How NOT to Negotiate a Job Offer

How NOT to Negotiate a Job Offer CVs have been tailored and read; diaries have been coordinated and interviews aced; you’ve fallen into professional love. The hard part is over. So why, after all this, do people consistently screw up the job offer? Here are all the things that go wrong, and how to stop them: Money, money, money: It makes the world go round, and for some reason, totally normal people turn into covetous Gollum-like creatures when it comes to negotiating a salary. Employers: If it takes an extra thousand pounds to get the great candidate, just pay it. You’ve committed to them, you believe in their ability to increase your revenue and help your brand. Now put your money where your mouth is. Candidates: Be realistic. A £10,000 salary hike is not likely. Weigh up what they’re offering financially and what they’re offering in career prospects. You’ve also got to forget all the perks you got with your old employer: just because they paid for your travel doesn’t mean that your next boss has to. The  bigger picture: Our obsession with money can blind us to the bigger picture. Happiness, culture fit, career prospects and business potential are all factors that are as important as salary. Employers: It’s not the end of the world if they haven’t worked at a big brand or have 4 and a half years experience rather than 5. Intelligence, acumen and personality can’t be taught and are far more precious commodities than experience. Candidates: OK, so it might not have the fancy job title you want to impress your friends with. And you were really looking for an extra grand a year. But look at the potential! A job is more than a salary and you need to think about where it can lead you, what you can learn and who you can meet. The big sell: You know how great you are. But have you proven it? That goes for both candidates and employers. There are tons of great opportunities out there and top talent can pick and choose. Employers: You may love your company, but not everyone will. It’s a candidate-led market these days and simply offering someone a job isn’t enough anymore. People need to buy into you as a manager and into your company. They need to get the vision and how it will benefit them and their career. Don’t forget that you’re selling to the candidate as much as they’re selling to you. Candidates: If you haven’t sold yourself well you’re not going to get what you deserve (or worse, be relegated to second choice). Make sure you’ve responded to their feedback and proved your worth. Going  behind the back of the recruiter: It may feel easier to cut out the middleman, but it’s one of the worst things you can do. Yes, recruitment consultants get a bad rap, but it’s in their interests to reach a positive solution for both parties. Employers: Your recruiter knows the candidate’s current package, their salary expectations and what they really want from their new job. The probability is that the candidate has been more brutally honest to the recruiter than you, making your consultant better placed to talk money. They are also expert negotiators use them to your advantage. Candidates: Think you can get a little extra out of the employer by going direct? Think again. It just makes you look sneaky and unprofessional. Onboarding: This is one of the most overlooked areas of the hiring process. All the work that’s been put into crafting a package and selling the company can be undone during a candidate’s notice period. Employers: You’ve found your dream candidate at the right price. And then don’t speak to them again until their first day. Employers underestimate the importance of onboarding: give them a call to tell them how happy you are they’re joining; invite them for drinks after work. Otherwise you run the risk of them changing their mind or being tempted back by their current employer. Candidates: It’s a no brainer that if you’re invited to meet the team you go. But if you’re not asked don’t just sulk, onboard yourself! Ask your contact if you can pop over for a coffee one lunchtime. It will help you look forward to starting and ease those first day nerves. Conclusion: Job offers don’t need to be painful experiences. Greed, desperation and foolhardiness can jeopardise a perfect match. If you just lift your head out of the numbers and engage your critical faculties you will see that there are more important things than a travel allowance. Just as long as no one does anything stupid your new relationship can blossom into something beautiful.

