Category: Professional Credentials

Seven Basic Salary Negotiation Tips


Money is the most sensitive issue in the whole hiring process. Discussing the compensation often causes anxiety on both employee and employer. So with that in mind we have provided in the following paragraphs, a few steps a job seeker can take to make the process of salary negotiating smoother and more efficient.

Do research – value skills

Research – Before the interview process begins, contact the professional organization that represents your field of career. As soon as they provide you with your salary information, you can now examine your monthly cash requirements. Remember that once your taxes are added to your paycheck, approximately 30% of your gross monthly salary is deducted.

Determine your skills – You should understand that different segments of the economy require a variety of skills depending on the industry setting. Once you have established what your skills are and what they are worth to the current employment market, you would know the limitations of your negotiation.

Salary range information is available at American Almanac of Jobs and Salaries, National Association of College and Employers, Career Center, and professionals in your related field.

In stating your salary range, avoid basing your desired salary on your current salary. Always tell the truth when it comes to your past salary. It is acceptable to extend a range to approximately $6,000 to show that you are within the company’s price range but interested in more compensation.

Sell yourself

Weigh the company’s compensation package – To determine your fair market value for a specific job, you should consider the economic, geographic, and industry factors of the job offer. Weigh the benefits of compensation and promotions, insurance, allowed time off and retirement settlements of the offer to ensure a fair proposed salary.

Sell yourself – If you know what you could offer the company requires a larger income, never say it directly. Once you sell yourself discreetly, the interviewer would understand that the proposed salary is not appropriate for your background.

Attitude counts

Have a positive attitude – In negotiating, never compete. Negotiation is basically a process which could benefit both parties. Understand your needs and those of the company.

The final offer – Be aware when the negotiation is done. Pushing further when a deal has been set could give a negative first impression on your part.

Show what you are made of – The interview is only the first step in having an enhanced compensation. Once you are hired, offer your skills to the company and prove your worth by doing quality work. You may even get a promotion for doing so.

Based from a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, four out of five employees are willing to negotiate compensation. Understanding these basic tips will allow you to enhance the terms of your new job.


A Little Extra Money for Teenagers


Teenagers’ jobs

Some teenagers believe that having the ability to get a job and earn money while they are still in school would be the next best thing to getting a real job and, based on this belief, many teenaged kids would really like to be able to find employment even if the job is part time.

With that in mind, we have put together a few tips and suggestions in the following paragraphs that teenagers should keep in mind when going approaching a potential employer to apply for a part-time job.

A resume

Teenagers must prepare a resume even when applying for part time work, because even if the individual does not have experience, the resume will show the employer that a little effort was made on the part of the applicant in producing something on paper.

A resume may contain highlights or strengths about the applicant which could make the him/her stand out over others who have applied for the same position, and in the end, get that job.

Appropriate attire

When meeting an employer, being dressed appropriately is important because it shows sincerity and seriousness of the person applying for that job. Such applicants must also make sure that finger-nails and hair are well groomed for the interview; and the outfit worn could be business casual.

A polo and khaki pants will be ideal for men and a polo and skirt for women will do well for the interview. This would mean that moderate shoes must be used to match the outfit. If a job applicant wears a lot of earrings, it is advisable to remove some of them in order to present a better image.

Getting a job is not easy and there will be a lot of times that an employer will say “no.” This is nothing personal but some employers will prefer someone who has a little experience. Even if an application is rejected, the person must not give up on getting that part time job and moving on to the next potential employer.

Persist with confidence

When a job seeker is already in front of the employer, a firm handshake is always a good start. Walking in and showing one’s sincerity in getting the job is another. There is only so much a job seeker can say at an interview, so it is best to practice on selling the interviewer what strengths of character and skills s/he already possesses that might enhance his/her chances of getting that job.

In the course of going from one employer to another the employer will not provide immediate answers as to whether or not the person is hired for the job. Other applicants will still be interviewed before employers are inclined to make their decisions. By keeping a list of the places where a job seeker went for interviews, they will be able to call and follow up on statuses of the applications.

Part time jobs are available in various places including while job seekers walk the neighborhood, check the school bulletin board or peruse local newspapers; and even browse the web for job postings. So teenagers who are seeking part-time employment while still in school need not be disappointed if they don’t get immediate results, because the idea is to keep trying until success is achieved.