This is an interesting story on 20/20 about whether or not salaries should be shared openly.
I’ll agree that there are times when a person is in no position to negotiate, but it has to be taken on a case by case basis for reasons like “I have to have some money now or I will not make the bills” or “I need to break into the industry so I’m willing to take a hit.” Even then, just because you attempt negotiate doesn’t automatically mean they take their job offer back!
Going in with a general attitude of “this is a part-time position so I can’t negotiate” or “this is a fast food position so I can’t negotiate” or “this is a commission based position so I can’t negotiate” only helps the employers as they win by default! Look at it this way if it helps, they put you through a rigorous hiring process and now its your turn to lead the way through the negotiation process.
Sometimes you run into bosses who express that because you attempted to negotiate you will be a trouble maker but that is rare. In fact, the company or boss’s behavior upon negotiation is very telling of the kind of company or boss they will be to work for. In this way, negotiation time is a great time to get important insights into boss personality and company culture before you accept the job.
Let’s be clear, employers want good employees and they do not want to have to go through the hiring process again for an already filled position any time soon if at all possible. If you navigate the interview process with good timing then they are offering you a job right when they have decided you have something to offer and they want you to be on their team. The perfect time to negotiate! They have extended an offer and are awaiting your response. You have the offer and it is unlikely they will revoke the offer as long as you negotiate respectfully. Indeed, most employers will have more respect for a person who looks out for themselves in an acceptable manner as this subtly implies the person will also be able to look out for the company’s best interests in a way that represents the company well.
I have met folks on my journey who live in a state of profound resistance and burnout day after day after day. I would not wish that on anyone BUT I have found that this type of extreme mental pain is part of an evolving process. Often these people are ignoring their passion, what they really want to do for their work for reasons they may not be able to verbalize yet.
Parties are over by now and most of us are back to everyday life. But before you get into the routine too much and before you decide for certain your goals for the year, take a second to think about 2008. Consider the challenges of the year and how you dealt with them and what you learned. What did you accomplish? I’m guessing if you take a few minutes to list them all out, you will be quite pleased with yourself. Feel that pride of accomplishment for a while before setting your course for this year.
One of the first things you find in situations where you are meeting new people is that they want to know about your work…what you do. They don’t want some long drawn out life history and it would obviously be rude and nonproductive to wave off their interest. Yet, you need to be able to effectively and naturally deliver the info they seek. Stuff like, what your work consists of now, what your experience (work &/or education) is, and maybe a bit about your career goals. They just need to be able to categorize you a bit. Getting categorized sounds rude but it is meant to be helpful. If an opportunity comes up that they want to share, they need to be able to quickly pull you out of their mental filing system. Many people love to make connections and help others this way especially if it is easy and they know just the right person to refer.
So, have you spent time practicing your one minute bio? The exercise feels kinda lame and unnatural but the important thing is that you give it some thought and practice putting your voice to your thoughts about your work — where you have been careerwise and where you are going.
There is an art to networking. It is quite difficult to remember to take a moment to understand who you are interacting with and how to best present yourself in various situations. But keep your mind on it and stay aware for opportunity, not just opportunity for you but opportunity to help others somehow — that is powerful networking. The person you help may not be the one to help you but you set wheels into motion by being generous with your knowledge, info, and positive energy.
Question: What is the quickest way to loose your mojo when it comes to career management?
Answer: Don’t have any savings.
We are all learning more each day and gathering new skills, insights, and info so a career decision will likely not be made once and for all. Situations change, technology changes, lifestyle preferences change too along with a person’s abilities, interests, skills, and values. So career choice is really an evolving process rather than deciding once and for all.
In job interviews of the past, potential employers saw only the papers handed to them and the impression that was made when a person entered the interview room combined with what others said about the interviewee beforehand. Now potential employers can and do get an even more accurate sense of personality, skills, and history based on an online presence before a person is invited to an interview.
Social networking websites strive to bring people of similar interests together in a “meeting place” online. I like to say that it is almost as good as attending a convention in person without the costs of travel or vacation time. Of course, meeting in person is ideal, but with the multimedia capabilities of today you can establish new, and even deepen existing relationships with a little online savvy. With social networking online it becomes easier to visualize your personal and/or professional networks. You can also connect people you know with other people you know quite easily using online introductions—a powerful networking strategy.
Social media is powerful and it is here to stay. There is potential for competitive advantage by having a presence online, but you have to manage your online identity in a way that positively serves you. By using social networking technology, you provide proof of your technology and communication skills (or lack thereof) depending upon how carefully you utilize the medium. And, by the way, the absence of an online presence is becoming a detriment to successful networking and job search too.
This has some strong language but the core message is really something. He is talking to web entrepreneurs but I think what he is saying is also applicable people who are working to develop their careers.
Listen to the passion in his voice…he has an important message to share. Find your passion and use it to serve others by developing your personal brand.
I’ve posted before about the resume’s downward spiral. Deb Dib tells it like it is so well today at the CareerHub blog. Check it out!