Adding a Section of a Resume to Talk About Your Hobbies

Adding a Section of a Resume to Talk About Your HobbiesAdding a section of a resume that talks about the candidate's hobbies is definitely effective. It will draw attention to your interest in your job. However, it is not necessary for you to add this section. It should be a part of your resume if you are very serious about your career.There are many websites that offer you with good examples of sections of a resume. Some of them even have sample resumes for you to use and modify as you wish. The samples include such sections as the fact about you that you will share in this section. This section could consist of the fact that you are a person who loves animals, does sports or always took part in outdoor activities. In the same way, it could include information about your hobbies, which may include golf, horseback riding, baseball, or many other things.With the help of these samples, you will be able to write a good introduction that you will use to introduce the particular section o f a resume that talks about your hobbies. It is very important that you talk about these hobbies and not about your job. If you talk about your job when you have hobbies, then people will not be interested in your resume.If you really want to make sure that you will get the job that you want after a new job, then it is very important that you include this section in your resume. It is also one of the sections that are very easy to add to your resume.Don't waste time when you have made up your mind to add this section to your resume. You should write this section as soon as possible, so that it is included at the top of your resume. People will be amazed with your creativity, when they see the kind of resume that you have written for your new job.If you have blogs on your website, you can put these blog entries in the resume as well. This will show that you are really passionate about your hobby and that you are someone who really likes the work that you do.The sections that you choo se to include in your resume must be very clear and specific. You need to clearly state the duties that you have done and how you could do them better. You should also tell them about your hobbies, which are a good addition to the resume.Do not be afraid to share your interesting things that you did during your free time. People will really appreciate what you have written in your resume.

Reputation Is a Currency - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Reputation Is a Currency - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career In the gig economy your reputation precedes you. As automation begins to make some jobs more scarce others will crop up to serve the gig economy. Your ability to stand out and differentiate yourself from others may come down to one thing… Your reputation. Reputation is a Currency The fact is… Reputation has always been a currency. In a sense nothing has changed. But, on a global scale, everything has changed. What determines reputation? Who determines your reputation? How do you repair a battered reputation? Will there be reputation repair agencies in the future? Thinking About Reputation If someone were to ask you… What Three Words Sums Up Your Reputation? What do you think you’d hear? Would you be happy with what you heard? If not, this is  a good place to start on Reputation Management. Note: The idea for this came from Rachel Botsman’s TED talk. Some factors to consider when Thinking About Reputation: Should I be trusted? Do I behave well? The Reputation Economy In the not too distant future your reputation may be the thing that defines you. Perhaps,  a little like the Black Mirror episode “Nosedive” from Season 3,  but hopefully not so easily manipulated and contrived. There are pros and cons if we are to be defined solely by our reputation. The pros are, as they always have been, that we are known for what we do and what we deliver. That we are trusted and that we do behave well. Some of the challenges that impact a reputation economy include the fact that you may not be the proprietor of your reputation score. Think about the way social media represents and maintains our online social repetition. A similar set of tools will likely be tracking your reputation. Perhaps it will be some sub-set of the same tools we re using today. These pros and cons may play out in the form of your reputation dashboard. Ultimately reputation comes down to three things. And these three things are the basis for your reputation capital. It comes down to these three and how well you wield them, protect them, and promulgate them. Power Trust Influence Tomorrow, just as today, your reputation precedes you. When you manage your reputation wisely you will stand out in your career.

