How Do You Negotiate a Pay Rise

How Do You Negotiate a Pay Rise If the thought of discussing your salary with your boss sends shivers down your spine, youre not alone. It can be up there with the most awkward / tense of all conversations. Still, it shouldnt deter you from addressing things if you feel like youre seriously being underpaid and undervalued. We called in our expert panel of career coaches to spill the beans on how best to broach the subject. Check out their top tip on negotiating a higher salary: Aimee Bateman Firstly, know what you want before you start. You don’t want to negotiate with yourself. Secondly, expect a ‘no’. Understand how to deal with rejection and position yourself in a way to take the negative answer professionally.  Have answers prepared beforehand to any objections you may face. If you’re prepared, you’re confident; so list out all your achievements. Also, if it is a ‘no’ then structure your argument in a way that creates a clear path to  progressing next  time. For instance, you could say ‘if I achieve X within 3 months, will it help show you how I am adding value?' @Aimee_Bateman  is the CEO founder of Careercake.com Rebecca Fraser Start with researching what the market is paying for existing roles. Then collect evidence on your successes and achievements, what you have delivered against your KPI’s and also what you have achieved beyond your role expectations. Use this evidence to analyse how much you have delivered and consider this against the market rate expectations for your role. The evidence and research will provide you a solid foundation to negotiate and will take the emotion out of such a discussion. However, remember that for many organisations budget negotiations are a set process so ensure you understand this process first. @RebeccaFraserCo is a career coach Jon Gregory Look elsewhere and then walk. Only ever negotiate from strength. NEVER accept counter-offers to stay unless they also include a promotion worth having. In the latter case, stay, even if the money is the same. If your current company doesnt have the brains to see your value, theyre not worth your time, since youre paying with your life. Apart from the money, a new job gives you a step up and strongly extends your experience, and therefore your future value. Looks like a win-win to me. @LetsFireWalk (aka Jon) is a job hunt coach at  Win-That-Job.com Farhan Raja Get an alternative job offer with a higher pay. Present it to your boss. State that you want to stay in the company however the additional money from the other company will have a big impact on your personal life. i.e. help pay the bills, take the family on holiday etc. If they really want to keep you, they’ll come back with a counter offer. If they don’t, you know that they see you as someone who is replaceable and it’s time to move on to a company that will value you more. @interviewology  (aka Farhan) is the founder, career communications coach at  jobinterviewology.com John Feldmann Demonstrate your value. An employer won’t give you a raise because you think you deserve one, or because you’ve worked at the company for years. They want to see how you’ve contributed to the bottom line. If you can provide concrete numbers, sales figures, dollar amounts and/or project results, your manager will see how invaluable your work is to the company and pay you accordingly. John Feldmann  is  writer, blogger and content developer for Insperity Recruiting Services James Nathan Be worth what you think you are. Many consultants believe they deserve a pay rise, but in reality we are only really worth what we deliver for our employers. If you genuinely believe you are worth more, then make sure you are right before you ask. Make yourself truly valuable and you will be rewarded. Turning up every day, and doing the bear minimum doesn’t make you worth anymore, no matter how long you have been with a business.   @JamesNathan  is the Managing Director at The James Nathan Experience Liz Sebag-Montefiore You have to justify your claim, and sell your skills and accomplishments. Think about what value youve added to the role already and where youve over-performed or taken on extra responsibilities and use that to justify your request. Get your timing right and be clear about your reasoning. Then present a business case outlining your achievements or successful projects using quantifiable data, show your track record and results that demonstrate your worth. Be clear with yourself on what you deserve and where you are prepared to settle and then prepare to negotiate. @LizSM10Eighty  is a career coach at 10Eighty Alison Cardy Do it! You never know what is available unless you ask. The conversation around asking for a raise is going to feel awkward and uncomfortable, but push through that momentary discomfort to get the potential reward of a raise. Also remember to ask for a bit more than you’re actually looking for, so that you have a better chance of getting what you really want. @CardyCareers  is a career coach and author of  Career Grease: How to Get Unstuck and Pivot Your Career Lysha Holmes Ask for an appraisal if there is not one booked already. Understand what the requirements are to achieve the pay rise and what the benchmarks arte to achieve that. Agree these objectives. Once these have been achieved, you are then in the best position to negotiate. Avoid using another job offer as a reason to get a higher pay! @LyshaHolmes is the owner of Qui Recruitment Ltd Caroline Stokes Before you go in to ‘battle’, do a quick 360 to understand what you’ve accomplished, how you’ve over delivered, what your areas of development are and this is the important bit in line with the company and various KPIs. You’ll do yourself a disservice if you cannot articulate your value and contribution well. However, even with the most eloquent and persuasive presentation of facts, be prepared for a ‘no’ if company performance and your performance means pay increases are on hold for the year. @theforwardco  (aka Caroline) is an executive headhunter coach at FORWARD

