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How to Ask for a Raise
Tweet Share on Facebook June 13, 2012 CommentThinking about asking for a raise but not sure how to go about it? Here are four key steps to making the request successfully:
1. Start by understanding the market rate for your work.
To build a case for a raise, you need to know how much is reasonable to ask for. How much would your work go for on the open market? The most obvious way to figure this out might seem to be to consult the many websites that provide salary information. However, many job seekers report that these sites don't account for the fact that job titles frequently represent wildly different scopes of responsibility. More reliable methods include:
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5 Things You Must Consider Before Relocating for Work
Tweet Share on Facebook June 12, 2012 CommentConsidering relocation as part of your next career move? Certain cities may be a better fit for you than others. When looking for the next city to work in, think of these factors:
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4 Tried-and-True Time Management Techniques
Tweet Share on Facebook June 12, 2012 CommentIf your current time-management system involves 5-hour ENERGY drinks or three to four cups of coffee per day, it's time for a change. But cutting back on your work is likely not an option: In this competitive job market, taking on more responsibility and exceeding expectations is a given if you want to advance in your career.
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5 Tricks to Keep Facebook From Hurting Your Job Search
Tweet Share on Facebook June 11, 2012 CommentAre you revealing more than you should on one of the most popular online social networking sites? Facebook has become so much a part of how we stay connected that some of us are forgetting that those connections often extend well beyond our anticipated audience.
Here are two examples:
1. Employers research you through a friend of a friend. Now more than ever, employers use Facebook to form opinions about those who work for them and those they're considering for employment. And for a vast majority of Facebook users, these employers don't need a password to find out what they want to know. Usually, all they need to know is a mutual friend.
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10 Things Your Interviewer Won't Tell You
Tweet Share on Facebook June 11, 2012 Comment (1)Wondering what's running through your interviewer's mind? Here are 10 things your interviewer might be thinking—but probably won't tell you:
1. You showed up too early. Many interviewers are annoyed when candidates show up more than five or 10 minutes early, since they may feel obligated to interrupt what they're doing and go out to greet the person. Some feel guilty leaving someone sitting in their reception area that long. Aim to walk in five minutes early, but no more than that.
2. We're judging how you're dressed and groomed. In most industries, a professional appearance still matters. You don't need to wear expensive clothes, but showing up in a casual outfit or clothes that don't fit properly, having unkempt hair, or inappropriately flashy makeup can harm your chances.
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How to Learn From Startup Mistakes
Tweet Share on Facebook June 7, 2012 CommentYou might already understand how to scale your business model profitably. But if you have any doubts about the product offering—whether people will buy it, whether it has a place in the marketplace, etc.—then you are clearly working on a startup.
This is a critical distinction, because the tactics and goals of a startup are entirely different from those of a company.
A startup isn't exactly a business; it's a set of promising hypotheses that can potentially give birth to a successful enterprise. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs fail because they confuse the two, and pursue strategies that are inadequate for the stage they're at with their company.
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Want to Be Happy as an Older Worker? Branch Out on Your Own
Tweet Share on Facebook June 7, 2012 Comment (4)When we think of independent workers, we tend to think of younger people in the middle of their careers. But MBO Partners' State of Independence in America report reveals that a full 30 percent of the independent workforce are baby boomers.
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How to Work from Home Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Job)
Tweet Share on Facebook June 6, 2012 Comment (29)Working from home might sound like a dream come true when you consider the prospect of having no commute, working in sweatpants, and doing laundry in the background. But it isn't easy; it takes discipline and structure, and it's not for everyone.
If you're thinking of telecommuting, these 10 crucial steps will help keep you productive—and employed:
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Finding a Job That's Just Right for You
Tweet Share on Facebook June 6, 2012 CommentIs there a right way to conduct a job search? Each job seeker is different, but many skip a very important step: identifying a right fit job.
William Tate is the president of HR Plus, which provides employment and background screening for employers that range from Fortune 500 companies to start-up enterprises in the private, government, and non-profit sectors. He says today's job seekers need to "go guerrilla and creatively energize their search for a job."
Here are Tate's suggestions for job seekers who want to be sure to land a position that may become their true calling:
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8 Etiquette Tips for Salary Negotiation
Tweet Share on Facebook June 5, 2012 Comment (4)Any situation that involves asking for more money can be awkward and unpleasant. But when it comes to salary negotiation, you should consider it one of life's necessary evils (like dentist trips or pesky insurance payments) that you just have to endure to prevent future regrets.
Why? Because employers have a tendency to low-ball their employees—it's in their best interest to start low so that if you choose to counteroffer, the numbers won't be too outrageous. Those who don't ask for more miss out on tons of money.
Salary talks might be uncomfortable, but realize that counteroffers and negotiations are just another routine process. There is no shame attached to asking for what you truly deserve. And with proper preparation, you can come out a stronger, more confident professional.
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