Six Essential Salary Negotiation Tips

Salary is the most awkard issue in the hiring process. Discussing the compensation often causes anxiety on both employee and employer. Here are six ways to make the process of salary negotiating efficient.

1) Research: Before the interview process begins, contact the professional organization that represents your field of career. As soon as they provide you with your salary information, you can now examine your monthly cash requirements. Remember that once your taxes are added to your paycheck, approximately 30% of your gross monthly salary is deducted.

2) Determine your skills: You should understand that different segments of the economy require a variety of skills depending on the industry setting. Once you have established what your skills are and what they are worth to the current employment market, you would know the limitations of your negotiation.

Salary range information is available at American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries, National Association of College and Employers, Career Center, and professionals in your related field.

In stating your salary range, avoid basing your desired salary on your current salary. Always tell the truth when it comes to your past salary. It is acceptable to extend a range to approximately $6,000 to show that you are within the company's price range but interested in more compensation.

3) Weigh the company's compensation package: To determine your fair market value for a specific job, you should consider the economic, geographic, and industry factors of the job offer. Weigh the benefits of compensation and promotions, insurance, allowed time off and retirement settlements of the offer to ensure a fair proposed salary.

4) Sell yourself: If you know what you could offer the company requires a larger income, never say it directly. Once you sell yourself discreetly, the interviewer would understand that the proposed salary is not appropriate for your background.

5) Have a positive attitude: In negotiating, never compete. Negotiation is basically a process which could benefit both parties. Understand your needs and those of the company.

6) The final offer: Be aware when the negotiation is done. Pushing further when a deal has been set could give a negative first impression on your part.

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Career Advice - The Job Interview Is Your Time At Bat

After months of searching for a new position you have finally been invited to come in for a face-to-face interview. What are you going to do to maximize your chances of getting an offer that will advance you toward your career goals.

First, decide whether or not the job would advance you toward your career success? Sometimes people interview just to see what's in the job market. If you are not serious don't waste everyone's time. Besides, it could backfire if your present employer hears you are interviewing.

Remember that a job interview is a two-way process. It ought to be a time when two parties seek to gain a better understanding of each other and why it would make sense to get together.

Go into an interview with two objectives in mind. One is to gain a full understanding of the prospective employer and the position - both positives and negatives. The second goal is to get an offer.

Be prepared. This sounds too obvious to mention. But a surprisingly large number of people go waltzing into an interview unprepared, depending on luck and charm to carry the day.

Know as much as you can about the company, the position and the person who will be interviewing you.

Have a game plan. Determine the key points you want to make. Structure your presentation in terms of the needs and interests of the employer. Stress your achievements in a concise and orderly way. Many people flunk out because they are unable or unwilling to speak positively about their achievements. An interview is about career success; it's not a time for false modesty.

No matter where the interviewer takes the discussion, return over and over to your major sales points.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Many times applicants fail to ask pertinent questions for fear of appearing to be too "pushy" or negative. To the contrary, your willingness to ask questions shows preparation, interest and a healthy state of self confidence. Such questions might include: May I read a job description? Why is the position open? Where would I fit in the overall organization? What are the opportunities to move forward on my career path?

Ask about salary after you see there is definite interest on both sides. However, don't inquire about vacation time and other perks until an offer has been received.

Be prepared to answer tough questions, even if they come out of left field. What are your weak points and strong ones? Why do you want to change jobs? What do you think of your present employer, boss, co-workers? Have you ever been fired? Why? What is your present salary? What do you expect to be paid if you are offered the position?

Never show impatience or irritation. If the interview is going off track and you are losing interest, it is far better to bring the discussion to a graceful end, than to let these feelings show and leave a bad taste.

The importance of personal appearance cannot be overstressed. Know the environment and dress accordingly. Lean toward the conservative in dress. Sit up straight, even if the interviewer is slumped over like a wet noodle. Don't fidget. Make and keep eye contact. Have a shine on your shoes.

Recognize the interview may begin in the reception area while you are waiting to be ushered in. Look and act like you mean business and expect to get what you want. Don't kid around. Get a feel for the environment.

Make your best case. Avoid overselling. Show positive interest, but don't appear to be overly anxious. Provide all the information requested, plus the points that you think are important. However, avoid giving answers that are too long and complicated.

Be very sensitive to the timing and pace of the interview. If you sense you have overstayed your time or that the interviewer has lost interest or reached a negative decision, take the initiative to bring the visit to a close. When you leave, express your appreciation for the opportunity to visit and then leave in an orderly fashion. Never, never hang on for one more run at selling yourself.

