• 2-minute read •
Imagine a world where you don’t have to cover your screen when your boss walks by so she doesn’t see you checking Facebook for the millionth time. Or a work environment where it’s considered mandatory to be glued to your phone, snapping away and scrolling through Instagram with a vengeance.
Well, this world exists, and you could be part of it, getting paid to help companies successfully market their products and services on social media.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Monster found 10 social media jobs in the digital marketing space where you’d spend at least part of your 9-to-5 scrolling, liking and sharing with the world.
Showing posts with label You. Show all posts
Showing posts with label You. Show all posts
8 jobs where you get paid to travel
• 2-minute read •
We get it. The daily grind in Cubicleville can take its toll—especially on those who love to travel. The good news: There are plenty of great jobs for people with wanderlust.
And chances are, the younger you are, the more pumped you are to find a job with travel perks. According to a recent survey by Hipmunk, 38% of millennials travel for business, compared to just 23% of Gen Xers and 8% of baby boomers.
So, if you’re looking for work where you get to see the world, consider these eight careers where travel is an essential part of the job.
We get it. The daily grind in Cubicleville can take its toll—especially on those who love to travel. The good news: There are plenty of great jobs for people with wanderlust.
And chances are, the younger you are, the more pumped you are to find a job with travel perks. According to a recent survey by Hipmunk, 38% of millennials travel for business, compared to just 23% of Gen Xers and 8% of baby boomers.
So, if you’re looking for work where you get to see the world, consider these eight careers where travel is an essential part of the job.
5 Things That Are Doing More Damage To Your Job Application Than You Realize
• 2-minute read •
When you’re searching for a job, it’s easy to spot a good position and just go through the motions of submitting a resume and cover letter without even thinking. But when it comes to making yourself stand out among all the qualified candidates, being on auto-pilot only hurts you. After all, just one little blunder can turn a recruiter off.
To avoid that from happening, we’ve identified five pretty common—but surprisingly harmful—pieces of information that most of us are guilty of including in our job applications. Next time, leave them off—and focus on the information that’ll really make you shine.
When you’re searching for a job, it’s easy to spot a good position and just go through the motions of submitting a resume and cover letter without even thinking. But when it comes to making yourself stand out among all the qualified candidates, being on auto-pilot only hurts you. After all, just one little blunder can turn a recruiter off.
To avoid that from happening, we’ve identified five pretty common—but surprisingly harmful—pieces of information that most of us are guilty of including in our job applications. Next time, leave them off—and focus on the information that’ll really make you shine.
10 jobs that pay you to be on social media all day
• 2-minute read •
Imagine a world where you don’t have to cover your screen when your boss walks by so she doesn’t see you checking Facebook for the millionth time. Or a work environment where it’s considered mandatory to be glued to your phone, snapping away and scrolling through Instagram with a vengeance.
Well, this world exists, and you could be part of it, getting paid to help companies successfully market their products and services on social media.
Imagine a world where you don’t have to cover your screen when your boss walks by so she doesn’t see you checking Facebook for the millionth time. Or a work environment where it’s considered mandatory to be glued to your phone, snapping away and scrolling through Instagram with a vengeance.
Well, this world exists, and you could be part of it, getting paid to help companies successfully market their products and services on social media.
Hating Your Job Might Be Making You Sick
• 2-minute read •
Having a job you dislike not only sucks, it might also be impacting your health.
Job-related dissatisfaction experienced in your 20s and 30s can lead to overall health issues just 10 or 20 years down the line, according to a new study from the American Sociological Association.
“We found that there is a cumulative effect of job satisfaction on health that appears as early as your 40s,” said lead author Jonathan Dirlam, a doctoral student in sociology at Ohio State University.
Having a job you dislike not only sucks, it might also be impacting your health.
Job-related dissatisfaction experienced in your 20s and 30s can lead to overall health issues just 10 or 20 years down the line, according to a new study from the American Sociological Association.
“We found that there is a cumulative effect of job satisfaction on health that appears as early as your 40s,” said lead author Jonathan Dirlam, a doctoral student in sociology at Ohio State University.
Should You Use a Chronological or Functional Resume?
• 2-minute read •
Too many people make the mistake of thinking that a resume's purpose is to get them a job. Actually, resumes open and close doors. Their main purpose is to make an employer interested enough to invite you in for an interview.
But how do you create that interest when you don't exactly fit the mold? Just as people come in different sizes and shapes, so do resumes.
Too many people make the mistake of thinking that a resume's purpose is to get them a job. Actually, resumes open and close doors. Their main purpose is to make an employer interested enough to invite you in for an interview.
But how do you create that interest when you don't exactly fit the mold? Just as people come in different sizes and shapes, so do resumes.
How to convince a potential employer you want to downshift your career
• 2-minute read •
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “career trajectory”? Most likely, you’re thinking of career advancement. That kind of trajectory is admirable because it shows professional progress. You’re movin’ on up.
