Posts Tagged ‘salary’
The Secrets of Starting Business Successfully
Starting Business Secrets will help you to start your own business successfully.
The American Dream is, and always will be, to come up with an idea, start a business and become rich from your own efforts. Based upon this motivation, thousands of businesses fail each year, due primarily to not being familiar with the basics involved in running a business.
This report will enlighten you, and give you a number of suggestions you can use to better guarantee your chances for success. This report is written with the warning that any and every business venture contains certain inherent risks, and any number of alternatives. We do not espouse that any one way is the right way or that our suggestions are the only way. On the contrary, we advise that before investing any money in a business venture, you seek counselling and help from a qualified accountant and/or attorney.
Just about the first thing you should consider before deciding to start or purchase a business is the legal form you’ll be operating under. There are basically four choices: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited partnership, and/or corporation.
Each has a number of advantages and disadvantages. We’ll try to enumerate some of them for you.
As much as anything else, for many people starting a business is a form of ego-gratification, and they form a corporation for some sort of prestige gain – just to say, “I own a corporation.”
With just a little bit of observation, you’ll find that one of the major causes of business failures is due to the founder wasting start-up capital on frills, such as an impressive store- front office, expensive furnishings, and corporate legal costs.
One of the basic traits you must develop it you’re going to be successful in business, is a tight hold on your expenditures. In fact, a good rule of thumb is that anything that does not make money for yo or protect your investment, should not be purchased at this time. Very definitely, this applies to the expense of setting up your own corporation.
Unless you have a partnership and start your business as such, the only real advantage to forming a corporation would appear to be that a corporate structure will semi-protect the property you personally own.
As an example, you own a home and car. You form a corporation to protect these possessions from business losses. Yet, if you can be found guilty of misusing corporate funds, your business creditors can pierce the corporate shield and come after your possessions.
Basically, if you invest everything you have in your business, as most newcomers do, you don’t usually need a corporation because you have nothing to protect. Your household possessions, personal belongings, generally your car, and even a portion of the equity in your home is protected by the homestead provision of the Federal Bankruptcy Act, and cannot be taken away from you.
As a sole proprietor or partner of a business you’ll be paying taxes on your overall earnings, much the same as if you were holding down a salaried or hourly paid job. Whether you do or don’t take out money as a salary will have no bearing on the earnings of your business and tax return.
The often advertised advantage of incorporating, that you can manipulate your salary in order to save on tax dollars, is real because of corporation laws. However, the IRS frowns on this practice. When your business is successful and making a lot of money, definitely check with your accountant on the advantages of incorporating.
As a corporation, you’ll be subject to a number of other drawbacks as well: generally higher state taxes, stricter laws concerning the operation of your business, more elaborate accounting procedures, and legal papers that are required just about every time you make a major move or sign almost any contract. Thus, your legal and accounting fees will be much higher as a corporation than will those required for a sole proprietorship type of business.
As a sole proprietor or partnership, you’ll find many areas require the registration of your business name. The cost however, is minimal, ranging from $5 to $100. About the best way to find out what laws apply in your area, is to call your bank and ask if they need a fictitious name registration card or certificate in order for you to open a business account.
Selecting a name for your business is quite important to you and particularly relative to advertising. Your business name should describe the product or services you offer. Fancy names such as, Linda’s Clipping Service will lose potential “walk-in and passing” customers to the beauty shop across the street that calls itself, Patti’s Beauty Salon or Jane’s Hair Styling Shop.
The advantage of using your full name in the title of your business, such as Johnny Jones’ Meat Lockers, has the advantage of making credit somewhat easier to come by – provided you pay your bills on time – but it also includes the disadvantage of confining your services to a local or at most, a regional area.
Should you buy, lease, or rent a space for your business? think twice before you make any decision along these lines. Most businesses tend to grow quickly or they never get off the ground.
There are a few exceptions, but only a very few, that tend to grow at a modified rate.
So, buying a piece of property and setting up your business on or within that property, obligates you to ownership regardless of what happens to your business.
Leases are almost always very strong contracts written by attorneys to the advantage of the property-owner. When you sign an agreement to pay someone for the use of their space over any length of time, you’re “nailed in” to paying for that space regardless of what happens to your business.
In the beginning, it’s wise to either get the shortest-term lease possible, or arrange to rent with an option to lease at a later date. This does not apply to a retail business, unless your particular business happens to be an untried one.
Definitely, you should open a business bank account. In selecting a bank for your business, scout around and look for one that can, and will help you. Determine what your banking needs will be, and then via telephone, interview the managers of the banks in your area. The important convenient bank to your business location.
A point to remember: the closer you can make the relationship between you and the bank manager, the better your chances are going to be for approval on loans and/or special favors you may need at a later date.
Try to become acquainted with as many of the bank employees as possible. The better you know them, the more courtesies they’ll be extending especially to you in the course of your association.
Just as a doctor is a specialist in his field, and you go to him for medical problems, your banker is a specialist in his field and you should go to him for your money problems. In business, you’ll have to learn that everyone is an expert in his own line of work, and in your associations with other business people, refrain from acting like a “sharpie” and/or pretending that you know exactly how everything works in someone else’s specialty.
You’ll find that very often, different banks specialize in different types of businesses. As an example, you’re sure to find banks that specialize in real estate transactions, export- import businesses, and even manufacturing operations only.
What I’m saying here is that if you’re planning to sella fairly expensive item, your customers will probably need and/or want financing. It will behoove you to select a bank familiar with your type of product that will afford your customers, through you, contract financing.
Some of the questions you should ask of your banker include the following:
Is it necessary to maintain a certain balance in your account before the bank will approve a loan for you? What qualifications must you have in order to obtain a line of credit with the bank?
Does the bank limit the number of loans, or types of loans it will approve for small businesses?
What is the bank’s policy regarding the size of a check you might deposit that requires holding for collection?
And what about checks less than that amount – will they be immediately credited to your account?
In almost all types of businesses, it will be to your benefit to set up with your bank, a method of handling VISA, Master Charge, and regional credit cards. The important thing here is to ultimately set up your account in the bank that will service all of these credit transactions for you – one stop for all your banking needs. In most instances, you’ll find that having the capability to fill orders/make sales via credit card transactions, will increase your volume of sales appreciatively.
Once you’ve made the decision as to which bank is going to handle your account, you’ll need your Social Security Number or your Federal Employer’s Identification Number, your driver’s license, the fictitious name certificate, and if you’re requesting a VISA or Master Charge franchise, you’ll also need a financial statement.
For corporations, you’ll also need a corporate resolution approving of the opening of your business account.
There are different policies exercised in just about every state regarding installation/hook-up charges by the telephone and utility companies. Some require a deposit, and some don’t.