Always follow up the interview with a "thank you" note whether or not there is mutual interest. Never burn a bridge behind you.

These steps won't guarantee an offer, but they surely will improve the odds for career success.

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Four Steps to Career Achievement

Recently, I read a wonderful quote by William A. Ward, American scholar, author and pastor. Here's the quote: "Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently."

Besides the memorable alliterative nature of the quote, bells went off in my head. To me, the quote epitomized the true meaning of what it takes to have a successful career.

Let me explain.

First, "Plan purposefully." How does this apply to your career?

You've probably heard the statement, "If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up someplace else." Setting your career direction is the first, and most critical decision you need to make. How can you possibly reach a goal unless you define it?

Ask yourself "What do I want?" You'll find answers in your dreams, yearnings, the thoughts you've placed on the shelf, and what you're naturally attracted to. Talk to people about what they do and if a profession seems interesting to you, ask more questions and do research.

If you've decided that you want to move up in your organization, model your behavior and actions on high achievers and learn how to use office politics and the corporate culture in your favor.

Second, "Prepare prayerfully."

Trust that you can and will get what you want. I'm referring to having faith that with careful planning, hard work and a laser-like attention to your goal, it can become a reality. Focused intention is powerful.

When I was in human resources at Squibb Corporation, I remember wanting so much to be promoted into a recruiter position. My intention was strong and I worked diligently for 3 years, learning as much as I could, asking for and taking on more responsibility.

I was promoted shortly thereafter. Yes, it was the realization of a dream that I trusted would happen. But I planned for it. I asked for what I wanted (from my boss and of myself) and took tactical action steps (learning how to interview by enrolling in classes and by screening candidates.)

Faith coupled with planning is a winning combination.

Third, "Proceed positively."

Once you have decided on what you want and carefully crafted a plan to realize it, fuel it with good thoughts and an upbeat attitude.

Did you ever notice that it's always the people who think they will succeed, who do? That's no accident. Beyond the power of positive thinking, I truly believe you can shape your destiny by your thoughts.

Start each day being grateful for what you have, and expect good things to happen. More often than not, they will.

Fourth, "Pursue persistently."

Woody Allen once said: "Eighty percent of success is showing up."

Your goal is often waiting for you right around the corner after your last setback. Just when you feel that your plan is not going to work because you're tired, or discouraged by a naysayer, that's the time to try once more.

Of course, along the way you might need to tweak or refine the plan. That's being smart. Advice from a trusted mentor should be welcomed and folded into your action steps.

If your heart is telling you to proceed, listen to it. And take action every day.

What small, incremental steps can you make today to move your plan forward? Your new career is waiting!

Dale Kurow, M.S., 

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Mistakes to Avoid at a Job Interview If You Really Want That Job!

When you are going on a job interview, you will want to avoid mistakes that may end up costing you the job. Job interviews are very coveted at this point of time because the economy is so bad. Jobs are very difficult to get as are job interviews, so when you get one, you want to be sure to avoid any mistakes that you can make that might blow the job for you. Avoid the following mistakes when you go to a job interview:

Being negative about past job experiences

This is probably one of the biggest mistakes a prospective employee can make. Never be negative about past job experiences. No matter what the circumstances of your last job, try to turn it into a positive. Look for what you learned in that job and do not make any negative comments about your past jobs or past bosses.

Being unprepared for questions

The purpose of the job interview is for the employer to find out what you know about the job and to ask you questions. If you are unprepared for questions and stumble around when you are asked questions, you may end up blundering the job interview. Be prepared to answer questions that will pertain to the type of job that you will perform.

Forgetting your manners

Stand up when you meet your prospective boss and offer your hand in a handshake. Look the other person in the eye when you greet them and tell them your name. When you leave, stand up and shake hands again and tell them that it was a pleasure meeting them. Forgetting your manners will end up costing you the job interview. Be polite, shake hands and look someone in the eye when they are talking to you. Do not slouch in your seat and sit up straight.

Dressing inappropriately

If you are a man, you should wear a suit to a job interview. If you are a woman, a suit dress or a skirt and blouse is fine, although a suit is better. You should dress up with heels and stockings if you are a woman and dress shoes with dark socks for a man. Never wear too much makeup if you are a woman and easy on the perfume or cologne, too. You want to look professional, not like you are going to a nightclub.

Pretending to understand what you do not know

If the prospective employer asks you a question that you do not know, admit it. Everyone may fudge a little on their resume and even in the interview, but if you are totally lost in the question and do not know the answer, you are better off to admit that you do not know the answer than try to fudge your way through an obvious lying answer. The question may be a trap, too.