But what happens when you want to go in the other direction? Family obligations, your personal well-being and shifting priorities can all cause you to need to slow down.
What do you think of when you hear the phrase “career trajectory”? Most likely, you’re thinking of career advancement. That kind of trajectory is admirable because it shows professional progress. You’re movin’ on up.
But what happens when you want to go in the other direction? Family obligations, your personal well-being and shifting priorities can all cause you to need to slow down.
Five self-employed jobs you could be doing right now
• 2-minute read •
Looking for a job where you really get on with your boss?
If you dream of a flexible career where you can always work on your own terms, then becoming self-employed might be the perfect fit for you. And it striking it out on your own really isn’t as scary as it sounds – especially if you make sure it’s something that really suits your skills.
We’ve already covered whether becoming self-employed is the right choice for you, but to help inspire you, here are five self-employed jobs you could be doing right now.
Looking for a job where you really get on with your boss?
If you dream of a flexible career where you can always work on your own terms, then becoming self-employed might be the perfect fit for you. And it striking it out on your own really isn’t as scary as it sounds – especially if you make sure it’s something that really suits your skills.
We’ve already covered whether becoming self-employed is the right choice for you, but to help inspire you, here are five self-employed jobs you could be doing right now.
Turn The Job They Offer Into The Job You Want
• 2-minute read •
You’ve gotten the offer, congratulations! Maybe you’re inclined to accept. It’s been a long search, the offer seems pretty good, and if you hesitate they might just change their mind, right? Not necessarily. Nine times out of 10 it’s in your interest to pause, take a short time to reflect on the job itself, and depending on what you find negotiate to get what you want.
You’ve gotten the offer, congratulations! Maybe you’re inclined to accept. It’s been a long search, the offer seems pretty good, and if you hesitate they might just change their mind, right? Not necessarily. Nine times out of 10 it’s in your interest to pause, take a short time to reflect on the job itself, and depending on what you find negotiate to get what you want.
What's Eating You?
Mad that you were passed over for a big promotion again? Livid that the bootlickers always seem to get ahead in your organization? Perhaps it's time to consider whether the anger itself, however legitimate, is holding you back. Evidence suggests many of us are walking around the office feeling resentful, though we may be unaware of the cumulative toll bitter actions take on our careers and coworkers.
According to a report by Donald Gibson of Fairfield University and Sigal Barsade of Yale University, one out of four employees is substantially angry at work. The study, "The Experience of Anger at Work: Lessons from the Chronically Angry," indicates most workers are not so angry that they're ready to cause the boss physical harm, but they are angry enough to sabotage him.
Workplace anger is not only potentially harmful to the organization, but it can also cause serious health problems, including chronic anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. Learning to deal with your anger constructively will improve your well-being and make you a more desirable and promotable employee.
Why Are So Many Employees Angry?
According to Gibson's survey, workplace anger is most often directed at an employee's supervisor or the organization in general. "Feelings of anger at the individual level are a signal that a wrong has been committed or that goals are being blocked," Gibson says.
I spoke with twelve employees from a variety of businesses about their anger at work. Each felt that one or more of the following caused the anger:
Employee was promised a raise, promotion or important project, and it did not happen.
Employee was told to do something he felt was wrong or incorrect.
Employee could not live up to a supervisor's expectations, because the expectations were too high or continuously changing.
Supervisor was a micromanager and criticized employee frequently.
Employee felt better qualified and skilled than his supervisor.
Another employee doing the same job made more money.
Sometimes the anger may stem from outside sources. Many times, employees are dealing with stressful events in their own lives, and the resulting anger can carry over to the workplace. Divorce, a death in the family, financial pressure, and serious illnesses can all cause an individual to become overwhelmed and irritated. Rarely are we taught to deal with loss and stressful situations, so we tend to bury those feelings, which can turn to anger or rage over time.
Steps to Control Anger Constructively
We all become irritated or angry every now and then. What can we do to control that anger and be more constructive? Gibson, who cowrote "Managing Anger in the Workplace" as a follow-up to the survey, offers the following strategies for controlling anger:
Avoid anger as much as possible. This doesn't mean suppress your feelings, but rather improve your outlook on yourself and life so there are fewer situations in which you would become angry.
Think about your anger and determine if it really makes sense given the situation.
Control your physical response to anger by doing constructive things, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and avoiding alcohol. The healthier you are, the more likely you are to respond appropriately to situations.
Let go of unmanageable anger. Many situations will be out of your control, so it is important to let go of this type of anger. Ask yourself, "Can I resolve whatever it is that's causing this anger?" If you can't, then you need to let it go.
If you feel anger and are having a difficult time dealing with it, see if your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP providers typically allow employees to see therapists in these circumstances. You don't have to live in a state of bitterness, anger or rage. If you deal effectively with your anger, you will increase your chances of being promoted at some point -- and of being an effective leader when the time comes.
When Anger Strikes:
Take several deep breaths.