You’ll find that a great number of city business license departments are there solely for the purpose of collecting another tax. Depending on the type of business you’re asking a license for, the building and zoning people may inspect your premises for soundness of structure and safety. Generally, you won’t encounter any difficulties – you simply pay your fee to operate your business in that city, and the clerk types your name onto a city license certificate.
Relative to sales tax permits and licenses, each state’s rules and regulations very widely. The best thing to do is call your state offices and ask for information concerning registry and collection procedures. Many states require an advance deposit or bond, and you’ll find that some wholesalers or manufacturers will not sell to you at wholesale prices until you can show them your sales tax permit or number.
Should your business entail selling your products or services across state lines, in another state, you’re not required to collect taxes except in those where you have offices or stores.
You may find also that your particular business requires the collection of Federal Excise Taxes. For information along these lines, check in with your local office of the Internal Revenue Service.
Some states also require certain businesses to hold state licenses, such as those required in many states for TV Repairmen.
These are known as “occupational permits” and are most often required of barbers, hair stylists, real estate people and a number of other consumer oriented businesses. If you have any doubts, check with your state offices for a list of those occupations that require licensing.
Any business doing business in any type of interstate commerce is subject to federal regulations, usually through the Federal Trade Commission. This means that any business that shops, sells or advertises in more than one state is subject to such regulation, and this includes even the smallest of mail order operations.
Normally, very few business people ever have and contact with the federal regulatory agencies. The only exceptions being when there is a question of your operating your business unethically or illegally.
Any business that sells or distributes food in any manner almost always requires a county health department permit. If your business falls into this category, simply call the county health department and invite them out to your place of business for an inspection. The fees generally range from about $25, depending on the size of your business when they first inspect it for permit approval.
There are also a number of businesses that require inspection by a fire marshall, and fire department approval. Generally, these are those that handle flammable materials or attract large numbers of people, such as a theater. Overall, the local fire department has to be allowed to inspect your premises whenever they desire to do so.
You may also run into a requirement for an air and/or water pollution control permit. These specifically apply to any business that burns anything, discharges anything into the sewers or waterways, or use any gas-producing product, such as a paint sprayer.
Without a doubt, you’ll need to check on local regulations relating to advertising display signs. Each city or township makes its own rules and then enforces those rules according to its own thinking -check before you contract to have a sign made for your business.
The design and placement of your sign is very important to your business – specifically to retail establishments – but let me remind you that your business sign is usually the first thing a potential customer sees and as such, it should catch his eye and leave an impression that lasts. It would be a good idea to ride around your town and take a look at the signs that catch your eye, and try to determine the impression of the business that sign leaves on you. This is a basic learning formula for determining the design, size and placement of your business sign.
Some of the other things to consider before opening for business – If you intend to employ one or more employees, you’ll be required to deduct Federal Income Taxes, and Social Security payments from their checks. This will involve your filing for a Federal Tax Number and necessitates contact with your local IRS Office.
Most states have “unemployment taxes” which will have to be deducted from the paychecks of any employees you hire. And there are a number of states that have income taxes – disability insurance – and any number of other taxes. Again, the best thing to do is check with your local office of the IRS. And above all else, don’t forget to ask for the rules of the minimum wage law, and comply.
When your business grows to the point of needing additional help, don’t be afraid to look for and hire the help you need. when you’re ready to hire someone, simply run an ad in your local paper and/or register your needs with the local office of your state’s employment service. Businesses either grow or die, and those that grow eventually need more people in order to continue growing.
When that time comes, hire the additional people you need, and your business will continue growing. If you don’t, for whatever reason, you’ll find yourself married to your business and your business growth stymied.
Regardless of how small your business is when you begin, never walk in with the thought in mind that it’s something to keep you busy. Anyone with an attitude of that kind is a fool. You begin and make a business successful in order to realize financial freedom. Establish your business. Put it on its feet, and then hire other people to do the work for you. And those businesses that require an operations manager, or someone to run a phase of the business you’re too busy to handle, hire the person needed or the business will surely suffer.
To protect the investment of your business, you need business insurance. If you’ve never had any experience with business insurance, simply look under the heading of “business insurance” in your phone directory. Ask for bids from several different companies or agents…Primarily, you should have a policy that gives you general liability, fire, workmen’s compensation, business interruption, and vehicle coverage. You amy also want coverage against possible losses related to burglary, robbery, Life & Accident, Key Man, and Fidelity Bonds.
As the sole proprietor of a business, you won’t be paid as an employee, so there will be no income tax deducted from whatever you withdraw from the company’s earnings. What you’ll have to do is a gain check with the IRS Office for a Tax Guide For Small Businesses Handbook, and probably end up filing an estimated tax return on a quarterly basis.
The minute you open your doors for business, you’ll have to spend some time engaged in the work of bookkeeping. Exactly how, and using what forms, you keep books, should be on the recommendations of a good tax counselor…The same holds true for your overall business and/or payroll accounting system. Look for an experienced CPA that knows the accounting problems to your particular kind of business, and solicit his advise/counseling.
If your business is going to involve the possible purchase or lease of operating equipment, again seek the help of your tax counselor for the most advantageous method of obtaining the needed equipment.
Basically, arranging for your suppliers to give you materials on credit will depend upon your honesty and personal financial statement. The best way is usually a personal visit to the person with the power to approve or disapprove of credit at the company where you want to set up a credit account. Show him your financial statement, and explain your prospects for success. Then assure him that you’ve always honored all of your obligations, and that if ever there’s a question or problem, you’d like for him to call you at home. And of course, give him your home phone number.
We won’t go into the exigencies of advertising your products, services or business here, but there is something along these lines you should always keep in mind. The best kind of advertising your business can receive is that you don’t really pay for – publicity.
When something unusual happens to you, your business, or your employees – that’s news, so be sure to tell the news media in your area about it.
The most important ingredient of your eventual success will be the soundness of the planning you did before you started your business. Any number of bad things can really throw your business into a tailspin, but it you’ve done your homework well – really set up a detailed business plan before starting – your losses or setbacks will be minimal. Success takes planning, and within this report, you’ve got a basic checklist…The rest is up to you…Good luck, and may your life overflow with success in all that you undertake from this moment forward.
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Julia Tang publishes Smart Online Business Tips, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you! To find out the best online business opportunities,
and to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
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12 Steps to Targeting Success in Your Career or Job Search
Is your job search sagging? Are you still looking for that ideal next job? Or are you about to begin looking for new work and are not sure of the best way to go about it? What you need is a way to evaluate your job search strategies to see whether or not they are working effectively for you.
