huge hearts sing.

The thing is: the chain holding them captive was so thin it was really more of a glorified rope. And even as a child, I could see it wasn’t strong enough to hold an elephant captive. It would snap like a worn thread of yarn if the elephant ever decided to make a break for the door. Yet, it never did.

Have you ever heard someone use the phrase “golden handcuffs”?

It’s what people say when they mean they’re feeling trapped in a job they don’t enjoy, but they stay because it pays so well.

I see it a lot and I truly empathize with the brave folks who stick it out when they wish they could be somewhere else.

The interesting thing is, what may seem like “golden handcuffs” of good pay, may actually be only an illusion. Sometimes, after subtracting the hidden costs of having the job, the pay isn’t quite as high as it seems.

Today, I'm going to share with you an important job search principle.

It's something I call the "Apple Pie" paradox.

Yes, it's counter-intuitive -- but when you understand this basic principle, you'll be able to tap into a whole new world of job opportunities.

Here's how it works:

When my mom used to bake us an apple pie, I used to dream about eating the whole thing all by myself. But, unfortunately for me, I had to share it with my dad and my brothers. So mom used to cut it into slices.

If I was really unlucky and my uncle and aunt were staying with us, she'd have to cut it into even more slices -- and my slice would be smaller!

Consider this the "Golden Rule" for reaching out to hiring managers (whether by email, LinkedIn message, or some other media):

Never ask for a job.

And I don't just mean literally asking for a job. Don't even mention or "hint" that you're looking for a job, or ask him/her if they're hiring.

Here's why:

It's what I call a "high-commitment request".

When you email a hiring manager (effectively) asking for a job, there are really only three ways he or she can respond:

It's one of the most dreaded interview questions of all time:

"Why should I hire YOU?"

Here's the important thing every candidate needs to know about this question: There is no "magic" one-size-fits-all, fill answer. Not if you want to blow the interviewers away and ace the interview.

How should you answer this question?