Repeat a calming word or phrase in your mind, such as "relax" or "stay calm."
Slowly count to ten.
Ask yourself, "How would my favorite leader handle this situation?"
Avoid tensing up your muscles. As soon as you can, close your eyes and consciously think to unclench your jaw and loosen your muscles.
Listen to your favorite music.
When you're feeling angry after you leave work, change clothes as soon as you get home. This simple gesture will help you change your state of mind.
What does your CV say about you?
So what does your CV say about you?
Your CV is one of the most important documents that you will ever have to create in your life. And yet, many people spend no more than an hour creating their CV!
Perhaps their CVs are accurate then? Maybe their entire work history can be hastily written in an hour - all their skills, knowledge, qualifications, interests and experience! Or are they just underselling themselves?
Take a step back from your CV
Think about it for a minute. You are giving these few sheets of paper to a complete stranger and hope they will help you change your life! Sure, you know what you meant in that summary you wrote....but do they?
Often, people miss out certain important aspects of their capabilities because they assume that the person reading the CV will know what they meant. But is this the case? Not always.
Try to step back from your CV and think about what you have wrote. Pretend a complete stranger handed it to you and have a think about what your CV really says about you. Consider even passing it to a friend or relative and ask them to read over it.
This is particularly effective with people who don't know much about your profession - chances are the recruiter will know just as little! Well, that usually isn't true, but if you assume it is, then you cover yourself!
Split it up
Take each section of your CV and write in on a separate document and have a look at it on its own. Remember - recruiters will be focusing on individual parts of your CV more than the CV as a whole (it's all new to them - they are reading it and learning about you for the first time).
Another benefit of doing this is that it lets you refine areas of your CV one by one - I don't know about you, but my tendency used to be to jump from section to section, doing little bits here and there. This can lead to your CV having an inconsistent feel.
Do you like what you read?
Having read your CV as if it weren't your own, can you honestly say you liked what you read? Is the person you describe on your CV the kind of person you would hire for the job you are applying for?
What have you missed? What does the person lack that you have?
Summary
Don't just churn out a CV and send it out to apply for jobs. It's a very important part of your job search and if you don't get it right, you will get more practice because you will be applying for lots of jobs!
Ambition Is Just A Word Until You Act
Ambition is a sanctified ideal in the folklore of successful careers. Just the word - as in "She has always had a lot of ambition" - evokes a degree of respect and admiration
However, in practice, ambition is not inherently a good and a positive force. Ambition may be embraced or ignored; used or abused. It can even become an excuse for failure. It all depends on how it is employed.
True ambition is not dreaming and talking about what you want to achieve. Ambition is knowing where you want to go, how to get there, and doing what it takes to reach the goal. The key is to combine ambition, which means desire, with initiative, which means action.
There are lessons to be learned from the way Harry K. managed his ambitions.
Harry had been in his job less than one year, but he was already restless and frustrated by what he saw as his lack of progress.
"I am ambitious," he told everyone who would listen to his complaining. "I will be a success, but I'll never make it doing little insignificant things day in and day out. I could do a lot more; they just won't give me a chance."
Harry Had Potential, But...
Joe, his supervisor, believed Harry had the potential to succeed, but knew he was underperforming and creating a problem for the entire staff with his constant complaining.
Joe called the young man in for a performance evaluation. The meeting soon turned into a confrontation when Harry began to push his case within a few minutes.
"I am still doing the same old things. I know I'm paid less than the others in the department. It's just not fair," he began, ignoring the compliments he had been handed at the beginning of the conference.
"Harry, you have been with us for only eleven months," Joe replied. "You are the newest salesman; everyone else has been here at least three years. They've worked their way up the ladder.
"You are making reasonable progress, but, let's face it, you are still short on experience. Give it a little time."
Joe complimented Harry again and went on to suggest that his work habits needed some improvement.
"Harry, you are late most mornings, and you are out of here right at five o'clock. And, frankly, I think you could improve your performance by devoting a little time at nights and on weekends to learning more about your job."
"You are not being fair," Harry bristled. "The company is not paying me as much as it pays the rest of you. I work the hours you pay me for. Sure, I know you and the others stay late, but I don't have anything to do; and besides, as I told you, I am not married to this company. You pay me and I will show you what I can do."
Harry went on to spell out his expectations. "I'm on the fast track. I expect to be a Group Manager in six months. I just can't wait around forever."
Joe saw the discussion was dead-ending, but he still believed Harry had potential. He made what he thought was a fair offer.
"Let's speed up your learning curve. Work with Bill Davis as his assistant. You will gain a lot from his experience. We'll also provide you with some special training. However, I can't give you a raise now, since our budgets are frozen; but if you do as well as I know you can, I promise you'll get an increase in three months."
"That's not fair," Harry charged. "Everyone in the department knows Bill is past his prime. He is worn out. I would be running his errands. I don't think that is much of a promotion, certainly not what I deserve."
