Showing posts with label career - promotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career - promotion. Show all posts
Friday, January 09, 2009
Peek into Social Networking Success
In this video, Frank Furness gives us a look into how he uses social networking to promote himself, and how he suggests job seekers do the same. Although the video is a little long (9:27 minutes) it's worth the time if you get even one tip that works for you.
Frank gives us a peek into his accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and HelloTxt, each time giving us a special piece of advice on how to get the most from that network.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Hourly Pay to Salary
Question
I am a 39 year old woman in North Carolina with a bit of a dilemma that I want to correct very soon. All of my life I have worked at hourly wage jobs. Fifteen years of that was in pizza delivery at a rate (with tips) of about $18 an hour. I took time off and took the GIA Graduate Gemologist course and passed it with flying colors. During the process of taking this course I got hired part-time for the company I now work for. I was hired as a sales associate and was paid $9 an hour. I have had two raises in the three years I have been there and now am paid the company’s highest hourly rate of $10 an hour.
Last fall, I got my graduate Gemologist diploma that hangs in the store now.
I have found out the starting average hourly pay around the country is almost three times what I am making. So now I want to transition to salary at a rate comparable to that. Since my hire, there have been two other G.G.s hired at salary at that level or higher. I have never been on salary and do not exactly know how to go about asking for it, but I better have my ducks in a row by tomorrow when I will meet with the manager.
What I have going for me besides that diploma is that they know I work the rate of 1.5 people. That’s how I have always been at every job I’ve had. I’m a self-starter that doesn’t sit idle and finds things to do at all times. They have realized I am consistent with this and that I have many other skills, such as, computer and inventory management, which came as a bonus to them as it’s not in my job description.
I have sold several pieces of jewelry there for over $10,000.00. I have a great attitude and complete any and all tasks assigned efficiently. These are things they would not know about a potential hire just because he or she had a diploma. This is a point that I was going to bring up in the meeting with my manager.
My question is “Am I screwed already?” Since they are already getting the work out of me at such a low wage, is it unlikely I have a leg to stand on as far as asking to be on salary? I want to be confident when I go in there, but not arrogant or whiny.
--Lesley
Answer
by Honey Smith, Professional Life Coach
Dear Lesley,
You write that it's "...unlikely I have a leg to stand on as far as asking to be on salary."
What leads you to write this? From your posting, you are very clear about what you're good at, and you can state in detail the value you provide to your present employer. Two salary raises in three years suggests that they are paying attention to and rewarding this value.
How would it be to have an honest conversation with your boss about the company's big-picture and the part they see you playing in it? Understanding what's driving their decisions will help you see what's negotiable and what's not.
Some more questions to consider:
1. What qualifications did new hires have that may have justified their higher salaries?
2. What made your employer willing to pay more wages to new hires? For example, is it getting harder to attract people to your industry, region of the country, etc?
3. Are there routes within the company for job growth that you aren't aware of?
Once you have some more information, try considering a different perspective: Your employer can't keep you there against your will. You haven't signed a contract that says till death do us part. You have the choice to walk away, i.e., look for companies that will pay you what you're worth. Are you willing to move somewhere else for higher pay? What would it take to make this move?
If you're happy working where you are and you're mainly concerned about better compensation, I urge you to have that conversation with your manager about your future.
Honey Smith, Ed.M. is a Professional Life Coach who helps job seekers fast forward their careers, master life transitions and fulfill their potential.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
To help you analyze your current “salary” and figure out what sort of raise you want to negotiate, check out this excerpt from How to Figure Yearly Income from Hourly Rate by Jon Emmons:
Also, be sure to research the median pay for your position at my Career Research Center.
I am a 39 year old woman in North Carolina with a bit of a dilemma that I want to correct very soon. All of my life I have worked at hourly wage jobs. Fifteen years of that was in pizza delivery at a rate (with tips) of about $18 an hour. I took time off and took the GIA Graduate Gemologist course and passed it with flying colors. During the process of taking this course I got hired part-time for the company I now work for. I was hired as a sales associate and was paid $9 an hour. I have had two raises in the three years I have been there and now am paid the company’s highest hourly rate of $10 an hour.
Last fall, I got my graduate Gemologist diploma that hangs in the store now.
I have found out the starting average hourly pay around the country is almost three times what I am making. So now I want to transition to salary at a rate comparable to that. Since my hire, there have been two other G.G.s hired at salary at that level or higher. I have never been on salary and do not exactly know how to go about asking for it, but I better have my ducks in a row by tomorrow when I will meet with the manager.
