Q. I want to get a raise but also realize that I’m lucky to have a job. Are there rules about negotiating a raise? A. In coaching people, I’ve discovered that they fall into two categories of salary negotiators. People in the first group want more money but haven’t earned it. Those in the second group want more money and are worth twice what they’re earning but are scared to ask. If you fall into the first group, your job is to realize you...
Question: While the economy is in the pits, my company is having a record year and is sitting on a mountain of cash. Yet, we employees are not getting a share of their fortune. Shouldn't we be rewarded for our exceptional effort in a tough market?
With official unemployment rates at over 9% and some analysts saying that when you add the under–employed and those who have given up looking for work, it’s over 15% of the workforce, many workers have begun to anticipate that dreaded feeling of being told that their services are no longer needed. Anyone who has experienced a termination knows it has severe emotional and physical consequences including depression and small to large persistent physical ailments.
Question: I work for a large distribution company troubleshooting lost or delayed shipments. When I started here 16-months ago, I was told that I would have a performance review and a raise after one year. To date, my boss hasn’t approached me about either. Frankly, I’m beginning to resent the delay, as I think I’m doing a good jo b and deserve the overdue increase.
Question: I'm a victim of a hostile corporate takeover. Until last week, I was the regional sales manager for a Fortune 500 company where I have worked since 2003. On Monday, the new management installed its own man (after saying there would be no personnel changes) and offered me either a job in sales or a severance package .
Question: I haven’t looked for a job for a long time. Consequently, I have no idea how my current compensation package compares to equivalent positions in the job market. How do I determine whether an offer is fair or not? Answer: When most job seekers hear the word compensation, they think money. But there’s a lot more to your compensation package than a monthly check. Benefits and perks typically comprise about 25–33% of your total package. And, the higher you go in an organization, the bigger role these components play. A VP’s salary can be a fraction of the value of his stock options.
In a job market where virtually every opening receives dozens - or hundreds - of applicants, it can be difficult to be the ONE who makes it to the finish line and receives an offer. In fact, it can be very difficult to even be selected for an interview .
Question: For the last four months I’ve been riding a job-search roller coaster of euphoric activity and disappointing dry spells. Suddenly, my hard work paid off and I received a great offer. Then, a dark-horse opportunity that galloped out of my life two months ago has trotted back in with an offer for another terrific position. Now what do I do? Answer: Congratulations on your job offers! All of your hard work has paid off. Now, you can use that same job search tenacity to determine which offer is best for you.