Harry never recovered from that discussion in the eyes of his supervisor and the department head. He soon left the company.
Unfortunately, Harry never learned the real meaning of ambition. He used his stated ambitions as an excuse for his failures, telling everyone things hadn't worked out with various employers because he was "too ambitious to wait around to be promoted."
The lesson here is simple. Ambition is nothing more than a word until it is coupled with commitment and action.
How to Cope When You Are Overqualified for a Job
Are you professionally overqualified for your job? Are you having trouble finding a job that fits like a glove? Have you settled for a job that has no relation whatsoever with your professional skills?
When you are professionally overqualified, there are usually lots of stressful issues, which have to be dealt with. You may be forced to adjust your entire life and mold it to fit your current situation. This can be very stressful, frustrating and can even lead to depression.
It is therefore important to equip yourself with some tips on how to cope during this period when you feel like you have been hit under the belt.
6 coping tips for overqualified you:
1. Talk to your boss.
You may have to schmooze to do this; you have to do what you have to do to get where you want to be. Don’t be shy about telling your boss or any other significant person in your organization about your other professional skills.
Let them know that you would be interested in applying for other positions within the company, which match your skills better. Ask your boss to let you know about suitable positions that are open. Inquire about policies relating to internal candidates seeking to fill vacant positions within the company. Speak out…Mother luck may just smile on you!
2. Prepare to mentally re-adjust.
Life is tough as it is and being professionally overqualified means that you have to have the right mental attitude to adjust to your situation.
Mentally re-adjusting involves accepting your position and planning how to deal with it. You have to be prepared to not only deal with being a direct report to a boss who may be less qualified than you but also a leaner paycheck and a bruised ego.
You may also have to trim your resume and down play your qualifications to suit your current job description. The ability to maintain a positive attitude will do so much for you in terms of preserving your sanity. It never hurt anyone to look on the bright side.
3. Search for a more suitable job.
One good thing about being overqualified is that there are always other options available. Mount an aggressive job search, update your resume and keep all your relevant job related documents ready.
Begin to research your industry while look at current job listings on the Internet. Check for job openings posted in the classified section of your local newspaper and contact temporary employment agencies that hire professionals.
Be aggressive about your job search. Find out what additional skills employers are looking for and what you need to do to get a cutting edge over the rest of the job seekers in your field. Network with people who can give you leads about job availabilities in the sectors that interest you. Don’t give up.
4. Don’t be afraid to start fresh.
It is sometimes easier to get a clear perspective of what you really want to do when life is not going as smoothly as you expect. Take time to search your soul and take an inventory of what matters most in your life.
If you feel that you may have a better chance in another professional field, don’t be afraid to start a new. New beginnings can be a welcome relief especially if your current skills are standing in the way of better opportunities.
It’s never too late to start a fresh. Be prepared to adjust your life to new experiences and other opportunities
5. Join a professional association.
Volunteer or seek membership in a professional association that addresses issues in your field of expertise. This will keep you abreast of the latest developments in your field and keep you intellectually challenged.
Making contributions to the association and being actively involved in its activities will give you a chance to indirectly pursue what you are qualified to do. It will also give you a chance to meet and network with stakeholders who may widen your chances of getting hired in your preferred field.
6. Consider it a learning experience.
There are many lessons to learn from being professionally overqualified. Apart from acquiring new job skills, you may discover that you have strengths in other fields which your never knew you had.
Sometimes it takes hardship for the best attributes we have to surface. This may also be an opportunity to view things from another perspective.
Are You a 'Value-Added' Employee?
What is your focus when you go to work? Are you thinking "What can I give today?" or "What can I get?" Both questions are important, however, the former will get you further faster. It's that simple.
Often, when I am consulting with a company or team, the hew and cry is "The company/ management does not do enough for me/us." This may certainly be true, however, my first question is the opposite, 'What are you doing for the company/management?'. That's the way the equation works best. You give and then you get. Strangely, that's the way it works best in any relationship. Have you noticed that?
What you pay attention to expands. If you are focused on what you think you are not getting, that overshadows everything. Attitudes shift and conversations turn into whining sessions. Soon, morale dips and everyone is complaining. Often, the complaints have grown completely out of proportion and no one remembers why they were attracted to the company in the first place.
You can change this. Be a 'value-added' employee. Build your strengths rather than focusing on company weaknesses. What a concept! You choose your focus and attitude. You choose how you use your time. You choose your perceptions and perspectives. Use that power to become 'value-added'!
Now, I'm not talking about giving 'til it hurts. No, I'm talking about the way you use your energy to focus on your career path. Sure, there are employers who devour employees and spit them out spent, burned out and disillusioned. They exist. If you're working for one of those...and examine it carefully to be sure...move on.
I am talking about your choices to create the career you want. How do you want to be seen in the workplace? How does your current position further your progress towards your goals? Why did you choose it? What is your plan and how can you best follow that blueprint in your present position? Be pro-active in your own life.
