Pontiac Career Management

Archive for January, 2010

Almost half of the jobseekers and employees are embarrassed to be the first to raise the pay issue even though in reality they are unhappy with the salary they are offered or salary they are currently receiving. But, negotiating your salary is not that difficult as long as you tackle it professionally. Nowadays, salary negotiation is generally discussed during job interviews.

Ideally, the first person to raise this sensitive issue is the employer (interviewer). Before laying your cards on the table of what you are willing to accept, ask the employer how much he/she is willing to offer. But, if that is not the case, do your homework. Ask around for the salary range of employees with the same position and industry you are applying to. You should be familiar with how much employees carrying out similar roles and responsibilities are being paid. The culture and attitude of different employers vary, but at least you have an idea of the prevailing market rates so in the end you will never feel like you are the injured party.

It is also essential to find out as much information as you can about the company’s financial situation and capabilities. Of course, if you are applying in major companies, you can demand or ask for a higher salary. But, if you are thinking of applying to positions in charitable institutions or small and medium enterprises, then your chances of getting a higher compensation is not that great.

If asked about how much you are currently earning, politely avoid answering the question. I always believed I was paid fairly and I was happy with my compensation, but at this point in my career I’m looking for new challenges.? It is a good idea to be honest, but no need to limit yourself by telling the interviewee your existing one.

In many cases, if you will be asked what sort of salary you are looking for, you could tell your prospective employer that you need more detail of the role you are going to engage in the company. If pressed with time, it is fine to tell the interviewer that you need time to think about the ideal salary range, and then move the conversation along.

Most importantly, when you negotiate about the pay, negotiate for a win-win situation with your employer. A good negotiation is a discussion in which both parties understand and respect each other’s position and responsibilities. It ends when all parties feel that their concerns are heard and their needs have been addressed well.

It’s always tough to give advice on career success factors because there isn’t really a set of formula you can follow that can guarantee career success. A combination of various factors in the right context and with the right character will give your career a boost.

Know your market worth and at the appropriate times discuss precisely what you have to offer in very specific terms. Do you know how to do this? The most common failure amongst interview candidates is to believe that their track record “speaks for itself”. But, when you have got that certain piece of expert knowledge or bit of experience that others haven’t got, it can make all the difference. Take time to sort out your unique difference, then you can talk confidently.

Most career pros will train you on how to revise your resume, steps to preparing for an interview, and other basic skills you need to compete in the workplace. But not too many of them will teach you what it really takes to create a sustained brand in your career that will take you all the way, and allow you to still keep your personal values intact.

A large part of career success comes from having great negotiating skills. Not many people are comfortable with the idea of negotiating, especially when it comes to the salary package and perks for their job. However, it is essential that you trust yourself and recognize what you bring to the company and how you add value to them.

If you believe many of our cultural influences, we are supposed to covet them all above everything else. Money, power and status are the default definitions of career success. We often accept these kinds of messages without question because everywhere, in everyday life, we get so many messages about what constitutes success.

People who feel that their success is largely dependent on factors outside of their control are said to have an “external locus of control.” People who believe that, for the most part, they hold the keys to their own success are said to have an “internal locus of control.” Psychologists have actually complicated this concept a bit more than that, but for our purposes here, this definition is thorough enough.

Dependability means taking first person responsibility when you are given a job to do. You never blame someone for your work that is not done right. It means you take the initiative to see the job is done to the best of your ability. You take great pride in the work assigned to you.

Writing a resume can be a tedious task. There’s so much information to include and organize (employment history, skills, education, career highlights, awards, etc.) that the process can easily overwhelm you if you let it.

Luckily, there are now tons of resources available that make resume writing much easier. In particular, online resume builders and downloadable writing software can do more than samples and templates ever could in guiding you through the writing process. So if you’re looking for assistance in writing a resume, you may want to look into using an online or downloadable resume builder.

What is an Online Resume Builder?

An online resume builder is a tool that offers user-friendly, step-by-step guidance for writing resumes. Usually providing assistance through a wizard, you are asked questions about your career and background to help you create a resume specific to your field. The reason resume builders are so popular is that many help you sort out problems like determining whether to choose between a chronological, functional or hybrid style. Also, most offer spell check tools and other writing tips to help keep you on track.

Most effective online resume builders come with a price tag attached; you usually can expect to pay a one-time fee of anywhere from $10 to $15 to create one resume. And if you want to go back to edit existing resumes or create more, you may have to pay a monthly fee – but for that monthly fee you are likely to get extras like the ability to apply for existing jobs, post your resumes online, and even create cover letters and follow-up letters.

Resume Writing Software Packages

In addition to using online resume building services, you can download software packages that work similarly to help you write and edit your resume. Many of them, once downloaded, offer the same types of job-searching tools and help with resume distribution that the online resume builders offer.

In fact, there doesn’t seem to be a huge difference between the resume software package and the online resume builder except that one you download to your hard drive and the other you have to visit the website to work from. And most fall into the $20 to $50 price range, which is not bad for the service you’re receiving.

Don’t Forget the Essentials

While the resume builders are great at helping you organize and write clean, error-free resumes, you still want to remember resume-writing essentials like conducting research on the company, and using action words instead of duty-oriented phrases during the writing process. Though the resume building website or software can give you writing tips, it cannot do the extra work for you that will heighten your chances of getting called in for an interview, so keep this in mind throughout the writing process.

Using a resume builder or downloadable writing program is a quick and easy way to create a professional resume. So the next time you need to write yours – and you’re short on time and money – you might want to try one out. The added expertise and guidance may be just what you need to increase your chances of landing your next great job.