Avoid these common blunders when you are going on a job interview so that you can ace the interview and get the job.

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Are You an Ex-career Woman Living In a New Country?

Were you once a successful, professional woman who had a significant status level and received adequate remuneration for your work?

Have you re-located to a new country where the educational degree you worked so hard to achieve is neither recognized nor considered valid?

As a result, have you now settled for a job for which you are overqualified and living paycheck to paycheck?

If you once had a successful professional career and answered yes to the above, you probaby understand how frustrating it is, to be unable to practice your profession in a new country.

The decision to immigrate to another country is a courageous act which involves leaving everything that you know and everything that makes up who you are. It usually means starting over, making changes and finding a new job or career.

As a skilled professional woman, you already have a unique combination of marketable skills and experiences, optimism about your future prospects in the new country, education, commitment and motivation to work in your field of expertise, language ability and a desire to learn new things expertise...so, it's really puzzling and shocking when you suddenly find yourself unemployed or unable to find a job in your field.

It is therefore important that you wake up from your slumber and do something about making your life a success.

To start making something of your life in a new country, you need to:

1. Stop being in denial.

Accept change and be ready to change! Your past successful life is always going to be a part of you and no one can take that away from you. However, the rules of the game in the new country may mean that you may no longer be the successful, lawyer, doctor, CEO or professional you once were.

As painful as it may be to accept...don't spend your days talking about who you were in the past and dwelling in the glory of your past success. Don't live in denial any longer than you must. Accept the fact that your circumstances have changed and start looking for constructive ways to make the best of your life in the new country.

2. Take a stand for your life.

When people move to a new country, they usually want to live in a place where they have some contacts, relatives or friends. However, some of these people you know, may have resigned themselves to living unfulfilled lives and may try to prevent you (by their comments or actions) from expecting more for yourself.

If you want to make a success of your life, you must take a risk, go against the negative majority, choose to be different and take a stand for a positive future. The decision to get out from among people, who will hold you back from doing something with your life, is worth it!

3. Don't lose your sense of self-worth.

Your professional occupation is a large part of your identity and an integral part of your life. However if you have settled for less and are now overqualified for your job, you may feel that the work you are doing is not a valuable contribution to society. As a result, you may start questioning yourself and feeling worthless.

You are not worthless! Find meaning and purpose in what you want to do and begin to pursue it with vigor. After counting the cost, make the decision to do what you have to do to make your life a success. Stop settling for less than you deserve, start standing up for yourself and for your dignity.

4. Stop being invisible.

If you were used to being recognized by members of your community who were aware of your professional merits, you may be feeling very "anonymous" in the new country.

If you were previously a highly active, social and professional woman, don't chose jobs that will relegate you to the back office and hide you behind a pile of meaningless paperwork. Look for a job that projects your social qualities and allows you to interact more visibly.

Find a career that allows you to fully utilize your skills. This could mean starting your own business, finding a new career, going back to school or finding means and ways to become actively involved with people in your profession in the new country or abroad.

5. Be informed about the work culture of the new country.

This may seem pretty basic but it should not be taken for granted. If you want to get ahead you must stop running around like a headless chicken and begin to familiarize yourself with the lifestyle, culture and work ethics of the new country. For instance, do you understand the work place terminology? What kind of transferable/employable skills do you need? Do employers require curriculum vitae or resumes? What is the academic equivalent of the professional qualification you hold?

Sometimes the hardship you are facing is not brought about by you as a person but by your lack of research on the basics. Make the adjustment easier for yourself by tailoring your life to fit into the new place and not vice versa.

6. Increase your social networks.

There is always a close connection between one's occupation and social status. When you are unable to transfer the occupation that you once held to the new country you now live in, you also lose social status. It is therefore important to have a network of people that you can trust and depend on.

You can have personal networks like friendship groups and social organizations and also join and actively participate in professional associations, community networks and support groups that are involved with issues that interest you. These networks also play a useful role in combating the feeling of being alone in a new place and can also be good idea or lead generators for a new job.

7. Don't be complacent...do something!

Don't wallow in self-pity. Hold on to your dreams and your goals. Work steadily and take risks to achieve them. Persevere and be resilient. Do what you have to do, to ensure that you make a success of your new life.

Be strong! Although there are many barriers to be overcome in a new country, let not your spirit be tarnished. Look within yourself for the strength to move forward with your life. With a positive attitude, you will find that there are a lot of things that can bring you ultimate success.

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