Ready to get started? Here are 12 building blocks to a successful job search and the goals that will help you get to where you really want to be in the world of work:
1.) Making networking phone calls: Effective job searches begin and end with networking. Start by making a list of everyone you know: family members, extended family, friends, present & past co-workers, faith community colleagues, barber/hairdresser, dog groomer, neighbors. Even list the clerks who work in your favorite grocery or video store, bank tellers and gas station attendants. Everyone! Call or talk to each person on your list (most people can easily produce a list of 50-100 people). Target: Make 3-5 new networking phone calls weekly.
2.) Contacting employers before openings occur: The process of applying for a job before an opening is known to be present is referred to as “accessing the hidden job market” – and doing so is critical for job search success. By using a great on-line tool such as Reference USA to access employer information, you can mail targeted resumes and cover letters to companies that match your size, focus and sales criteria. Target: Mail 5-10 targeted but unsolicited resumes with cover letters weekly.
3.) Responding to online postings: There are literally hundreds of sites like Monster.com, and you can pour hours and hours into searching them for job opportunities. Remember to search on multiple titles or portions of titles and to post your resume at every opportunity. Target: respond to 3-5 postings weekly.
4.) Responding to newspaper help wanted ads: This is the favorite job seeking strategy of searchers everywhere, but guess what? Out of every 100 resumes an employer receives, they will throw away 92-95! Target: Submit only 3-5 resumes and cover letters weekly in response to help wanted ads.
5.) Identifying new employers to contact: Find employers the old-fashioned way: in phone books, through networking leads, through word-of-mouth, in reference sources and online databases (such as Reference USA, mentioned above), through articles in local papers and through the Yellow Pages of your local phone directory. Target: Identify and research 5 new employers weekly and use them to fill your quota for #2, above.
6.) Contacting recruiters and employment agencies: It’s not appropriate for every job seeker to contact recruiters and employment agencies, but if this strategy makes sense for you, then by all means make use of them. Target: Contact 1 new recruiter or agency weekly.
7.) Making follow-up phone calls & sending thank you letters/cards: Sending out resumes and cover letters is only the first step in the process of developing relationships with employers. About 1 ½ to 2 weeks afterward, call them to verify they received your materials and to inquire about next steps. Always follow-up on interviews and make is a habit to send thank you letters or cards afterward as well. Target: Make 5-10 follow-up phone calls weekly and send a thank you letter or card for every job interview or informational interview you participate in each week.
8.) Managing your references: How do you “manage” references? Supply each one with a copy of each version of your resume. Keep them up-to-date on what is happening in your job search. You don’t need to call them weekly, but you should generate news every few weeks at least. Give your references a copy of all the references you’re using so each one can refer an employer on to someone else on the list if asked. Prepare your references by giving them background information, adjectives and descriptive words that “sell” your best stuff. Target: Contact each reference at least once per month during your active job search and contact everyone when that perfect opportunity comes along to prepare them.
9.) Practicing interview answers: Don’t just practice the night before an interview. Target: Practice your interview answers and questions at least 1 time per week.
10.) Practicing the salary negotiations process: Ditto with salary negotiations. Target: Practice your strategies and responses at least 1-2 times per week.
11.) Staying socially connected with employed others: Job searching is extremely lonely, so make sure you stay socially involved with family and friends. Target: Get out of the house at least 2 times weekly to see friends or extended family.
12.) Managing your attitude and energy: This is the most important building block of all, because without a positive attitude and high, focused energy, you won’t achieve the result you want. Targets: Do at least 1 fun and creative thing outside your house weekly.
Why not take Fridays off (if you’re unemployed) and enjoy! Absolutely, categorically don’t job search on weekends. Exercise, take care of your body, and journal. Feed your mind good books and your spirit hope.
Strengthen or do more of what works. Adapt, replace or fix what does not work. Reevaluate your search progress every 30 days for as long as it takes for you to find the work you really want. And, if your job search results do not markedly improve within 45 days, see a career search professional for individualized assistance.
Cheryl Lynch Simpson is a Spiritual Director and Solutions Coach who helps women discover and create the life they’ve always wanted to live. Cheryl is the author of over 30 print/Internet articles and the founder of Coaching Solutions For Women, a coaching website that produces and showcases career, business, and life solutions that improve the life balance of today’s busy women. For a complimentary copy of her latest e-book, Ten-Minute Stress Zappers for Women Service Business Owners, visit http://www.coachingsolutionsforwomen.com.
Creating Your Own Luck
Losing my job in the last recession of the last century, I discovered first hand the power of creating your own luck. A week later, I decided to locate an interim position while I looked for a “real” one. Accepting a temporary position at minimum wage in an industry I knew little about, I decided the way to enjoy the position was to learn everything I could and contribution all that I could. I poured over manuals in my down time, developed processes to expedite the work, trained new employees, volunteered for additional assignments, and did anything that needed to be done. Four weeks into a ten week job, I was unexpectedly offered my first management position.
If I had listened to my friends cautioning me that taking a minimum wage position was career suicide, if I had been concerned about accepting a job “beneath” my education or experience level, or if I had only done what was expected, I would have missed an opportunity that led to five promotions in the next seven years.
It has been my experience over the years, while climbing the corporate ladder to Vice President of a multi-billion dollar company, that opportunity is everywhere and anywhere. Often, it’s in unexpected places for those who differentiate themselves in the workplace. People who do what is expected of them, do it very well, “and then some” have opportunities arise that others never do. And people who set their ego aside, contributing everything they can to the task at hand, often create their own luck. That’s because initiative is a powerful commodity in the workplace.
People offering to do extra work only if they get paid for it, or take on extra responsibility only if their salary is increased first, have it backwards in my book. My advice: do the work, do it well, and then do it even better. Higher pay, greater responsibilities and increased opportunities follow individuals who are contributors. Anytime I looked to hire people, offer permanent positions to temporary employees or interns, start up new departments or businesses, or promote individuals, I looked for people doing their job well …”and then some.”
(c) 2004 Nan S. Russell. All rights reserved.
Sign up to receive Nan’s free biweekly eColumn at www.winningatworking.com. Nan Russell has spent over twenty years in management, most recently with QVC as a Vice President. She has held leadership positions in Human Resource Development, Communication, Marketing and line Management. Nan has a B.A. from Stanford University and M.A. from the University of Michigan. Currently working on her first book, Winning at Working: 10 Lessons Shared, Nan is a writer, columnist, small business owner, and on-line instructor. Contact Nan at info@nanrussell.com.
How to Success On The Job from Job Hunting to Keep Your Job and Get Most of Out of It
INTRODUCTION
This article will prepare you for the difficult task of job hunting. Not only will it show you how to get a job but it will show you how to keep your job and get the most out of it. You will be able to use the most modern psychological measures in dealing with other people so that you are always ahead. Follow the instruction in this book and see yourself go to the top.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR JOB HUNTING
Know What You Want
You should be perfectly clear of what you want. Don’t give yourself vague objectives such as “any job that pays.” Make your objectives and goals very definite and specific. Your first step to getting a successful job is knowing precisely what you want. Ask yourself this question and write down the answer on a sheet of paper.