A Simple One Year Plan to Improve Your Career - Classy Career Girl

A Simple One Year Plan to Improve Your Career Sometimes the best type of change is a small, gradual change each and every day towards the career and life of your dreams. I am all about the baby steps and imperfect action which is why I wanted to design a simple one year plan to help you make small changes  over the course of a year. Many times I speak with women who arent ready to jump onboard a new career next month but have goals of doing so over the next year. Totally fine! As long as you dont forget what you are working towards and make progress slowly along the way. You dont have to do things super fast just because other people are. Gradual is totally fine. A Simple One Year Plan to Improve Your Career A One Year Plan to Improve Your Career January: Decide On Your Goals Focus on small goals.  Small goals are like little baby steps that are easy to take. Use these little steps  to break up a long term goal that may otherwise seem almost impossible to achieve. Break the elephant into small chunks to help you stay fired up and excited as you move towards your goal. It’s all about the baby steps and imperfect action daily.  Every 15 minute counts when you are focused on the RIGHT steps to achieve your goals! This month, decide on what goals you want to tackle this year and write them down. We recommend using our planning guide if you really want to get organized. February: Repeat Affirmations I have seen many women close to getting their careers unstuck BUT they have one thing holding them back, their mindset.  I have always been a huge fan of affirmations. I actually do these every morning for 5 minutes and have notecards that I have by my bed to read. I am way more confident and calm throughout the day when I do this along with meditating. Here are some affirmations I recommend starting with. This month practice doing your affirmations every single morning and night if you too if you can! March: Take Control of Your Calendar If you don’t have a  plan,  your calendar will control you.  One of the biggest mistakes is just doing whatever comes your  way instead of having exact times when you will do certain things in your week. Discipline and planning is required if you want to achieve your career goals. This is why I have a weekly review session where I review what I am doing each day of the next week and everything is scheduled into my calendar. This month, take control of your calendar and make it a calendar you love. April: Invest in Yourself Back in 2014, I made the best decision of my life and invested in myself. I hired a business coach.  I hoped that this would be helpful to push me to where I wanted my career to go, but I had no idea what was going to happen. It changed my life and business. I pushed past my fears and did things I never would have done by myself. She helped me with accountability and make decisions rationally going forward. She helped me think bigger than I ever would have myself. But I know, coaches can be expensive. Which is why we have designed courses with all the information that a career or business coach would provide, for a quarter of the price. Check out our course options today. May: Start a Mastermind Group Got some big goals? Great! Now, it’s time to get around the people that can support you and keep you accountable in reaching those goals. Because we all know, great accomplishments are never done alone, right?  You need people to push you, help you think of new ideas and, let’s be honest, be there for you when you have a tough day and nothing seems to be going your way. A mastermind group is a  small group of people that meets regularly, in person or virtually, that provides honest feedback and insights and leads.  Heres my instructions on how to start a mastermind group. Start one this month. June: Get Rid of Shoulds Other people don’t really know the  entire situation. They don’t know what you do everyday and what the best choice for you personally is. They think they do, but they don’t. You have to listen to your gut. Get alone. Buy a journal. Practice writing what you are thinking every single day.  You will start to write out what your gut is telling you.  Getting quiet and meditating helps you listen to your inner guide as well. This month focus on doing what is best for you. Start saying no more and doing what you want to do, instead of what you should do. July: Improve Your Morning Routine The biggest mistake I see made over and over is waking up and checking email first thing. I did this too when I was in corporate.   It really ruined my entire day especially when I worked with people on the east coast who had been sending work emails for hours! No one should have to wake up like that! So now my morning routine consists of: Journaling, meditating, affirmations, vision board, reading, praying, and exercising. This has completely changed my life. Even if you are not an entrepreneur like me, all these things I used to do when I was in corporate every morning. It involved waking up a bit earlier but it is SO much better to wake up and do something you are excited about instead of waking up and rushing out the door to go to a job you don’t like. So think about how you can revamp your morning routine tomorrow morning. August: Challenge Yourself to Network At the beginning of 2011, I was preparing to graduate from business school and trying to figure out the next step in my career. I knew that networking would be a key to success in the job search, but I also knew I wasâ€"and still amâ€"an introvert, and the prospect of meeting new people has never been easy for me. Still, I was determined to knock down my barriers to networking and meet the people who would help me reach my dreams and goals. So I decided to embark on a networking challenge: Every month, I would meet with four people I already knew but would like to get to know even better, as well as four completely new people. I called it the 44 Networking Challenge. And at the end of 2011, I had added 48 new people to my network and strengthened relationships with 48 friends, co-workers, and family members. Not to mention, a year of networking like crazy gave me a lot of valuable insights on what it takes to be a good networkerâ€"something I never thought I’d be able to claim. September: Visualize You Ideal Life First, imagine the big picture. Visualize your goal already achieved. How does it feel? What will accomplishing the goal bring to you? Pay attention to how you feel and then write down these triggers  so that you can  access them any time you need a little push to keep going. I also recommend making a vision board that represents what you want to CREATE in your life, not what you want to GET in your life. There are outside factors that you have no control over so make sure you remember that. Only you can be in charge of what you create. That is what you want to visualize and shoot for. October: Improve Your Elevator Pitch I try hard to follow the “You know how…” “Well, what I do is…” model of an introduction because it really helps me get away from the generic “I am a Consultant.” or “I am a Career Coach.” So  when I was just starting this blog, I had two jobs. I was a Corporate Consultant and a Career Coach. So that meant I had  two elevator pitches for my two jobs. Elevator Pitch for Job #1: You know how there are navy ships in the ocean that have communication systems onboard so they can communicate back to land?  Well, what I do is help coordinate the funding so that those  communication  systems get onboard the ship in time. Elevator Pitch for Job #2: You know how there are a lot of professional women stuck in jobs they hate?  Well, I help them get unstuck and out of jobs they hate and into jobs they love. Like it? Well, use my model! You know how.well what I do is The model is taken from the book, Book Yourself Solid. November: Ask For Help You can’t do this alone. If you are stuck, just ask. Get the fast track. I am here for you. I check in on our  private Facebook group daily (if not hourly sometimes, I do love you!). We will make sure you get your question answered and that you are headed on the right track. Know that people cant help you if you dont ask. There are people out there right now who are happy to help you, you just have to ask. December: Do What You Fear To get over these things, the very first thing I always do is hand it over to God and stop TRYING to be in control. And then I ask myself these three questions. What is the worst thing that can happen if I go after my goals? What is the best thing that can happen if I go after my goals? Is it worth it to go all in? So what is the worst that can happen if you go after your career goal? And then what is the best that can happen if you make the time in your day to control your calendar and really make it happen? And here is the pivotal question, Is it worth it to go all in? Alright, ready to start your one year plan? Keep us posted how it goes and what you accomplish! It is possible!