What I have going for me besides that diploma is that they know I work the rate of 1.5 people. That’s how I have always been at every job I’ve had. I’m a self-starter that doesn’t sit idle and finds things to do at all times. They have realized I am consistent with this and that I have many other skills, such as, computer and inventory management, which came as a bonus to them as it’s not in my job description.
I have sold several pieces of jewelry there for over $10,000.00. I have a great attitude and complete any and all tasks assigned efficiently. These are things they would not know about a potential hire just because he or she had a diploma. This is a point that I was going to bring up in the meeting with my manager.
My question is “Am I screwed already?” Since they are already getting the work out of me at such a low wage, is it unlikely I have a leg to stand on as far as asking to be on salary? I want to be confident when I go in there, but not arrogant or whiny.
--Lesley
Answer
by Honey Smith, Professional Life Coach
Dear Lesley,
You write that it's "...unlikely I have a leg to stand on as far as asking to be on salary."
What leads you to write this? From your posting, you are very clear about what you're good at, and you can state in detail the value you provide to your present employer. Two salary raises in three years suggests that they are paying attention to and rewarding this value.
How would it be to have an honest conversation with your boss about the company's big-picture and the part they see you playing in it? Understanding what's driving their decisions will help you see what's negotiable and what's not.
Some more questions to consider:
1. What qualifications did new hires have that may have justified their higher salaries?
2. What made your employer willing to pay more wages to new hires? For example, is it getting harder to attract people to your industry, region of the country, etc?
3. Are there routes within the company for job growth that you aren't aware of?
Once you have some more information, try considering a different perspective: Your employer can't keep you there against your will. You haven't signed a contract that says till death do us part. You have the choice to walk away, i.e., look for companies that will pay you what you're worth. Are you willing to move somewhere else for higher pay? What would it take to make this move?
If you're happy working where you are and you're mainly concerned about better compensation, I urge you to have that conversation with your manager about your future.
Honey Smith, Ed.M. is a Professional Life Coach who helps job seekers fast forward their careers, master life transitions and fulfill their potential.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
To help you analyze your current “salary” and figure out what sort of raise you want to negotiate, check out this excerpt from How to Figure Yearly Income from Hourly Rate by Jon Emmons:
Let’s say you are offered a job for $11/hour. If you assume you work 40 hours a week for 50 weeks a year you can simply double the hourly rate and that will be the yearly income in thousands, so $11/hour = $22,000/year.
Also, be sure to research the median pay for your position at my Career Research Center.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Get that Promotion
Question
I am a 25-year employee of a major corporation. I've only had two positions during that time, both within the same division and same career field.
A new position will be posted soon within my current workgroup that would provide not only a salary increase but the opportunity to be involved in new projects. I am a non-management professional with a broad range of analytical and technical skills related to financial and operational performance, some of which are specific to the corporation.
Corporate guidelines require the full application and interview process, even though both the hiring manager and his superiors are very familiar with my work product, skills, work history, etc.
What is the best approach to take on my resume? What is the best format to use? I don't want to write a resume that is either too specific or too generic, given that I am a known entity.
Your advice is appreciated. Thanks!
-- Carole
Answer
by Catherine Sutton, Professional Resume Writer
Carole, I hope you’re clear that a good resume needs to look very different from a posted “job description.” A good resume details crisp, specific, accountable accomplishments that prove your ability to perform in the new role.
If your company is advertising their position, your resume will end up next to those of other applicants who do not have the advantage of the inside track but whose resumes will spell out in detail all the reasons why they should be hired. Since your company goes through a standard application and interview process, you need to send a resume that is better than any of your competition's.
So even though it may seem superfluous, I advise you to write a really professional resume that spells out your achievements. Keeping your competitors in mind, be sure to include your company-specific skills and knowledge. Make mention of the fact that you thrive on new projects.
In your case it could work well to use the “combination” format, where you list your work experience in chronological order, and bullet your accomplishments with your current company under two or three subtitles that bring out the areas you are particularly strong in. You’ll find a number of sample combination resumes on Susan Ireland’s website.
Make it abundantly clear to the hiring manager and senior management that you are the one they need and that you deserve the promotion. Unfortunately it’s never safe to assume that people know or remember what you have done, even if you’ve been doing it for 25 years!
A final thought about avoiding gender discrimination: run your resume by some of your male friends and acquaintances, and ask how it looks to them. If they don’t react 100% positively, you may need to present yourself with a little more punch than you’re accustomed to. Remember it’s all about the competition!
I wish you the very best with your promotion.
Catherine Sutton has been a professional resume writer on Susan Ireland's team since 2002. She works with job seekers from all levels of employment in person or by phone and email.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
Carole, check out Resume Writing Tips for an Internal Promotion by Kim Isaacs. I hope this helps!