Expect The Best But Prepare For Adversity
Always expect success, but prepare for the bad things in life. Adversity happens to the best of us. Our challenge is to conquer adversity. Adversity is a great teacher; learn its lessons well. Remember, if you haven’t been through bad times, you are far from success.
Be Positive
When you create a “win,win, win” attitude, you will start to win. When you start to think positively, everything around you will be positive. Whatever you expect to take place will take place. If you want things to be good, they will be good. You are the master of your destiny. Destiny DOES NOT rule you.
Be Confident
You must have confidence in yourself. If you are not confident in yourself, people will not be confident in you. People admire and respect confident people. You will even admire and respect yourself more. If you have doubts about yourself, other people will have doubts about you, also.
Action Is The Key
Do whatever you have to do to get where you want to. Commit yourself to action. Don’t put off your plans, start today. The only way you will achieve success is if you act now. You must act now with full force if you want to achieve your dreams. Plan to act out your ideas today.
Visualize Your New Job
Look ahead and visualize the job you want. Tell yourself how much you want the job and what you are willing to do for it. Your dreams will become your reality if you let them. Know what your dreams are. Visualize success in your mind so well that it is almost real.
Be Persistent
Be persistent to do better. Anything worth doing is worth doing again and again and again. Don’t let rejection stop you from reaching your goals. Keep trying and you will succeed. Nobody makes it the first time. Try over and over again and don’t stop until you get what you want. There is no going back.
It’s Going To Cost You
Nobody gets a free ride. If you want something, you must pay for it. It is going to be hard to get what you want, but it will be well worth it when you are successful. The best things in life are the hard things.
Other People Can help You
People will help you to get where you want to go. You will never make it alone easily. People can teach you and help you become a better person. Listen to other people–you will learn from them. If someone helps you, don’t forget to reward him.
Demand A Lot
When you demand a lot, you get a lot. Your expectations of others and yourself will become a reality if you expect them to be real. What you expect to happen, will happen. If you push yourself hard, you will start to see results. demand and you will receive.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR A JOB
Look through the help and want ads of newspapers and professional and trade journals. Find out where government jobs are listed and then try out for a state, local or federal job. Check with your state employment center–it may be able to get you a lead. Most schools have job placement centers, check with them. The secretaries of civic organizations and the Chamber of Commerce may have some leads for you You may be able to get a job by going to a job fair. If you are a minority or need special assistance, you may be able to get help finding a job from special interest groups. Check at your public library for further information.
Where You Can get Job Leads
Trade conventions and organizations that relate to your field may be able to get you job leads. Ask relatives and friends if they can furnish you with any leads in your field. Place a job ad in newspapers or professional journals.
YOUR RESUME
A resume is helpful for any type of professional job you are trying out for. A good and effective resume will lead you to personal interviews.
Preparing Your Resume
You must write down a collection of all the information about yourself on a sheet of paper. After all of this information is organized, transfer it to a resume. Only use the training and experience that are relevant to the job which you are applying. Write down all the information that relates to your goal on your data sheet. When you are mentioning jobs that are unrelated to the job you are applying for, be brief. Tell your prospective employer anything and everything that’s in your favor and will interest him. Arrange the information so it catches your prospective employer’s attention.
To determine what you should put in the beginning of your resume, think of what your potential employer will feel is important. You can organize your experience by job or by function. Your resume should be detailed enough to give an employer all the important facts on you, but it should not be too long or an employer may not read it. Employers are busy people and they want the facts in a few words as possible. When writing out your resume, don’t mention anything negative about yourself. If you have never had any work experience and the job calls for work experience,should you put “none” in that section of your resume? No. If you have never had nay previous work experience, don’t even include work experience.
Make Your Resume Impressive
Your resume must be typed on a good typewriter. Remember, when a prospective employer looks at a resume he subconsciously relates the quality of your resume with the quality of your work. It is the only thing he sees of you. The most impressive resumes are not five-color jobs on 20-cent paper. If your resume is too flashy, your prospective employer may not be too impressed. Don’t pass out carbon copies of your resume because they look cheap and they tell an employer that you gave the original to someone else. Research has shown that resumes printed on yellow paper with brown ink are the most effective. If you don’t want to print your resumes, just photocopy them on fancy yellow paper to give them that quality touch.
THE INTERVIEW
What You Should Bring To The Job Interview
Organize and prepare all the papers you will need with you at your job interview. Your main document is your resume. If you don’t have a resume, take instead your school records, Social Security card, work records, licenses, military records, dates of employment and names of your employers.
Your References
It is also important to create a list of references. Be prepared to give an employer the names and addresses of three people who are familiar with you and/or your work. You should ask your references for the use of their names in advance. If you think it appropriate, ask a professional friend or former employer to write you a letter of reference, and include it with your resume. If your work is the type of work you can show, take samples of what you have done in the past.
Know The Company And The Employer
Learn all you can about the company that is interviewing you. Go to the library or your Chamber of Commerce to find out all you can about it. Try to find out exactly what they do and what they have in store for you as far as jobs are concerned. Find out who you will be working for. The person you will be working for will be very influential in your life. Make sure you really want to work for this person. If your future boss doesn’t tell you about himself at the interview, don’t ask.
Know How Much You Should Earn
Know how much you should earn with your talents and skills. Make your estimate a little higher so the company benefits when they bid you down. Don’t go too high or you won’t get the job. Know approximately what the salary scale is for the job and be ready to negotiate the salary.
Know Yourself
It is important that you know yourself. Evaluate what you can offer this company, whether it is education, training or special skills. Always tell them what you can do, not what you can’t do. Know exactly what type of job you are applying for and what type of job you want.
Know Your Interviewer
Prepare yourself for the questions for the questions the interviewer is going to ask you. You should rehearse answers to the most commonly asked questions. Have some one ask you these questions to practice your answers:
Why do you want to work here? how long do you want to stay with this company? Why did you leave your last job? Tell me about yourself. Why aren’t you working now? How long do you think you would stay in this present job without a promotion? Why should we hire you? What is your greatest strength/weakness? What did you like/dislike about your last job? How much did you earn? How much do you want to earn? Why do you think you can do this job without experience?
Your Time
Make sure you are at least 10 minutes early for the scheduled appointment. Don’t come too early or too late. Give yourself enough time to spend with the interviewer–don’t arrange another appointment 15 minutes after the first appointment. Your time with the interviewer should be uninterrupted.
Your Appearance And Dress
Don’t wear too casual or too formal clothing to the interview. Dress conservatively without flashy colors. Be well groomed and shave for your interview. Women should make sure thy look very neat. Hair should not be in the face, it should be up or tied back. Makeup should be subtle. The way you look is very important to your interviewer. If your appearance is bad for the interview, that is the impression an employer will have of your job performance. Neat appearance is always a must.