How to Avoid Candidates Dropping Out or Accepting Counter Offers

How to Avoid Candidates Dropping Out or Accepting Counter Offers A start-ups survival is directly tied to hiring better candidates than its competitors. As top talent is a highly perishable resource, this is to help anyone who has had that sinking feeling when a great candidate tells them they have changed their mind. Or even worse; gone to a competitor. To avoid losing candidates through the hiring process: Actively talk to prospective candidates throughout the year, even if you don’t have any vacancies. The very best talent doesn’t often have to job hunt, but if they do, it’s unlikely they are looking at exactly the same time you have a position to fill. Really understand the need that you want the ideal candidate to solve. Knowing this will avoid great candidates slipping by. Write a really clear job description. It will stop a candidate search going off course because the hiring manager has not specified clearly enough the skills needed for the position. Use your personal networks as much as possible. If you are finding candidates through sources that everyone else has access to (e.g. internet ads) you will always lose a high percentage. Be passionate about your business. If you aren’t enthusiastic, you can’t expect a stranger to the business to be. Keep things moving. After receiving CV’s arrange first interview dates quickly, give feedback to candidates quickly, arrange second interviews quickly after the first. As each day goes by more and more of the best candidates are accepting other offers and lost. Find out about any other opportunities a candidate is exploring, and where they are in other interview processes. They are often open to this as they know it can “increase their value” to your company, and you’ll know what you’re up against. Don’t make cheeky, low offers to candidates. You can test the water, but anything too low can be offensive and will put them off (especially if they have high expectations). Outsource portions of your hiring process. A Recruitment Process Outsourcing company or a Recruitment Agency can speed up your hiring process, by doing the candidate selection, screening, and on boarding process for you. They will cost money but save both time and administrative costs. To avoid your candidates getting counter offers: Find out at interview the real reasons driving and motivating a candidate to talk to you. You can remind them of these reasons throughout the process when you need to. If it’s monetary, it’s likely they will accept a counter offer. Try and find out what motivates head-hunted candidates to consider a move also. This can be tricky, but usually involves a change of direction, a wider leadership remit or a promotion. Increased salary shouldn’t be a big driver for them. Talk to a candidate early on about the possibility of them being counter offered, and how it might happen. If it does, the candidate will be able to say “they told me this could happen” and any flattery they feel will have been dented. Make paperwork turnaround a priority. Send the offer letter the same day as the verbal offer if possible. The time between verbal offer/acceptance and dispatch of paperwork is often a danger zone, as candidates can receive other offers, change their mind and secure counter offers. Find out what the candidates company normally does when people resign. You will then be able to better help them through any temptation they might have. Tell the candidate to call you straight after the resignation meeting. Hearing a supportive voice, after what will be an unpleasant meeting, from the place they see their future will help keep their head in the right place. Use share options as a final negotiation tool. Keep up communication especially post offer stage. Regular emails and calls to keep a candidate up to speed with new initiatives, to ask their advice, or just to say ‘hello’, help keep them focussed during the notice period. A lunch organised before the start date further reinforces your investment in them and their investment in their future. Ashleigh Macfarlane is Marketing Manager at BlueGlue, a specialised recruitment department for growing start-up and SME Tech, Digital and Media Businesses. For more of the above, follow us on Twitter @blueglueltd. Image credit: Shutterstock Related: Why Do Recruiters Ask Such Crazy Questions?