How do you want to be seen in the workplace? As competent, confident and valuable, or, as adequate, mediocre and expendable? Unless you are working for Attila, the Hun, the way folks see you is mostly in your control. Good employees come to work on time, do their tasks well, and cause few waves. Great employees do all that and more. They are focused on the company's mission and vision. They can be excellent team-players and excellent leaders when needed. They are clear about their own purposes and visions and know why they have chosen to work where they work. They care about others and help them to achieve their goals. They do these things because it clearly moves them further along their career paths. It is in their own best interest to do so. They have their 'eyes on the prize'.
Here are a few secrets. Many folks would rather complain about things than fix them. By being a 'fixer', you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather find fault than good. By catching people doing things well and commenting on it, you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather see what they can get away with than see what they can give. By giving just a little more than expected, you honor yourself and you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather feel 'done wrong' than state their needs and boundaries. By being clearly communicating what you need and want, you are saving time and energy...and being 'value-added'.
Which side of these equations are you working from? Only one will get you where you want to go...although you'll have much more company on the other. Your choice!
Do You Have Enough Time For Fun?
Is there enough time in your day for fun? Are you able to find moments to laugh at the little things? Are you able to see the joy in your job, you family, and your friends?
Or, are you too focused on getting things done rather than focusing on what's important to you? Are you too busy checking off items on your to-do list? Are you unable to remember the last time you had fun?
Or, are you too focused on getting things done rather than focusing on what's important to you? Are you too busy checking off items on your to-do list? Are you unable to remember the last time you had fun?
Fun is what brightens our world. It gives us a reason to get out of bed everyday. It improves our health, mental well-being, and self-confidence. You can not feel bad about the things we should be doing when we are having fun every day.
Would You Like To Have More Fun? Follow These Easy Steps:
1) Acknowledge That You Are Not Having Fun
The first step to having fun is admitting that fun is missing. Once you know it's gone, you can take steps to put it back in.
2) Recognize That Life Is Too Short
We say that we understand this, but sometimes our actions are not consistent with our words. If we really understood that we may not be here tomorrow, we would do everything in our power to enjoy today.
3) Realize That We All Make Mistakes
Sometimes we cannot have fun because of guilt we feel from past mistakes. All your guilt does is prevent you from moving forward. It does not matter what you did yesterday. You did the best you could and you should congratulate yourself for trying. Put it behind you so you can be free to enjoy the future.
4) Spend Time Around Kids
There is nothing that fills the heart more than watching kids. (Usually) They enjoy life to the fullest and they do so without inhibitions or restraints. They laugh because they want to. They run because they want to. They roll in the mud, snow, grass, etc. because it feels good. Imagine if you could incorporate that kind of freedom into your day. I bet it would be different.
5) Delegate Or Eliminate
If the day to day tasks are weighing you down, find ways around them. Are you asking for help with the chores, or are you doing everything yourself? What can you order online so you don't have to go to the store? And, who can you hire to help with the cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc. Yes these things cost money, but do you think that not having fun is costing you more?
6) Schedule Time For Fun
In the beginning you may have to put fun into your calendar until you are used to having it in your life again. I know this may sound funny, but old habits die hard and your goal is to acquire new habits. After a while you will find that fun will become a daily part of who you are. But, in the meantime, you may have to put in some discipline.
7) Reward Yourself For Having Fun
Guess how you do this? With more fun!
So, are you ready to find time for fun? In return, you bring joy, love, passion, and intimacy into your life. You will find that you are enjoying yourself more. Your friends and family will want to be around you because there's something about you that makes them feel really good about themselves. Imagine being able to give them the gift of a fun you? So, will you make time for fun today?
Should You Accept the First Offer?
Whether you've just been laid off, feel stuck in a dead-end job or your local economy is less than booming, it's often tempting to accept the very first job offer you receive.
But smart job seekers know that they must assess all their options before making such a decision.
Money Matters
If you're taking the first offer that comes along because you're in dire financial straits, chances are, it's not more money you need. Rather, it's a better money management strategy.
People who are more financially secure are less likely to feel pressured to accept their first job offer. Many financial experts suggest that a crucial part of financial security is having at least six months' salary in the bank. This will get you through tough times and prevent you from accepting a less-than-ideal offer.
First Offer or Last Offer?
What else prompts people to accept the first job offer they receive? Typically, it's fear. Nervous job seekers will often wonder, "What if nothing better comes along?"
If you're being afflicted by this fear, evaluate your job search efforts to date. Have you done everything possible to attract all potential opportunities? Are you contacting recruiters? Is your most current resume posted on Yahoo! HotJobs? Does everyone in your network know you're looking for a new opportunity?
To truly assess all of your options, make sure you're leaving no stone unturned in your search.
Don't Settle for Second Best
Some job seekers cringe at the thought of accepting the first job they're offered because they fear their dream job is still out there. "What if something better comes along?" they worry.