What To Do At The Interview
When you shake an employer’s hand, shake it firm, solid grip. Don’t shake his hand passively. Be businesslike but pleasant and friendly. Smile throughout the whole interview. Make sure your smile does not look fake. Good eye contact is very important. If you can’t look into his eyes, look at the bridge of his nose. This will seem as if you are looking into his eyes. Sit straight up but toward the interviewer. This will make it seem as if you are very interested in what the interviewer has to say. Don’t smoke or have poor posture during the interview. If you are under stress, try to act calm.
What To Say At The Interview
Let the employer take charge of the interview. Answer his questions briefly but completely. Don’t ramble on about unimportant things and waste his time. Dogmatic statements should be avoided. Tell the employer exactly what you expect from your job and from him. Also tell him exactly what he can expect from you. Stress your qualifications in a positive, affirmative tone. When the employer tells you what type of person is wanted, use this information when telling the employer about your qualifications. It is very important to tell him what he wants to hear. When you tell people what they want to hear, they start to agree with you. Don’t over do it and exaggerate with lies. Use your resume or records to support any claim you make about yourself. If you don’t understand a question the interviewer asks you, repeat it back to him to see if you understand it. Try to see what the interviewer wants to find out about you. If you know what he wants to find out, make you answers fit his needs.
What Not To Say And Do At The Interview
Talk about previous jobs if they are in your favor. Don’t say anything bad or criticize previous employers or fellow workers. If you say anything bad about anyone, your future employer can expect trouble from you. Don’t say anything negative about yourself. Try not to discuss anything personal, financial or domestic unless you are specifically asked. If the interviewer questions you at a quick pace with confusing questions,he is doing this to put you under stress. Stay in control and answer calmly. Don’t be overly impatient when an employer asks you a question. Wait for him to finish the question and then answer it completely and in a relaxed manner. You don’t want an employer to think you are desperate for the job. Don’t take anyone with you to the interview–this makes you seem insecure.
At The End Of The Interview
If the employer does not offer you the job at the end of the interview, ask him when you will hear from him or when you can call to find out his decision. If you are asked to come back, write down the time and place you are to attend. After the interview thank the employer for spending his time with you. Ask him if he knows of any other company that may need a person with your qualifications. A good practice is to also thank the employer by mail with a “thank you” letter. Many applicants don’t do this, so this may give you an edge on the job.
If You Are Hired At The Interview
Make sure that you understand what your duties will be. A good understanding of what your employer expects from you and what you expect from your job will prevent conflicts in the future. Make sure that you are very clear on both of them. You should also find out what advancement opportunities are open for you. Tell the employer what salary you want, but only bring up money when the employer brings up your salary.
If, at the end of the interview, you are not offered the job, tell the interviewer that you really want the job. Follow up with a thank you letter to the interviewer. Tell the interviewer again in the note that you really want the job. If you forgot to mention something in the interview that you thought was important, don’t hesitate to mention it in the letter. If the company hasn’t contacted you in a week or two,call. If somebody else is hired for the job ask the interviewer if he has any other openings in his company or if he can give you any leads.
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET THAT RAISE
Make The First Move
Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what to do. Upper management admires an individual who takes initiative. Develop your individual talents. Educate yourself with new skills and knowledge. Show them that you are a real “go getter.”
Make Quick Decisions
Teach yourself to make quick, intelligent decisions. Being indecisive will hurt you. Anyone can make good, quick decisions–it is just a matter of training yourself. Intuitive instincts must be developed.
Seek More Responsibility
Take on the tougher assignments. Actively seek more difficult work with added responsibility. Take on all the responsibility you can handle. Try to take the added responsibilities in addition to your assigned work, The greater your responsibilities, the more you are an asset to management.
Increase Your Interests
The more you know, the more valuable you are to the company you work for. Go to night classes or just read books that will give you that added education. Increase your interest in things that will help your company. Specializing in as many things as you can will help you move up in a company.
Take The Risk
Nothing comes easily. Moving up in a company is going to be hard but rewarding. If you expect to move up, you must take chances. It is the little risks in life that give us the most advancement. If you don’t stick your neck out, your chances of moving up are slim.
Know Your Company
Find out everything you can about the company you work for. Understand and know your company. Study and learn the jobs of your fellow workers. Understand what they do and why they do it. Always try to increase your knowledge.
Know Your Boss
Find out what type of qualities your boss and upper management are looking for in employees. Try to develop those qualities.
Be Good At Your Job
Management always admires people who are efficient at their jobs. Keep the highest possible level of production and quality every day. Be so good at your job that you can do it without close supervision. Don’t fool around on the job, regardless of what other employees do.
Know Your Goal
You Should know exactly what position you want. Be the person they want if you want that position. Make sure you can do all that is required.
Devote Yourself To Your Company
You should have a strong sense of loyalty and devotion toward your company. Show the company that you care about its well being. Don’t disagree with company policies. Even if you disagree with them, obey them. The best that you can do is to agree with the policies and tell management diplomatically how you feel about them.
Be Reliable
Being reliable is very important. A company wants to fell secure with your contribution to the company. Don’t be late or absent from work without a very good reason.
Make Sure Your Accomplishments Are Seen
There is nothing wrong with letting others know what you have accomplished, as long as long as you don’t brag. If the opportunity arises for recognition, take it. Make sure others know what you have done. A good suggestion is to jot down your accomplishments in a dairy. When you asks for raise, refer to your dairy. Keep all your recommendations and awards in a file.
Be A Problem-Solver
Look for problems in your company. Devise practical and intelligent solutions to these problems. Bring the problem to the attention of your boss only after you have solved it and have all the details of the solution.
After-Work Activities
If overtime work is needed, don’t ever decline or avoid it. Volunteer for committees, and then work hard for them so they meet their objectives.
Voice Your Opinion
When you speak up, make sure that your opinion is well thought out. Don’t whine to your boss. Talk things out with him. Tell him what you have to say and then listen to him. Speak to your boss loudly, clearly and specifically. Don’t voice a vague opinion–tell him in specific terms exactly what is bothering you.
Ask For A Raise
When you feel you are ready for a raise and you have fulfilled all the requirements I have pointed out, ask for one.
HOW TO GET A RAISE
Know Company Policies
Understand your company’s policy on salaries and raises. You may have to be with the company a specified length of time to get a raise. Find out how long and act at the right time. If you are getting the maximum salary for your position, you may ask for a promotion or a re-classification. Do everything you can after studying the company policy book.
Know The Decision-Maker
You have to convince the person who has the authority to give raises that you deserve one. If that person is above your boss, prepare to convince your boss and his superiors that you deserve a raise.