The language of a quarter-life crisis

The language of a quarter-life crisis Oh how us twentysomethings love labels. Like a “quarter-life crisis” for instance, we love to use this phrase to describe the uncertain and anxiety filled existence that is our twenties.   But how can we tell if we’re actually having one? How are we supposed to feel? For a while I thought a quarter-life crisis was just the grown up version of how we felt when we were thirteen and weren’t invited to certain parties and constantly compared bra sizes with our friends. Replace parties with job opportunities and bra sizes with success and boyfriends, and you got yourself all the ingredients for a good old fashion quarter-life crisis. I won’t lie. I don’t think I’m going through a crisis right now, but a few weeks ago my boyfriend used the term when describing his current life and career qualms to me, and it got me thinking. I was hearing a lot of “shoulds” from him: “Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing?” or “I should be further along in my career, shouldn’t I?”   I must admit I too have had those conversations with myself and I’m only 23. Frankly, I believe we start thinking this way the minute we step off stage at graduation.   I always thought it was normal until I heard someone say it out loud. “Should” is the language of a quarter-life crisis. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying every twentysomething who’s using this word is having a life crisis. I’m not even sure my boyfriend is having one. I just think it’s a word that could fuel it. If you’re comparing yourself to your friends or even your own ambition for that matter, it’s easy to get wrapped up in what you think you should be doing. If I had a quarter for every time I stalked LinkedIn to find out about a peer’s new job or spent more than a couple minutes trying to guess a friend’s salary, I would have enough change for a year of laundry. The reality is I’m not living their life. I’m living mine. And my guess is those people I’m comparing myself with are probably doing the exact same thing. So what does this all mean? It was weird for me to hear my boyfriend talk about how behind he felt, how he felt his accomplishments thus far didn’t matter cause he’s not were he thought he should be. I couldn’t believe how someone so talented in my eyes didn’t recognize their potential. I knew I was catching him in a rare sensitive guy moment and would be a fool to shout “are you crazy?!”, so instead I channeled my inner Dr. Meg Jay (author of The Defining Decade, if you haven’t read it, run to the bookstore) and told him: “the only person keeping tabs on you is you.” Most of our compulsive need to compare and “stay ahead of the pack” comes from this idea that other people are keeping track of us. The only person who really knows how happy you are or how successful you are, is you. So instead of thinking about what you should do, consider what you want. I now think about how all my boyfriend’s “should statements” can be redesigned into questions that actually spark some positive forward momentum. For example: This: “I should be at a job I love.” Becomes: “Am I happy doing what I’m doing? If not, how do I change it?” This:“I should be making x amount by now.” Becomes: “What salary is really realistic for me right now based on my experience, and what steps do I need to take to make what I want to make?” This: “I should be going on some type of adventure in my twenties, everyone else is doing it.” Becomes: “What exactly do I want to do? What does my adventure look like and how can I make it happen?” Suffice to say I’ve edited myself a lot the last few weeks trying to avoid the “should statements”. However changing your language is just the first step. If you can change the way you think, well now you’re definitely buying yourself some time on a life crisis.

Networking Tips for the Modern Career Gal

Networking Tips for the Modern Career Gal By, Ashley Crimaldi So weve all heard that networking can be the key to success. As savvy women, we understand that blindly submitting a job application or resume probably isnt the most effective way of landing a job or internship. In our technological age, we may have grown uncomfortable with face-to-face networking, and think its no longer necessary. I argue, that face to face networking is still extremely important to boosting your career goals. Last week I attended the Sue Shear 21st Century Leadership Academy, and had to attend many networking events. Here are some simple tips I learned at the Academy. Master Your Handshake A handshake can tell a lot about a persons character, yet a lot of women dont think about as being particularly important. Here are some simple tips. 1. Make sure your handshake is firm. A firm handshake shows you are confident, ambitious and professional. A weak handshake can indicate timidity. 2. Smile and make eye contact during a handshake. 3. Perform 2-4 upward and downward motions. One ‘shake is too short, and can come off as rushed or inconsiderate. However, shaking for too long is equally awkward. If someone is shaking your hand for too long, and its making you uncomfortable dont be afraid to take control and break it off (with a pleasant smile on your face). 4. Make sure your hands clean and dry. No one likes to shake hands with a wet noodle. Create a Business Card If you dont have business cards already, make some! Even if your not currently employed, having a business card with your contact information on it is helpful. Be ready to hand these out to people you meet! Also, dont be afraid to ask for others business cards. Chances are they will have one, and be willing to give it to you. Dont be afraid to approach someone new! A networking event is no place to be shy! Dont hesitate to approach new people, especially if someone is standing alone, or not engaged in another conversation. However, dont be afraid to LEAVE the conversation if its not one youre interested in, or if you dont think a potential connection can be made. In the time you wasted speaking to someone uninteresting, you could have met a great new contact! Remember: your time is valuable so dont waste it. To Drink, or Not to Drink? Many networking events have a cash bar, or even free alcoholic beverages. I was advised, NOT to drink at networking events. Why? Because everyone has different sensibilities, and you dont want to offend anyone. Attempt to project your best possible self. If youve had a few drinks, your judgment may be altered, and your clarity of speech and pronunciation may start to slip. Plus, its juggle your cards, your purse, appetizer plate and wine glass all at the same time. Similarly, if there are appetizers at the event, dont be preoccupied with stuffing your face. Focus on the end goal: making great new connections. NOT getting free drinks and appetizers. Network with the ‘Doers not with other networkers Try to attend networking functions with well-established attendees. Networking with other networkers often can result in nothing. Attempt to network will people who already have careers and connections, not with other people who are hoping to gain some. Remember dont be afraid to move on if the conversation doesnt suit you. Follow Up If you meet a really great person at a networking event, and you got their card remember to follow up. You can follow up with a handwritten note, or a personalized e-mail. This is a great way to thank someone for his/her time, and tell them you look forward to future conversation.