You can put these worries to rest by creating a "new opportunity checklist" at the beginning of each job search. What are your must-haves? What are you nice-to-haves? Weigh your first -- and every -- job offer against your checklist. What's there? What's missing? What additional information do you need to make an informed, intelligent decision?
Also, assess your post-interview mood. Did you leave feeling excited about the possibility of working at that particular company alongside
the people you met? If you're not feeling very enthusiastic, you might be settling. And, as a result, you might find yourself searching for yet another job sooner rather than later.
The Wisdom of Rejection
An often-overlooked benefit of evaluating and rejecting a job offer is that you can discover what's really important to you.
You might notice some of your nice-to-haves are actually must-haves. You may come to learn that you don't want to change industries. You could determine that you're interested in relocating to another part of the country.
Whatever your realizations, exploring your opportunities will give you the confidence to accept or reject your first job offer. And it is confidence -- not desperation -- that drives the best decisions.
Determine What You're Worth
Determining your worth is an essential first step in your job search.
Once you know the salary you can command, you can decide which jobs fall into your desired range and could be right for you.
Your salary research can also come in handy during the interview process, should the subject of salary come up. And it'll definitely be helpful if you get a job offer and want to negotiate salary.
Use this advice to figure out what your skills and experience are worth to a potential employer.
Information at Your Fingertips
Your salary expectations should be realistic.
Every position has a general salary range, based on what professionals in that job are currently earning. Research the range for your position before you start your job search.
Look online for the most accessible and up-to-date salary information. Salary Wizard lets you research salary by industry and location.
Go to the Source
Once you've researched the average salary for the job you're seeking, it's then time to go deeper.
You need to consider the job market in your industry as well as the value of unique knowledge and skills you may have.
Talk to people who work in the industry you're targeting. It's not always appropriate to discuss salary -- especially with people you don't know well -- so choose your contacts carefully. If you're working with a recruiter, he should be willing to share salary information. You can also ask advice of a mentor or close friend in the industry.
Finally, online communities and message boards are a useful and anonymous way to research salary.
Worth Is Subjective
What you're worth to a potential employer can vary. You may be more valuable to an employer if there's a shortage of people with your skills. You'll also likely be worth more in a market with a labor shortage or in a location with a small number of qualified job seekers.
Because a company will consider candidates with a range of skills and experience, they probably won't decide upon a specific salary for a position. Instead, they'll come up with a range that they're willing to pay.
You should think in terms of a salary range too. Determine the low and high salary that you're most comfortable with. And then assume that you'll probably end up somewhere in the middle.
More Than Simply Salary
So you've calculated your worth as an employee in the current market. And you've come up with a salary range that you're comfortable with. But there's one more thing to consider: Benefits.
Understand that your worth to a company is reflected in more than simply your salary. When a company decides what to pay an employee, it counts benefits as part of that compensation.
Companies include health insurance, 401(k) accounts and stock options in employee compensation. They also count perks like car allowances, vacation time and flexible schedules in a prospective employee's compensation package.
So when you're considering a job, think about the whole compensation and benefits package. And then decide if a company is truly giving you what you're worth.
7 Things You Must Do in an Interview
When you are looking to make the Big Leap -- the one that puts you closer to the power centers of a business or organization -- the interview process will likely be different from what you've experienced before. The more senior the person or people you're interviewing with, the more definite their ideas are likely to be about what they're looking for. They know that their own continued success depends on hiring the best people.
So how do you prove your readiness for the big leagues? By thinking like a big-league player. This interview will be different from others, but it will be your best chance to impress the decisionmakers, so there are some key points you want to be certain you get across. Here are tips to help you succeed:
Show You Get the "Big Picture"
Any number of interview candidates may possess specific subject-knowledge valuable to a business. But the candidate who goes beyond mere information and displays an ability to use it well is more likely to get the job. Senior executives and managers generally want people who pay attention to and understand the broader view.
Tip: Demonstrate you recognize patterns and understand their importance; that you know how to use and synthesize information.
Find Out What Keeps the Boss Up at Night
Do your homework so you understand not only the job or promotion for which you are applying, but also the job of the senior executive above it. Do you know to whom this person reports, and what the top issues are for your boss's boss?
Tip: Make that knowledge part of your interview conversation. Show an interest not only in the specifics of the job, but in the product and markets for that company. Ask broad questions: "What do you think the potential growth in the Indian market is?"
Look for Answers
Senior managers are looking for candidates who are creative thinkers focused on finding solutions. It is less important that you show you know the details of the problems the organization faces than that you're able to demonstrate readiness to look for options and find solutions.
Tip: Think about problems in the past you've identified and managed to solve. Show readiness to tackle the tough issues.
Show Some Guts
Chances are whoever you're interviewing with got where he is by showing some moxie, and you should too. Top people need and want folks around them who are not afraid to speak up and will confidently assert their ideas. It is the only way to be part of the process.
Tip: Be ready with an example of a time when you weren't afraid to go out on a limb and your actions helped bring about real change.