Do You Deserve A Raise?
You must find out if you deserve a raise. Only after you are sure you deserve one will others be sure you do. Rate yourself. Try to look at yourself through your boss’s and your fellow workers’ eyes. Do they think you deserve a raise?
How To Justify A Raise
Tell them about your accomplishments that helped the company. Show them how much you saved the company through your actions. Get to know what your skills are worth for another company in the same area. Present your company with that information. Present it to them in a very non-agressive manner. tell the company what you will be able to do for them in the future. Tell them how you will benefit the company with your new raise. tell them how your value has increased since you have been with the company. Don’t mention anything about your personal needs for the money.
Be Able To Handle Rejection
If you are rejected for a raise, be able to cope with it. Deal with the rejection before you ask your boss for a raise so you will know how to handle the situation. Remember, expect the best prepare for the worst.
Know What You Want
Before you speak to your boss know exactly how much more money you expect, both in terms of dollars and percentage. If you know your boss will negotiate with you, ask for more than you actually want. In this way you will get what you want or more.
When Should You Ask For A Raise?
Make an appointment with your boss. Don’t ask him for a raise as he is passing in the hallway. Don’t ask to see your boss on busy Mondays or Fridays.
Be Prepared For Criticism
You may be criticized for not performing “up to par” now. Don’t let this criticism upset you, let it help you. You can learn from this criticism by asking for more feedback from your boss. Ask your boss how you can improve yourself. Ask him for suggestions. Always be willing to negotiate with your boss. He may only give you a bonus instead of a raise. Take it and ask for a raise later.
Handling Your Boss’s feedback
Get an immediate answer from your boss if he has the power to give you the raise. If he can’t give the answer to you now, ask him when he can. If he tells you he can’t give you a raise ask him why. Ask him what he would require from you before you got a raise, his suggestions, what needs improvement, etc. Do what he tells you to do for a raise and, when you have satisfied his needs, ask him again. If you plan to quit if you don’t get a raise, don’t threaten your boss. You want your boss’s good reference later if and when you do quit.
HOW TO MASTER THE ART OF COMPROMISE
In many cases all you will be able to get by being persistent is a compromise. Compromises are good. They get you one step[ further that you were in the first place. If for some reason, such as self-respect, you can’t accept a compromise, then don’t. Give whatever you can offer. If you do this you may not get any type of settlement in your favor. Here are steps that will show you how to compromise so that you get the best of the bargain:
Tell The Person Exactly What You Want
Tell the person exactly what you want in terms he will understand: “I want more…”
Persist
You must get past the other’s person’s excuses and alibis. You must be persistent until you fell you have hit the other person’s bottom line. You may find that the other person is trying to manipulate you. Be persistent until that person has stopped all his manipulation.
If You Are Unsure
If you don’t know what they want, then don’t make a decision. You must think the situation over before you make a compromise. If you need more time, tell the other person that you need more time. Make sure that you can live with the compromise you have made before you make it.
HOW TO DEAL WITH USELESS CRITICISM
Some criticism you get is in poor taste. We must know how to deal with criticism such as: “You look terrible today” or, “You left this in my way, you idiot.” Make sure this kind of criticism useless, follow these steps.
Agree With The Facts
Agree with the facts the other person presents. For example, in response to “You look terrible today,” say, “I haven’t been feeling too well lately”; in response to “You left this in my way you idiot,” say, “Yes, I did leave it in your way.” Answer only what was actually said, not what was implied.
How To Answer
Stay calm and collected during the whole conservation. Don’t lose your temper. The only way a person will make you feel degraded is if you degrade yourself. You don’t want to waste your time which this type of person, so don’t defend yourself or attack him.
If You Made A Mistake
If you made a mistake, accept that fact. Don’t accept the quilt for the mistake. If you were in error, then apologize. If you apologize, don’t make a big thing out of it. Don’t tell them how dreadfully sorry you are, etc. Just give them a plain “I’m sorry.”
HOW TO DEAL WITH IMPORTANT CRITICISM
When you get important criticism, you want to know how to get the best out of it. Useful criticism is one of the best ways to make yourself into a better person. Follow these steps to get the most out of useful criticism.
Ask For Feedback
Find out exactly what others object to about you. If someone tells you “You are bad,” that’s not good enough. Find out exactly why that person thinks that way. Be very persisent–find out why the other person feels the way he does. Vague criticism is worthless to you.
Guess At Reason
If a person refuses to give you reasons for criticizing you, keep guessing at your faults until you get the right one. This may be the only way to find out what displeases the other person.
Don’t Be Defensive
If you act defensively, you may not be able to benefit from useful criticism. Don’t be sarcastic or intimidate the other person. You want to learn how to become a better person from the criticism.
Ask the person how you can change your objectionable behavior; be open to reasonable suggestions.
HOW TO GET YOUR CO-WORKERS AND YOUR SUPERIORS TO LIKE YOU
Good relations with your co-workers and your superiors will not only help you but will make work more enjoyable. Every employee wants to be liked by other employees. If you treat people the way they want to be treated, they will like you. Some of us don’t know if what we do is objectionable to others. I am going to give you a list of things that attract other people to you and things they find objectionable. When you move up in the company, you will need all the support you can get.
Praise People
Everybody enjoys being praised. People look for approval of themselves in others. But you should praise people only when they deserve it. If you praise people when they don’t deserve it, or if you praise too much, you lose your credibility. Don’t exaggerate your praise. Make the praise as warm and sincere as you can.
Don’t Put People Down
Putting down a person can be very damaging to you and the other person’s relationship wit you. People don’t want to feel degraded by being called stupid, crazy, weird, etc. Don’t put down anyone even if they are not present. If you do, the word will get back to them and you will look bad. Always talk positively about people. Even if you don’t like them, still speak highly of them–you will be amazed at what this does. If you must say something bad, don’t say anything at all.
Don’t Be Concerned With Your Interests ONly
There is nothing wrong with caring and looking out for yourself. Just don’t make it noticeable to other people. You will be resented by other people if you seem selfish. Make sure others know you look out for them as well yourself.
Share The Credit
When others have helped you accomplish something, share the credit with them. Even if their contribution was not as great as yours, still share the credit with them. You will be surprised
Don’t Ask Others To Do For You What You Won’t Do For Them
If you are unwilling to go out of your way for people, don’t expect them to go out of their way for you. Set the first example–if you help them, they will help you.
Always Show Appreciation
Everyone wants approval and recognition for what they have done. If someone helps you in any way, tell him how much you appreciate his actions. If you don’t, he may not help you again. This is what you should tell people when you show your appreciation: “I really appreciate the way you…”; “Thank you very much for…”; “You are very good at…”: “I really want to tell you how much I appreciated…”; “You were very nice to…” Don’t show too much approval and recognition or it will lose its credibility.