What to Expect From Resume Writing Services

What to Expect From Resume Writing ServicesAustralia resume writing services are a valuable resource for many candidates. They are full of experience and skilled professionals who know what the job market is like. When you hire an experienced resume writer, you will likely find your chances of finding work improve dramatically.Many resume writers have a number of years of experience. It is likely that they have received a number of offers for previous clients. This experience can be invaluable when working with an employment recruiter. A recruiter or employment agency may not have the skills necessary to write your resume, so having experience is a great way to increase your chances of getting hired.Resume writing services often offer the assistance of professional writers. In this case, you should interview several writers and choose the one who offers the most comprehensive service. You should also make sure that all of the writers provide samples of their work, which will give you a good idea of what the finished product looks like.It is important to use resume writing services that have created resumes with the same qualifications and experiences as yours. Even if you have written one or two resumes, it is common for a candidate to have more than one set of qualifications. Resume writers should be able to gather all of the information needed to create a custom-fit resume that presents you in the best possible light.Carefully read through the instructions that are provided to you by resume writing services before you begin your project. Some writers may ask you to create a cover letter, while others may require that you complete a resume first. Both of these requirements should be met, so that a short cover letter is included with your resume, which you can then use to contact your current employer. If you are submitting a resume, you should follow the instructions exactly as provided in the contract.When you are done with your resume, you should send it to the services as a pdf file. You will then be asked to attach your cover letter, which will include your contact information and educational background. A cover letter is something that many employers do not need to see until you start receiving call backs. It is important to have this initial contact with the organization that you are submitting your resume to.After your resume is received, it will be reviewed by the writer, who will recommend changes that can be made. A resume writer is usually paid to present your resume in a professional manner. They are trained to recognize how your resume may look to an employer and suggest changes to help you present your professional identity more effectively.You should consider hiring Australia resume writing services if you are a professional looking for work in the area you are interested in. The assistance of a professional writer can help you gain leverage when you are interviewing. As you work to find employment, you should have no trou ble obtaining it through Australia resume writing services. You will probably find the experience much more effective than trying to do the job yourself.

