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How to Convince a Manager to Hire You
Tweet Share on Facebook January 11, 2011 Comment (3)Hiring managers are in a tough spot. With smaller budgets and fewer hiring opportunities, every job offer counts. And the pressure builds when several people have their hands in a hiring decision and department executives focus heavily on significant ROI for new hires. A poor hiring decision is felt for months or even years.
That means hiring managers are cautious. And if they cross the line to indecisive, the interview and offer process can drag out for you, the job candidate.
So how do you help a hiring manager get past any reservations and choose you?
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Is That Interview Question Legal?
Tweet Share on Facebook January 10, 2011 Comment (12)You’re sitting in a job interview and your interviewer asks you:
“So, do you have children?”
“What church do you go to?”
“What an unusual last name. Is it Japanese?”
Interviewers aren’t supposed to ask these sorts of questions. But what do you do when one asks anyway?
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Keys to Nailing Your Next Performance Review
Tweet Share on Facebook January 7, 2011 Comment (3)A performance review isn’t just a formality—it’s an opportunity to further the growth of your career. But it’s up to you to make sure it’s a positive experience. Whether you received a good or bad review last year, you can take steps to improve the process in 2011.
Rather than allowing the feedback from your review to come as a surprise, schedule a meeting with your manager now, at the beginning of the year, and ask these four questions. They’ll help you develop a clear plan of action for the coming months.
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Tips for Evading the Salary Question
Tweet Share on Facebook January 6, 2011 Comment (18)It's hard not to panic when asked about salary during a job interview—and it will inevitably come up during the interview process. This can be especially difficult when switching industries or moving to a new city.
But how you respond to questions about how much you want to make will directly affect your future compensation package. That means that gracefully dealing with salary questions is one of the most important interviewing skills you can master.
Here are some key points to consider when discussing your salary requirements with a potential employer:
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Avoid These Career Mistakes in 2011
Tweet Share on Facebook January 6, 2011 Comment (6)It’s a new year, and for most people that means looking at ways to make the coming year better than the last. If one of your goals for 2011 includes loving your work more, here are six mistakes to avoid:
Don’t make today’s fear your long-term reality.
It’s stressful out there right now. People are out of work. Or they’re overworked in a job they’re afraid to quit. There’s a lot of anxiety, fear, and anger brewing, and it’s easy for that to spiral into an endless, self-perpetuating loop that blocks any positive perspectives.
I’m not suggesting the fear and anger aren’t merited, nor am I suggesting you should pretend they don’t exist. But you might want to think twice if you’re letting them color your entire picture.
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How to Rock Your Next Job Interview
Tweet Share on Facebook January 4, 2011 Comment (22)It’s easy to get nervous before a job interview, especially if you haven’t had one for a while. And if you’ve been out of work for an extended period of time, each opportunity to interview becomes increasingly important, adding to the pressure.
But with a new year comes a fresh start. And your next interviewer knows nothing of your past mistakes. So take the time to prepare using these tips, and you’ll walk into your next interview confident and ready to put your best foot forward.
Here’s how to rock your next interview:
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What to Say When the Interviewer Asks How Much You Make
Tweet Share on Facebook January 4, 2011 Comment (19)During the interview process, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll be asked about your salary requirements. Along with that question, a hiring manager or human resources employee might casually ask, “How much do you make now?”
Employers want to know what you earn now or what you’ve earned in the past for one reason: so they can hire you for the lowest possible salary. If you answer truthfully, you could be looking at a minimal increase from your last job. But if you lie, you could cost yourself the opportunity.
Here are a few honest ways to tackle the question:
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Be Cautious When Referring a Friend for a Job
Tweet Share on Facebook January 3, 2011 Comment (8)Referring a friend for a job certainly has its benefits. But if you choose to go this route, you’re not only opening the door to an opportunity, you’re also taking professional and personal risks.
That’s why you should think it over carefully and proceed with caution before making a referral. Here are the potential down-sides you should consider:
1. If your friend is hired but doesn’t work out, it can reflect poorly on you.