Show Your Softer Side, Too
Yes, you should speak up and assert your ideas. But there will be times when the folks at the top will want-- will even need -- for you to go along once a decision has been made, even if you don't agree with it.
Tip: Think about past experiences you can discuss to demonstrate you're comfortable with the challenges of a dynamic environment.
Listen
Just as you want to make it plain in an interview that you are not too timid to speak up, you want to make it clear you are not over-confident or intent on dominating the process. Demonstrate you are able to listen without being too eager to cut off dialog.
Tip: Ask questions that reflect the concerns of the questioner in a constructive way. For instance, if you are asked what you would do in a certain situation, resist the temptation to answer before you've asked some questions of your own.
Keep It Positive
If there's one thing senior managers have a universal distaste for, it's whining. Remember, every hiring manager wants to hire a team player who will bring positive energy and real initiative to the job. Be ready with examples of positive suggestions about problems or issues that you took initiative on in order to demonstrate your people skills.
Tip: Steer clear of any criticism of prior managers, even if invited to offer it.
How Long Should You Wait for an Offer?
You have an interview or two for a position you really want, and everything goes well. It's a regular love fest between you, the hiring manager, and your future boss. Your heart skips a beat when you're told, "We'll have an offer to you by the end of the week."
But what happens when a week goes by and you don't receive an offer? Should you sit by the phone and wait or throw in the towel?
"Neither!" says career counselor Robin Ryan, author of "60 Seconds & You're Hired!" She believes professionals should continue their job searches until they receive and accept a formal job offer. "Even if you're certain an offer is coming, do not stop job hunting. These things have a tendency to fall apart."
Take Action
Don't wait too long to follow up after an offer fails to materialize. Ryan advises, "Contact the person who said you'd be getting an offer no more than a few days after you were to receive it." Ask leading questions about its status. She suggests, "Ask your contact, 'Where are you at with this?' or 'When will this come through?'"
Ryan adds, "If you're told that the process is going to take a bit more time, ask, 'Are you talking weeks or months?'"
Know that if you are being stalled, Ryan feels it is risky business to idly wait on an offer. "If it doesn't come through and you haven't been searching elsewhere, you're going to get really depressed," she states.
Poof! There It Isn't!
There are a number of things that can delay a job offer. Some are tied to how large a corporation is and how elaborate the hiring chain of command is. If you're applying to a Fortune 500 company, the process as a whole may take longer than at a small business. However, job offers can fall apart at anytime -- and at any size company.
Reveals Ryan, "A hiring manager may be stalling you while an offer is out with someone else for the same position. You also may be promised a job only to learn that the funding for the job is no longer there." She reminds job searchers that mergers, too, may kill a position's creation or eliminate an established job altogether.
Hold or Fold?
If you feel that your job offer is stalled indefinitely, you may be tempted to try to force a potential employer's hand by saying that you have another offer (when you don't). Best-selling author Ryan says, "Never bluff! Many companies -- especially bigger ones -- will call you on it and tell you take the other offer."
Rather, says Ryan, inform the recruiter, "I'm continuing to interview, but I'm still very interested in this job." She urges candidates to try to find out what is really happening with the position and get a commitment from the company.
If the offer does vanish, Ryan reminds workers to remember, "There's more than one dream job out there."
Are You in the Best City for Your Job?
Elizabeth A. Campbell was happy with the job offer from a top Houston law firm, but she wasn't itching to leave the comfortable life she had built for herself and her two teenage boys in suburban New Jersey. Other than a detour to Michigan for law school, she was a lifelong Northeasterner.
Campbell drew up a table of the pluses and minuses of relocating. On the plus side: more affordable real estate, no state taxes, cheaper food and services, an international airport, and strong schools and sports programs. Only one minus: saying goodbye to friends and family.
It has been almost a year since Campbell joined Houston's Andrews Kurth law firm as a partner and chief diversity officer, and the angst is long gone. She sold her 2,800-sq.-ft. house in Bordentown, N.J., for $350,000 and upgraded to a 4,200-sq.-ft. place on a golf course with five bedrooms and a game room six miles outside Houston. The price: less than $325,000.
Houston Is Rolling in Oil
"The bottom line was: 'How come I didn't live here already?'" Campbell said. "I came here because of a job. But it's a wonderful city, and I can see myself retiring here."
Only a few years ago, Houston was reeling. The implosion of Enron in 2001 had sandbagged the local economy, and the mood was grim. But that seems like a long time ago now. The explosion in energy costs has boosted the city's oil- and natural gas-fed economy, which is home to ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell, as well as Waste Management, KBR, and many more. Job seekers in all sorts of careers have started streaming into Houston, where the unemployment rate was 3.8% in April, the lowest level in eight years, and where the job growth rate was 2.8%.
