About Career Blog

Are You Willing To Work For Less?

Taking a cut in pay in order to remain employed may feel completely unfair, if not downright wrong. But in this nutty economy, you’d be wise to make every effort to have an income – any income. Sometimes, taking less money may be your only alternative. Think about it. Just how important is money to you at this stage in your career? Some might say money is everything. But is it really?

The critical question to ask yourself is which is more important to you right now, working or money? If you have a sure thing – a guaranteed position that is offering you less money than you were making – would you go for it?

As you’ve no doubt heard time and time again, it is easier to get a job when you have a job. If your bills are piling up and you’re beginning to avoid phone calls, you may want to think about taking a position, even if it pays less, in order to seize other job opportunities when they present themselves.

Given the number of people who are currently unemployed, you should expect to find serious competition for jobs at every level of management. As ridiculous as it sounds, even people working at drive-thrus have to worry about their jobs right now, especially if they continually offer poor service. These days, employees who are unwilling to take proper care of customers are finding themselves out of work. Why? Because in this economy, there are plenty of people who will take good care of customers AND work for less.

There’s no shame in accepting a job because you need the money. Lots of people these days are taking jobs that don’t really interest them simply because they need the income. So, if you’re in need of money, try to get a job doing something! After all, work is work. Consider your options, fill out those applications, and get to work! Good Luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 6/29/2009 09:58:00 AM
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Negotiating Your First Job Offer

Graduation time is quickly approaching and hopefully, you’ll soon be receiving your first “official” job offer. Have you given any thought to how you’ll respond when that big call comes? Will you accept whatever is offered on the spot like a recent graduate who’s broke and desperate for a job? Will you have a panic attack and be at a total loss for words? Or, will you play it cool and have a few smart questions in your back pocket?

If you don’t like the idea of negotiating a job offer because it feels like you’re bargaining for a better price at a garage sale, think again. You aren’t haggling over used dinnerware. Rather, you are working to get what you need in order to start your career (and your post-college life) in the right direction. And besides, it is expected that you will negotiate.

It is common to worry about finding the right balance between being courteous and asking for what you want. So give some thought to your priorities. Is your salary your main concern? Probably. But, are you also worried about your health and retirement savings benefits? How about special training opportunities or tuition reimbursement? What are your travel limitations, if any? Think about the things that are most important to you – your deal breakers – and focus only on them because if you negotiate every single aspect of an offer, you will appear overly demanding. Greed is NOT good.

So what are some of the most common negotiating items? Certainly, your salary comes to mind first. Remember the cardinal rule when dealing with money: He or she who names a number first loses. So, wait to be given a number, and if it is not what you want, don’t tear up…don’t explode…don’t say a word. Wait for your prospective employer to soak up the silence and read the consternation on your face. If you’re asked to name a number, give them a range or ask the employer for the typical range they offer employees with your educational background.

There are a host of other negotiating points to consider as well, such as your start date, annual bonuses, relocation assistance, stock options, car allowance, an early salary review, and hardware – such as a laptop or Blackberry. Whatever items for which you decide to negotiate, remember that when an employer makes a move to accommodate your terms, be ready to accept the offer. After all, you and your employer want this to be a win/win situation. If the process is long and painful, and you’re grudgingly given what you want, you’ll be at a real disadvantage beginning with your very first day on the job.

You should also give some thought to the intangibles that go with a job, like the work atmosphere and the prestige of the company. These are things you can’t negotiate for but are important to consider. Finally, remember that your first job is not a life sentence. However, the relationship you build with your employers, beginning with your first artful negotiation, can serve you well throughout your entire career.

Good Luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 3/20/2009 03:40:00 PM
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Interview Blunders

You’ve scouted the job landscape, found an employer that interests you, and sent out your resume. Days, weeks, months of anxious waiting follow. Finally, you get the much anticipated call. Elated, you mark the date and time of your interview on your calendar. Congratulations, you’re halfway there!

Don’t crack out the champagne just yet – this is merely the eye of the storm. Interviews are often the toughest leg of the journey to employment, and if you take it lightly, you’re likely to find yourself waiting for that follow-up call indefinitely. Intimidated? That’s understandable. Keep your cool, I’m here to help.

I have plenty of resources available that will provide guidance when you’re in the hot seat. You’re probably familiar with what’s expected of you as a prospective employee (if not, fire up that search engine). It’s what not to do when you’re feeling the pressure that is seldom touched upon in any real depth. This is where I come in! Read on to learn about the five biggest interview blunders and how to best avoid them.

Blunder #1: Dressing to Impress (the Homeless)
Whether you’re interviewing to manage databases for IBM or fold jeans for Abercrombie, you’ll want to come in dressed as sharply as possible. Unless a relaxed interview dress code is explicitly mentioned in company literature or correspondence, sensible business attire is a must. In the vast majority of cases, if you can’t see your reflection in your shoes on the big day, you’re doing something wrong.

Blunder #2: Talking Trash about Former Employers, Co-Workers, and Past Work Environments
If you think that you can score points with your hopeful-to-be employer by providing a compare and contrast of your loathsome ex-boss, think again. This tactic is always ill-advised. At best, you’ll come off as obnoxious and immature. At worst, you’ve just offended your interviewer’s friend/colleague/mother. If called upon to evaluate a previous employer’s performance or explain why you left your old job, keep things simple with a positive perspective. Your fellow employees weren’t “morons,” they were “individuals with whom (you) did not share the same goals.” Your ex-boss wasn’t a “miserable battle axe,” she was “someone whose managerial style was not always suited to (you).” Get the picture?

Blunder #3: Money Talk
There’s a time for salary negotiation, and the interview is not it. If possible, try to avoid discussing money, vacation time, bonuses, and the like altogether. Employers want someone who is interested in the position not just their paycheck. When it comes to numbers, patience is definitely a virtue. Remember, you can always turn down an inadequate offer after the fact.

Blunder #4: Sir, Are Your Pants Vibrating?
During an interview, few things scream indifference more than a ringing cell phone. Make sure your phone is off, not just in silent mode, prior to meeting your interviewer. Should your cell spring to life for any reason, apologize and silence it as quickly as possible. Other electronic distractions, such as PDAs, should not under any circumstances be acknowledged during the interview, unless they’re leaking battery acid or threatening to self-destruct in five seconds.

Blunder #5: Smelling Like a Bowling Alley
Some people smoke to alleviate tension. While it’s normal to be nervous before a big interview, don’t reach for those cowboy killers quite yet! Many people find the smell of tobacco smoke offensive, and your interviewer may just be one of them. Smoking is also a contentious issue that you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of when your job is on the line. If you must, indulge with a smoke after you’re out of the office.

Keep in mind that these are just guidelines. Research the position you’ve applied for thoroughly and see which of these tips you need to pay particular attention to. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and keep it classy. Good luck!

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Posted by Seymour Jobs on 11/07/2008 01:10:00 PM
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