8 Ways to Ruin a Salary Negotiation - CareerMetis.com

8 Ways to Ruin a Salary Negotiation One of the most critical parts of finding a new job is salary negotiation. Of course, we’d all wish we can be given way beyond our expectations, but we wouldn’t want to look like we’re asking for too much.We sometimes try to ask them to just provide an offer of how much they think you’re worth, but this doesn’t always work as they sometimes offer a disappointing amount that you are shy to negotiate.Salary negotiation can also happen when you’re already employed and asking for a raise. It’s a dreaded thing to do but there are situations that really call for it. Not all are doing it correctly though.evalIf you are on the verge of salary negotiation, here are 8 ways how others ruined their salary negotiation and how you could avoid doing the same thing.1) Being unreasonable with your personal financial institutionevalThe very first thing you should know is that you should not lie about your financial status. A lot of applicants and employees alike don’t consider that the ir job is what’ll determine how you’ll live.When doing salary negotiation, think of all your basic expenses and aim to at least go a little above that so you would at least live comfortably.However, you must not become too personal when negotiating your salary. Don’t mention highly personal situations like illnesses, marriage, habits, vices, and the like. Your employer has no obligation for these so keep these out of the picture.2) Lacking confidence or having too much confidenceWhen negotiating your salary, don’t be too humble. Don’t think too little of yourself. Make your employer understand what you are truly worth. Have the confidence to say what you can offer to the company in exchange for a reasonable salary. But don’t be over-confident!Don’t ask for too much especially if you have no track record to prove your worth. Some expect a higher salary because they simply have work experience, but it still how your would-be employer will think of you.3) Basing on your c urrent salaryYour new salary should not be based on your current salary. It has been a practice of employers to ask for the current salary of the applicant and offer, if not the same, a wee bit higher than what they’re currently making. Make it a practice not to say your salary from your previous job. Tell them how much you are meaning to receive.evalIf they ask for your payslip, say that it’s private. It can only dampen your chances of scoring a better offer than others. Don’t go overboard especially if you think you deserve more. Offer what you can, and don’t let others know how much your previous salary was.4) Not taking advantage of your performance when asking for a raiseWhen asking for a raise, this should be rooted in a good performance, and some make the mistake of not doing that. Some outstanding employees are too shy to ask.Capitalize on your performance when asking for a raise. When you are consistently performing well, that’s the best time to ask for a raise. I t’s always best to raise this issue through an email or a letter that states your past achievements, and why you demand to be raised.eval5) Getting defensiveSome applicants get defensive â€" rude, even â€" when offered salaries that do not meet their expectations. You should never do this. Reason with respect and negotiate nicely.evalOf course, you shouldn’t appear like you’re willing to accept any offer, but make it a point that you are serious about negotiating but in a good way. There’s always a nice way to say anything in this world and we should aim to do just that even when it comes to negotiating salary.6) Telling you to deserve a raise when your actions prove otherwiseWhen asking for a raise, always make sure that it is back to performance. Earlier we mentioned of great employees who are too shy to ask for a well-deserved raise. There are also those who do not perform well but have the audacity to ask for a raise. Prove you are worth a raise and you have more chances of getting a raise.7) Not doing researchWhen doing a salary negotiation, some forget to check their market value. Compare your salary with those working for other companies with the same function. There are lots of sites and studies that provide the average salary that a specific job title earns.You can use this to compare your own. If you’re way below this, tell your employer. If you’re applying for a job, let them know that you are looking to meeting this amount. Again, don’t think too little of yourself.If you feel that you deserve to negotiate your salary, then it’s the proper time to do so. If you know what your responsibilities are, it’s the best time to start working on the possibility of arranging a meeting to negotiate your salary.8) Not being prepared to hear a NOWhen negotiating your salary, you should be prepared to hear no to what you’re asking for. Sometimes, it may be the best interest of your employer to give you what you want for a salary but there are financial restrictions on the side of the company.But don’t be discouraged and feel demotivated. Show them that you’re still going to do your best and make yourself a candidate for when your company can now offer a higher salary.Never let your competency waiver. It may be a NO the first time, but there are more chances as soon as you take office. Once your regularization period comes, it’s time to aim for that amount for your salary.Chances are, they may offer you halfway; it’s your call if you will accept that amount or not. That time, you might be the one saying NO, but if you can still negotiate for a better rate, then do so.Negotiate Your Salary in the Smart WayevalYou’ve seen how others commit a mistake in negotiating their starting salary or asking for a raise. We’ve also shared what you should do to avoid doing the same mistake. So negotiate smartly so you will get the salary you deserve. Always remember though, prove to them what you’re truly worth!