Job Lounger, do you have a question? Email (joblounge@aol.com) it to me and I’ll post your question and an expert’s answer here in The Job Lounge.
I am a 25-year employee of a major corporation. I've only had two positions during that time, both within the same division and same career field.
A new position will be posted soon within my current workgroup that would provide not only a salary increase but the opportunity to be involved in new projects. I am a non-management professional with a broad range of analytical and technical skills related to financial and operational performance, some of which are specific to the corporation.
Corporate guidelines require the full application and interview process, even though both the hiring manager and his superiors are very familiar with my work product, skills, work history, etc.
What is the best approach to take on my resume? What is the best format to use? I don't want to write a resume that is either too specific or too generic, given that I am a known entity.
Your advice is appreciated. Thanks!
-- Carole
Answer
by Catherine Sutton, Professional Resume Writer
Carole, I hope you’re clear that a good resume needs to look very different from a posted “job description.” A good resume details crisp, specific, accountable accomplishments that prove your ability to perform in the new role.
If your company is advertising their position, your resume will end up next to those of other applicants who do not have the advantage of the inside track but whose resumes will spell out in detail all the reasons why they should be hired. Since your company goes through a standard application and interview process, you need to send a resume that is better than any of your competition's.
So even though it may seem superfluous, I advise you to write a really professional resume that spells out your achievements. Keeping your competitors in mind, be sure to include your company-specific skills and knowledge. Make mention of the fact that you thrive on new projects.
In your case it could work well to use the “combination” format, where you list your work experience in chronological order, and bullet your accomplishments with your current company under two or three subtitles that bring out the areas you are particularly strong in. You’ll find a number of sample combination resumes on Susan Ireland’s website.
Make it abundantly clear to the hiring manager and senior management that you are the one they need and that you deserve the promotion. Unfortunately it’s never safe to assume that people know or remember what you have done, even if you’ve been doing it for 25 years!
A final thought about avoiding gender discrimination: run your resume by some of your male friends and acquaintances, and ask how it looks to them. If they don’t react 100% positively, you may need to present yourself with a little more punch than you’re accustomed to. Remember it’s all about the competition!
I wish you the very best with your promotion.
Catherine Sutton has been a professional resume writer on Susan Ireland's team since 2002. She works with job seekers from all levels of employment in person or by phone and email.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
Carole, check out Resume Writing Tips for an Internal Promotion by Kim Isaacs. I hope this helps!
Job Lounger, do you have a question? Email (joblounge@aol.com) it to me and I’ll post your question and an expert’s answer here in The Job Lounge.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Resume on One Page?
Question
I have been working for the same company for nine years. Last year, we were bought by a larger competitor. As part of the acquisition, I have been promoted from a sales rep to an account exec. This new job entails all of my past responsibilities PLUS a few new ones relating to more managerial responsibilities.
I need to show both positions on my resume, but do not want to use up space on redundant job descriptions. I am trying to keep my resume to only one page. How can I accomplish this while still showing the details of my responsibilities with both companies?
-- Marc
Answer
by John West Hadley, Career Search & Career Enhancement Counselor, “Helping Job Seekers Who Are Frustrated With Their Search”
Marc:
First off, why are you trying to keep your resume to only one page? You say that you have worked at the same company for nine years – is this your first job? If it’s not, then you should definitely have enough accomplishments to point to, so that a two-page resume would not only be appropriate, it would be expected! A hiring manager might even question why you don’t have enough accomplishments and results to fill more than a page, if you’ve been working longer than ten years.
If you are very recently out of school, a one-page resume is generally advisable, although I have worked with clients who had very powerful two-pagers even only a year out of graduate school.
Think of it this way: You shouldn’t go over to a second page just for the sake of doing so, but as long as you have important information to communicate, there is no reason to limit yourself to one page. (Just don’t ever go past two pages.)
As to how to incorporate your most recent job into your Experience section, here are two possibilities:
1. Split your chronology into two sections: one for the job since the promotion and one for the prior job. Separate your accomplishment bullets into the two job sections. (Obviously, there will be much more to list for the prior job at this point, but that’s OK.)
Or
2. Show one line with both jobs, like this:
Account Executive (2005-Present), Sales Representative (1997-2005)
Then show all of your accomplishment bullets under the one section.
For more on putting together a powerful resume, drop me an email and I’ll be happy to forward you Why Resume’s Don’t Sell!, an article I wrote for my Career Tips newsletter. You may also want to check out the articles available on my website.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
How Long is too Long for a Resume? makes some good points about this, as well.
I have been working for the same company for nine years. Last year, we were bought by a larger competitor. As part of the acquisition, I have been promoted from a sales rep to an account exec. This new job entails all of my past responsibilities PLUS a few new ones relating to more managerial responsibilities.