Businessweek.com worked with Seattle's Payscale.com to determine where the best and worst cities are for 20 common careers and found that -- when it comes to earning a comfortable living -- Houston it at or near the top for most jobs, from human resources manager to graphic designer. We adjusted the median compensation for jobs in each of the top 25 big-city metros for cost of living. Houston, Dallas, and Charlotte, N.C., rose to the top for many of the jobs because they're affordable cities with competitive salaries. New York, San Francisco, Washington, Los Angeles, and Boston, which have some of the highest salaries, sank to the bottom because residents there pay through the nose for real estate, parking, groceries, and almost everything else.
Accepting a lower salary might make financial sense if you were willing to leave an expensive city such as Seattle and settle in, say, Oklahoma City. But it's also important to know when a salary looks higher than it actually is.
When Is a Raise Not a Raise?
"What looks like a 20% raise might turn out to be a pay cut if you're moving from a less expensive place like Pittsburgh to San Francisco," said Al Lee, director of quantitative analysis at Payscale.com, which provides real-time salary information to individuals and employers.
For example, the median income for the executive director of a nonprofit in New York is $87,800, more money than you could expect in any other of the nation's 25 largest cities. But on our list, New York is actually the worst place for the job because -- adjusted for cost of living -- the salary would be equivalent to just $41,400 in a city such as Detroit where lifestyle costs equal the national average.
Of course, there's more to a job than compensation (the number of available jobs, opportunities for advancement, etc.), but our list focuses on relative compensation. Also, there's more to a city than how affordable it is. Many people would rather squeeze into a studio in Manhattan or San Francisco than live a more luxurious life in Dallas or Cincinnati. One could also save money by commuting to work and living in a less-expensive suburb. Our cost-of-living analysis assumes that the employee lives in the core city of the metro area where he works, which in the case of New York is Manhattan.
Barton Smith, a professor of economics at the University of Houston who summers in Colorado, towed his favorite 1987 Dodge Colt Vista station wagon back to Houston one year because it would have cost him more than twice as much to replace the engine in Colorado, he said.
Housing Is a Crucial Cost
"The real wages in Houston adjusted for cost-of-living differences are relatively high because cost of living is low," Smith said. "It's not just housing, but housing gets a lot of attention."
Many employees have become reluctant to relocate with the economy pointing toward recession and the housing market slumping. The need to stay put is especially strong in California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, where many homeowners can't unload their homes without taking a massive loss.
Some employers have beefed up relocation packages to make the move more feasible, in some cases covering the loss on a sale and helping spouses find jobs in the new location, said Margery Marshall, president of Vandover, a career management and relocation transition consultant in St. Louis.
"There's a general reluctance to move, not just because of the economy," Marshall said. "Today, there's also a reduced loyalty to the company. People say: 'Why move with the company when they don't care about us?'"
Staying Near Mom and Dad
But there are many other reasons for the reluctance. Baby boomers don't want to leave aging parents or pull teenagers out of school, and relocating is especially complicated for dual-income households, said Jane S. Howze, managing director of Alexander Group, a national executive search firm based in Houston with offices in New York, San Diego, and San Francisco.
Some employees who can move are finding that they can get a good deal on a house in markets that are crashing, especially in California or Nevada, she said. "But it gets kind of tricky if you can't get rid of one house in order to cash in on a downturn elsewhere," she said.
Companies have long offered temporary cost-of-living adjustments for employees who are transferred to more expensive cities. Employers do not, however, cut salaries for workers who are transferred to low-cost cities, so it's possible to improve your lifestyle hugely by simply getting a transfer (This phenomenon is magnified in developing countries where many expatriates, who lived modestly back home, can afford mansions, chauffeurs, and teams of servants).
Salaries Aren't City-Indexed
Kay Burd of Runzheimer International, a Rochester (Wis.) management consulting firm specializing in calculating cost-of-living and travel costs, said large companies like to pay what a job is worth rather than what it's worth in one specific city.
"What companies don't want to do -- if they're relocating people quite often -- is to inflate a salary because of cost of living," Burd said.
Al Blumenberg, manager of global relocation for St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch, said many employers do provide cost-of-living adjustments but aren't responsible for an employee's lifestyle choices, which can change the cost equation.
"What you as a young person view as a lifestyle might be totally different in New York than it would be in St. Louis," Blumenberg said. "Companies don't try to address lifestyle. I can't tell you whether to live in a brownstone in Greenwich Village or out in Connecticut. That's a personal choice."
Lifestyle Adjustment
Colleen Ide was moved by her company from St. Louis to Orlando this month, and she's getting used to her new lifestyle. It's too early to tell whether the cost-of-living adjustment she received will cover her much higher utilities and real estate taxes.
A salesperson for 14 years, she was able to pick up a two-year-old house in Orlando for 30% less than it had sold for two years earlier, all because of Florida's weak real estate market.
"My new house is about the same size," said Ide, who used to live in four-bedroom custom house on five acres outside St. Louis. "But the neighbors are right on top of me. and there's a whole list of development rules and regulations I'm not used to."
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