When you've spent a long time looking for a job, you might be tempted to accept the first offer you get. While that's an understandable reaction, it's not a good idea. You must first decide if the job you've been offered is right for you. It is better to have to keep looking—particularly since you have some momentum going— than it is to start your search all over again if, after a few months, you decide that the job wasn't a good fit after all.

While it's true that the perfect job probably doesn't exist, you should try to find one that is as close to perfect for you as possible. There are certain criteria you should always consider when you are deciding whether to say "yes" to a prospective employer. Find out what they are. Read How to Evaluate a Job Offer.

Last month my family and I visited the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. If you're ever in the DC area, I recommend you go. It was a fun and educational way to spend a few hours. Interesting facts about spying were displayed on panels in the museum 's lobby. The one that jumped out at me, of course, had to do with careers. It stated that prior to September 11, 2001, an average of 110 people per day applied for jobs with the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Six days after that terrible day, on September 17, 1,100 people applied to the CIA. That is an incredible increase, but I was just astounded to see the original figure of 110 applicants. It got me thinking about spying careers.

Although career information on the website of The National Clandestine Service (NCS) of the CIA never mentions the word "spies," it is obvious that that is what its employees are. For example, if you were to follow one career path and become a core collector, you would recruit and handle foreign sources of human intelligence. Recruit and handle foreign sources of intelligence? Sounds like spying to me. There are other career paths, but all revolve around that function in some way. If you are interested in being a spy, you might want to consider a career with the NCS. Read Do You Want to Be a Spy?

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Physical therapists treat patients who have problems with mobility or pain. Among their patients are accident victims and people who have arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries and cerebral palsy.

To become a physical therapist, one must earn a master's degree from a physical therapy education program and pass both state and national licensing exams. This field has an excellent job outlook. Employment will grow much faster, through 2020, than it will for other occupations (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition).

If you think you might be interested in this occupation, you should learn more about it. Read Physical Therapist: Career Information. This article will give you basic details about this occupation, including information about earnings, educational requirements and advancement opportunities. Next, read a firsthand account of life as a physical therapist. It will help you discover more about this occupation than a written description can provide. Finally, take the Should You Become a physical therapist? quiz to help you decide if this career is a good fit for you.

More: Other Physical Therapy Careers

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When I learned that someone I know asked his boss for a raise by explaining that he had a large mortgage on his house and a lot of other bills to pay, I cringed. I can't stress enough how that was absolutely the wrong approach to take. Your mortgage and your bills aren't your boss's concern and you should not bring that up when you are negotiating your salary. It's not about needing or wanting a raise. It's about deserving one because of what you are contributing to your employer's bottom line. You earn your salary, your employer doesn't give it to you. Your salary should be based on what you do for the company and what you bring to the table.

If you think it's time for a raise, read How to Ask for a Raise. Learn what you need to do before you meet with your boss. Find out how to schedule your meeting and how to make your case. Even see what to do if you get turned down.

Related Article: Dos and Don'ts of Salary Negotiation

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