I need to show both positions on my resume, but do not want to use up space on redundant job descriptions. I am trying to keep my resume to only one page. How can I accomplish this while still showing the details of my responsibilities with both companies?
-- Marc
Answer
by John West Hadley, Career Search & Career Enhancement Counselor, “Helping Job Seekers Who Are Frustrated With Their Search”
Marc:
First off, why are you trying to keep your resume to only one page? You say that you have worked at the same company for nine years – is this your first job? If it’s not, then you should definitely have enough accomplishments to point to, so that a two-page resume would not only be appropriate, it would be expected! A hiring manager might even question why you don’t have enough accomplishments and results to fill more than a page, if you’ve been working longer than ten years.
If you are very recently out of school, a one-page resume is generally advisable, although I have worked with clients who had very powerful two-pagers even only a year out of graduate school.
Think of it this way: You shouldn’t go over to a second page just for the sake of doing so, but as long as you have important information to communicate, there is no reason to limit yourself to one page. (Just don’t ever go past two pages.)
As to how to incorporate your most recent job into your Experience section, here are two possibilities:
1. Split your chronology into two sections: one for the job since the promotion and one for the prior job. Separate your accomplishment bullets into the two job sections. (Obviously, there will be much more to list for the prior job at this point, but that’s OK.)
Or
2. Show one line with both jobs, like this:
Account Executive (2005-Present), Sales Representative (1997-2005)
Then show all of your accomplishment bullets under the one section.
For more on putting together a powerful resume, drop me an email and I’ll be happy to forward you Why Resume’s Don’t Sell!, an article I wrote for my Career Tips newsletter. You may also want to check out the articles available on my website.
Susan Ireland’s Two Cents
How Long is too Long for a Resume? makes some good points about this, as well.
Monday, January 15, 2007
How to Leave a Job
Question
I've been working at my current job for 2.5 years during which time I was promoted (I started right out of college). For various reasons - personal as well I'm interested in a new professional challenge - I have decided to relocate from NY to DC.
How do I approach my employer with this information knowing that I will also be asking her to be a reference? And does my resume absolutely have to be 1 page or can I squeeze it to 1.5 pages? -- Renee-Lauren
Answer by Roberta Rosen, Career Coach
I’ll answer your resume question first. I suggest you read over your 1.5 pages with a very critical eye. Ask yourself, “Is everything I’ve included important to help convince my next employer that I can do the job well?” If anything in your resume doesn’t pass this test, take it out. As Susan Ireland says, “Your resume is about your future not your past.” If everything on your resume is necessary to make your case, then two pages will be fine.
Now for your question about how to tell your employer that you want to leave. If you are planning to go to a different company that’s located in D.C., then you needn’t tell your boss until you get the new job and are ready to give your two-week notice.
If, however, you are leaving for another branch of your current employer’s, which is located in D.C., then you might tell your supervisor you’ve enjoyed working for her but would like to move to another city for a new position and a new challenge. Tipping her off ahead of time will show that you are someone who deals with change and growth in an honest and forthright manner. This is a very positive trait in today’s job market where change is common but not always embraced easily.
Job Loungers, do you have a question? Email it to me and I’ll post your question and my answer here in The Job Lounge.
I've been working at my current job for 2.5 years during which time I was promoted (I started right out of college). For various reasons - personal as well I'm interested in a new professional challenge - I have decided to relocate from NY to DC.
How do I approach my employer with this information knowing that I will also be asking her to be a reference? And does my resume absolutely have to be 1 page or can I squeeze it to 1.5 pages? -- Renee-Lauren
Answer by Roberta Rosen, Career Coach
I’ll answer your resume question first. I suggest you read over your 1.5 pages with a very critical eye. Ask yourself, “Is everything I’ve included important to help convince my next employer that I can do the job well?” If anything in your resume doesn’t pass this test, take it out. As Susan Ireland says, “Your resume is about your future not your past.” If everything on your resume is necessary to make your case, then two pages will be fine.
Now for your question about how to tell your employer that you want to leave. If you are planning to go to a different company that’s located in D.C., then you needn’t tell your boss until you get the new job and are ready to give your two-week notice.
If, however, you are leaving for another branch of your current employer’s, which is located in D.C., then you might tell your supervisor you’ve enjoyed working for her but would like to move to another city for a new position and a new challenge. Tipping her off ahead of time will show that you are someone who deals with change and growth in an honest and forthright manner. This is a very positive trait in today’s job market where change is common but not always embraced easily.
Job Loungers, do you have a question? Email it to me and I’ll post your question and my answer here in The Job Lounge.
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