Don’t “Show Up” Others
When you “show up” others you do it at their expense. “Showing up” people in front of others takes away their self-respect. If you are better than others, they will know it–you don’t have to degrade them.
Treat Small Things With Importance
Some things that seem small to you mean a great deal to others. Don’t ignore small problems; help people solve them. Treating small problems with importance shows other people you care.
Care About People
Everybody is concerned about themselves and it is important for them to have someone to care for them. They are touched when you care about them. Helping people cope with life makes people feel that you care about them.
Don’t Criticize A Person In Front Of Others
If you criticise someone in front of others, he will always resent you. It is one of the most degrading things you can do. If you criticize someone, criticize him constructively and privately.
Give People Your Undivided Attention
All people want to fell important. To make a person feel important you must give him your undivided attention when communicating with him. Get rid of all interruptions. Make sure you have good eye contact and that you are not playing with objects.
Be Courteous, Tactful, Polite and Diplomatic
Everyone appreciates people who are courteous,tactful, polite and diplomatic. The best way to learn these qualities is from others. Study someone you would like to be like and learn how he conducts himself.
Be Confident
If you don’t have confidence in yourself, others will not have confidence in you, either. People admire and respect confident people. If you show others doubt, they will treat you with doubt. Be sure of yourself and play down your insecurities.
Conclusion
Getting a job can be very easy if you look for it the right way. Knowing exactly what you want and then going after it will always get you what you want. Be positive, determined and persistent so that you will benefit, be rewarded and prosper.
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Julia Tang publishes Smart Online Business Tips, a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you! To find out the best online business opportunities,
and to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com
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Job! Money! Career!
Feel somehow your life is stuck in MS-OFFICE ? The reality of life for MBAs is Excel or PowerPoint , I heard Google is catching up at campus. Having gone through this myself, (I am still not out of it!), having had the nightmare of freshly minted MBAs reporting to me every year ( 90% of MBAs in their first job believe that their first Boss in Incompetent) and struggling to manage their transition to reality, guess I am now in a position to give some Gyan on assessing your job and career moves. I crystallized these thoughts while discussing these situations with a friend of mine, her issues with the first job where similar to what most of you would be facing. Job!! Money !! or Career !!
1. Money is not Important: – I do not actually mean it, not that I am asking you to struggle through an insipid low paying job. I did that for almost a year. But the rules of taxation are such that anybody earning between Rs.5.00 Lakhs to Rs. 10.00 Lakhs per annum ends up more or less with a similar quality of life. So if you are just switching jobs for a few thousand more, think twice, it may not be worth it. Do not concentrate on money right now. It is not too difficult to make money. But nobody is going to pay you a higher salary because you ask for it, organizational decision making processes are far too complex. It is not how hard you work or how you please the boss that matters! I tried this for a couple of years to no effect. The crux of the matter is what “Value” you are delivering to the organization, if the Organization as a whole (at least the people who matter) sees you deliver value they have no option but to pay for it.
2. Evaluate Payoffs: – Any Company or everybody pays you to get a job done. The choice you have to make is whether you really want to do “that” Job. Here what you need to check is- are you emotionally enjoying the job. I have seen guys struggling through high-pressure and stressful sales jobs, because of incentives, commissions and Quarterly conference at plush location when they would be much happier doing a less glamorous job that they would enjoy. This is also seen in situations when people are stuck in so called “Corporate Office” positions assisting the Senior Management with their Excel or PowerPoint, although there is a glamour attached to being in the Corporate Office etc, check whether you are actually adding to your skills. You would be better off on the Shop Floor or Field Sales at a younger age.
3. Is the job utilizing your time or adding to your skill sets: – Skill sets are both technical and behavioral. For example if your talking of a Demand Planning job, a Demand Planner who has worked on SCM packages like i2 or Oracle APO/SAP APS will at the end of the day have skills which are highly valued in the job market, but not demand planning done in “Excel”. Behavioral Skill sets are complex to explain but you know the usual set like Team Working, Leadership etc etc. This happens when the job offers you opportunity to meet a lot of professionals. Sometimes you choose a job if you find it adds to Behavioral Skill – after my engineering I opted to work as a Sales Person living on full commission for 6 months before my MBA, because that was a Skill I wanted and maybe because at the age 21 you can afford to take the risk.
4. What is Work Environment /Ambiance offering you: This is particularly important for youngsters. The world around us is changing, there are a lot of Indian companies, which are changing, valuing performance instead of loyalty, having global ambitions etc. Yet there are a lot of companies who are still stuck in the protectionist economy morass. Another method of evaluation is looking at lifecycle of the Company and the Products it sells.
If a company operates in a Mature or a declining market, it changes the whole worldview of the organization. The operations of these organizations would be tuned to maximizing returns in a mature or declining market through Cost Reductions- this always has cascading effect, Pay Packets, Promotions, Training Budgets or Publicity Budgets. At individual performance level, getting a 1% change in market share in a mature market is an extremely difficult job, so you may be actually struggling and putting in your best with minimal results, which can be very demoralizing. Also there are certain businesses or kinds of industries, which attract a particular kind of people.
Although at the first instance you may not realize it, in the long term you realize a cultural dissonance. In such scenarios it would you to shift immediately, if you culturally do not fit in the organization, there are three things that may happen:
a) You will never grow ? because you would at a cultural level be an outsider
b) You change yourself to make yourself culturally acceptable to the organization and repent that decision
c) You would have morphed so much trying fit yourself to the culture that you become unfit for any other organization
That in short is my line of thinking. It is quiet contrary to conventional thinking of running after Money and Position. Concentrate only on adding to your Skills Sets and Experiences. The Economy is currently booming there are new opportunities being thrown up both for professionals and entrepreneurs. So if you have the right mix of skills and experiences making money is not difficult. In fact there are a number of companies who have kept important positions vacant.
In the Economic Time dated 19th March 2005, it was reported that the position of Vice-President(Sales & Marketing) of India’s largest two wheeler manufacturer has been kept vacant for more than 6 months. Amazing isn’t it considering that so many marketing MBAs are minted every year.
Most importantly you should remember that all this is not very important. Career is only a means to maintain a Lifestyle and living it up is more important.
Vijay V Bhat, Mechanical Engineer and MBA from Symbiosis Centre for Management & HRD,India, currently employed as a Consultant with Infosys Technologies Ltd. The views expressed here are his and does not represent his employer. He has previously worked with manufacturing and automotive companies in India in the sales and marketing arena. He has also taught students in the Engineering and Management fields in Indian Colleges
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Ask For That Raise!
For nine years Jeff worked for company G as an engineer. Flying airplanes was his first love. His job came in a close second place. That changed when Jeff met Judy. Their relationship quickly turned serious and they married.