Are You a Strategic Thinker

Are You a Strategic Thinker Have you ever wondered exactly what a strategic thinker is or does? I see it a lot on resumes.   I hear it a lot when people use the elevator pitches, I hear MBA programs selling that they teach it, Ive seen it as an area for evaluation on performance reviews but you know whatI cant seem to get my brain around it.   It sounds good, but really, what does it look like? In an earlier post, Leading A Team of One youll find THINKING STRATEGICALLY and other skills/abilities of a leader listed and defined: Thinking Strategically Formulates strategies that are achievable, cost-effective, and address organizational goals by themselves or in coordination with other strategies. Formulates strategies that take organizations strengths and weaknesses into account. Researches, interprets, and reports on long-term customer/client trends for the purpose of formulating policy and strategy. Provides analysis of policy issues, develops program proposals, and develops plans that address long-term customer and stakeholder needs and concerns. This isnt really helping me, does it help you? These sound like problem solving skills to me, mixed with a bit of creativity.   But, you know what would sell this clearly to anyone?   Instead of using the words, strategic thinker, tell a story of a time you solved and implemented a solution!   You can view a template of how to write these stories here:   Accomplishments-1. In I just did my job there are some questions for your to brainstorm to get you thinking about your accomplishments (or times you solved problems). And, by the way, if you know of any simple, great definition of strategic thinking, please share it with us in a comment!

3 Self-Promotional Blog Posts That Dont Feel Gross

3 Self-Promotional Blog Posts That Dont Feel Gross Carnival and Circus Art by The Black Apple Thrilled thrilled thrilled (thrilled!) to have the one and only Sarah Von Bargen of the one and only  Yes and Yes  here today. Im a religious Yes Yes reader (and former sponsor) for over a year now, and I point to Sarahs blog all the time for (a) being kick-ass (b) totally being Authenticity Central (c) being wildy successful despite the fact she doesnt have a niche. Who better to give us  3 Self-Promotional Blog Posts That Dont Feel Gross? {And make sure you read her bio to get a special coaching discount just for being a When I Grow Up reader!} You’re a clever, engaged, self-starting type of person.   So you obviously have a blog for your small business or consulting practice.   And you use it to network with your peers, showcase your expertise, and share juicy behind-the-curtain secrets of your work. But. You don’t quite know how to actually promote yourself and your goods/services on your blog.   You’ve tried and it just comes out sounding like hard-sell malarky.   Which is totally not your jam. No worries!   Here are three ideas for blog posts that will promote you + your stuff without making you blush. 1. The ‘Why I Charge This Much’ Post (For: Everyone) Gosh, but we all love transparency.   And we love it even more when it comes from someone whose prices are a bit more than we’re used to paying.   But the general public doesn’t understand the scope of the work that goes into photographing a wedding/sewing a dress/creating a logo.   Share your work process, your timeframe, and most importantly all the benefits they reap from working with you. 2. The ‘How This Works’ Post (For: Coaches, therapists, consultants)   If someone hasn’t worked with a coach or consultant before, the entire process can be really intimidating and weird.   “Do we just talk on the phone?   What’s the deal with this group class?   How is this different than talking to my best friend?” Ask a favorite client if you can record either on video or audio one of your sessions.   Potential customers can see and hear how the sessions work and witness first hand exactly how awesome you are. 3.   The ‘These Are My Products In Action’ Post (For: Everyone) People want to know that if they’re giving your their hard earned money, they’re going to look amazing/find their dream job/have a perfectly organized closet.   Of course, you have a testimonials page that says all that, but photos and links speak louder than adjectives. If you’re a fashion label that specializes in easy-wear dresses, assemble a photo post of customers wearing your dresses while traveling.   If you’re a dating coach, you could craft a post filled with photos of happy couples you helped unite.   Designer?   You need a post of your five most recent logo designs.   A business consultant can write a post devoted to all her clients’ new offerings and business accomplishments.   And as always: add a call to action at the end of the post, linking to your services page.   But you already knew that, right? See?   That wasn’t too painful or embarrassing, was it?   Now get out there and start (classily, cleverly) self-promoting! Sarah Von Bargen blogs every damn day at Yes and Yes and helps small businesses + entrepreneurs make a name for themselves on the internet.   With her Solution Sessions, you get a 3-month blogging editorial plan, a list of bloggers to pitch and a pitch template, a basic social media plan, and crazy helpful suggestions to improve your website.   In one day.   Yes, really!   She’s offering When I Grow Up readers a $100 discount on the sessions.