Why is Your Resume Not Getting Any Attention

Why is Your Resume Not Getting Any Attention Originally posted herePhoto Credit â€" VirginiaFrancoResumes.comIf you stick to the resume formatting that worked back in the 80s, 90s and heck, even through 2010 . . . you run the risk today of being overlooked or that critical key points will get missed altogether!The culprit?Technology.evalFor better or for worse, technology has transformed our lives in every other way â€" and resume reading is no exception.WHAT’S CHANGED?1. Online ReadingToday you can expect close to 100% of readers will review your resume for the first time on a screen. Chances are print reading won’t occur until later in the interview process.2. Small Screen ReadingAnother trend growing by leaps and bounds is the percentage of people comfortable reviewing documents on alternative devices like cell phones, tablets, etc.Depending on the industry, you can expect as many as 50% of your first-time readers and gatekeeper decision makers to view your resume on a small screen.ONLINE READING â€" MORE THAN MEETS THE EYEOnline reading is a lot harder on the eye than print reading, and small screen reading is tougher than large screen reading. Why?a) Chunked TextIn print our eyes can take in huge blocks of text without a problem. Not so easy on a screen. In fact, our eyes have a hard time digesting text that is chunked together.b) Eye MovementevalWhen it comes to reading in print, our eyes tend to move from left to right super smoothly. When the eye meets the screen, though, we tend to start left and bounce all over the place!DO CIRCA 2010 DOCUMENTS STAND A CHANCE?If your paragraphs are four plus lines longs, if you indent throughout, or if your bullets are mashed together â€" IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO GET ACROSS CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE READ!It’s just too hard on the eye. And when a manager is in a rush with only seconds to spare on your resume â€" anything that’s hard is not likely to get read. EVER.THE QUICK FIXThere’s no need for dismay. With these four quick fixes, your resume ca n overcome skim, online reading obstacles and make a great first impression!1) SpacingevalMake sure to have at least .6 Points between each bullet to ensure easy online, skimmability.2) Front-Loaded AchievementsSince you can count on the online eye starting left, make sure the most powerful part of your bullet gets included here.3) Left JustificationIndentions and outline formats work best for print. Justify your text to the left for easy small screen reading.4) 1 To 2-Lined BulletsKeep your bullets to two lines max. While longer will still be easy on a large screen, these bullets will double in size on a small screen and force the reader to see chunks of text.Online reading is here to stay. An understanding of how Hiring Managers read documents today is critical to formatting geared to look just as great online as it does in printâ€"and to help your resume’s chance of being read.

Monday Motivation

Monday Motivation The opposite of being motivated is being stuck!   Are you stuck in patterns of thinking that arent helping you?   Sometimes this is difficult to recognize. As I ask you to consider your limiting beliefs, it comes from knowing that we CAN change if we want to. Have you ever said any of these things? There arent any jobs for someone my age I dont know what I want to do There arent any good jobs being advertised I need a stable job and paycheck LinkedIn is a waste of time for someone like me If youve said any of these things (or all of them), it is a pretty sure sign that you are stuck.   Rather than preach to you, lets reprogram your thinking. We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails. Unknown How can you adjust your sails?   How can you create an opportunity for yourself?   In other words, what do you really enjoy doing? The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. Voltaire What is going your way? What have you been able to do and who have you been able to meet or help because of your situation? Do you want to know who you are? Dont ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you. Thomas Jefferson Instead of sitting around trying to discover yourself- do something. Leave no stone unturned. Euripides There are endless possibilities.   Your challenge is to find only ONE.

Grown-Up Gigs Plaxico the Dog

Grown-Up Gigs Plaxico the Dog Remember the guy who rents his torso makes a damn good living from it, too? Not only has that company expanded from 1 T-shirt wearer to 4 T-shirt wearers, but now the dogs getting in on it. Yes, the dog. Image from Plaxico the dogs website If you want to rent Plaxicos adorable torso, arms legs to convey your message, itll set ya back $50/day in 2011. 83 days have been sold so far. 83! Do the math its over $4K already, the year hasnt started yet, and theres still 3/4th of the year left. Soyeah. The moral of the story: if anyone (anyone!) tells you that you cant make a living doing X or that your business idea is too damn crazy, point em to Plaxico and walk away calmly. You have made your point.