When Jeff and Judy sat down to do financial planning as a couple, Judy learned Jeff’s salary was surprisingly low. With a human resource background, Judy knew the salary range for Jeff’s type of work, and what his credentials were worth. Jeff was seriously underpaid.
Jeff was shocked and somewhat crestfallen. His attitude was, “I’m lucky to do what I love AND GET PAID for having fun!”
As Jeff began to understand his market value he felt betrayed. Had he been duped? Had he been a fool for years? Was his company taking advantage of him? He wanted to keep his job. Asking for a raise was painful. The idea of asking for a 30% raise was excruciating!
With a wife and future family it was time for Jeff to pay attention to his compensation.
Jeff had read The Ripple Effect, Speak Your Mind Constructively, and sat down to write his request. He was flooded with anger, frustration, fear of hearing “no raise for you”, and possibly the prospect of looking for another job. He felt disloyal yet asking to be paid a fair marketplace value was good business, not disloyalty. With a tug of war going on in his head, Jeff stayed focused on the conversation that would impact his future.
When he sat down with his boss Jeff got to the point. “I have worked here for nine years. My reviews have consistently been good to great. I’ve worked in several departments and handled every task assigned to me, competently. I love my job and have been very happy working here. I feel I’m underpaid and I am requesting a raise of $13,000. I know you need time to talk with upper management. When can I expect an answer?”
Jeff’s boss was dumbfounded. Jeff was asking for five times what their typical raise amount was, yet he sensed Jeff had a fresh understanding of his value and was dead serious. Jeff did not cloud his request with emotion, accusations, or justifications. Jeff did not threaten to leave if he did not get the raise. He stated his position and was specific about his needs.
Caught off guard, his boss simply said, “I hear you. Give me 48 hours to get you an answer.”
The next 48 hours were agonizing for Jeff and Judy. Finally, Jeff was called into his boss’ office. “After careful consideration we are prepared to offer you $12,000. Will that work?”
Now Jeff was dumbfounded. He was thrilled he had made the request. “Yes. That works fine. When will it start?” was Jeff’s response.
Jeff had newfound respect for himself and his credentials. He did what was right in his mind for his future. He followed the four steps in the Ripple Effect on how to create an effective message. He spoke in words that were comfortable for him. Emotions could have derailed his request but Jeff was careful to check his statements against the one principle and edit out any ineffective comments. Negative messages can trigger resistance, or resentment. Jeff disliked conflict and was happy with his behavior.
We all live complicated lives. Using proven communication tools is easy when we simply get to know them. When we communicate effectively, we are able to omit ineffective tactics, knowing they are likely to foil our efforts.
The Ripple Effect gives you an advantage. You can create outcomes that move your life forward and get your needs met consistently.
This is a true story. The Ripple Effect, Speak Your Mind Constructively, demonstrates how everyone can address sensitive issues effectively. With one, easy to remember principle and ten communication skills, you can express your truth in your unique way, and know you said the right thing.
Visit us at: http://www.wisewaybooks.com
Starting with a BS in Economics, I climbed the corporate ladder in multinational companies. I’ve been involved in entrepreneurial ventures from inception to sale and completed a business turnaround. For seven years I was an Executive Recruiter. The single most important asset one can posess in business and relationships is the ability to communicate effectively. We all need to be able to get things done and work together. No matter how smart, educated, or rich someone is, they will be happier and more successful at everything they do if they are able to communicate in a positve, effective manner.
Negotiation Training
There will be times that negotiating will be inevitable to a person. You might need to negotiate with your boss about your salary, the price of the house that you want to purchase, designating tasks to your team and so on. In so many cases, we will need to discuss things with the people that move around us.
Negotiating can sometimes create conflict and misunderstanding, especially if the one negotiating does not know how to express himself in the right way. A negotiator should know how to define his goals as well.
Negotiation training will help an individual or group develop their negotiation skills. Having the right style, body language and knowledge in handling meetings are quite important, and these are some of the qualities that need to be developed in order to become successful negotiators.
With regards to companies, in-house training can be booked. There are programs designed to help attendees become professional negotiators with their clients or suppliers. Moreover, they will attain the ability to make decisions and clearly see the point of other people. Trainings such as these will be able to address certain issues of your company.
Learning the art of negotiation is simply knowing how to play the game right inside the arena. You do not need to do it the hard way. You can end discussions very well by cooperating and collaborating with the people that you’re dealing with. Finding a coach that will train you or your group is not difficult. You can always make a search on the net.
How to Get Paid More Without Being Pretty or Good Looking
Guess what. The results are out they are ugly. Pretty people do get paid more money.
It pays to be tall, dark and handsome… literally. A report by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis suggests that good-looking people tend to earn higher salaries and get promoted more often than those with average looks.
When compared to the average looking people:
· Attractive people earned 5 percent more
· Overweight women earned 17 percent less
· Taller people earned 2.6 percent more
· Less attractive people earned 9 percent less.
But don’t despair; there are many other ways to improve your odds for a higher salary even if you weren’t born with stellar looks. It’s a matter of managing your visibility within the organization. It’s about creating a persona that outshines your counterparts.
A career is more that just a job and it needs care and nurturing.
You should have a personal plan for managing it just like you do your money (I hope).
Start with a list of questions about your job.
1) Do you like your job? We are going to operate on the premise that you do, but you would like to get paid what you are worth or more.
2) Do you know what others in your job category are getting paid? That’s a good place to start. Find out how your pay scale ranks with others. Don’t go out and start asking all your associates what they make. That’s a no, no. Do some research on the Internet. There are dozens of sites where you can get this information.
3) Are you planning to stay with your company for a while?
4) Do you feel like your job might be in jeopardy?
5) Do you think your pay scale is fair?
Once you find out where you fit by answering the above questions, you need to set a plan in motion. Here is a short laundry list of easy things that you should do to build your internal persona.
Give a speech.
Attend a conference.
Write an article.
Host a meeting.
Join an association.
Volunteer to help in a company sponsored function.
The opportunities for increasing your visibility are endless. The most important thing is to do something every week or at a minimum every other week to increase your exposure. Set aside an hour each week solely for self promotion. I know you can squeeze it in. Keep a notebook to jot down ideas and thoughts about ways to campaign for yourself. You never know when inspiration might occur. The important thing is to seize the moment and do something about it.
JoAnn Hines’ specialty is PACKAGING PEOPLE.
Whether you want to be paid more, you just lost your job, or you want to progress in the one you have, Ms. Hines advice and expertise can help you transform your personal brand. She can show you how to package yourself and make your brand a hot commodity. It’s easy once you know the ropes and begin to utilize her insider’s secrets. She shows you step by step how to increase your visibility, credibility and marketability with easy to use tutorials and templates.
It is time to get started Packaging Yourself.
Email pkgcoach@aol.com
