That Dreaded But Yet Ever So Important Question...

Can I have A Raise?  Probably not the best way to start off a conversation with your manager.  Let's backtrack a bit....you have worked very hard for the same company for several years.  You have poked your nose in and around the marketplace and you begin to wonder....is this all I am going to do with my career?  And if it is how can I make changes to my career path to earn more of Uncle Sam's coins?

It is a hard conversation to have with any boss/supervisor/VP/Director/SVP etc.  There is always that "what's in it for me?" question that remains in both parties' minds during and after this conversation.  Just because you have done your job (and well too) doesn't necessarily guarantee you a raise.  It seems logical, I know.  Even if you know that your market value is higher somewhere else.  Remember this - the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  My advice?  Stretch yourself....prove yourself (yes again).

Ok so now you think I am crazy.  That's ok - I think sometimes I am.  If you have a good boss - one who genuinely cares - he/she will go to bat for you no matter what.  You may not like their response but know this - they are trying to make you more invaluable to the organization.  So how do you do this?

Look at your role as a whole part of the company.  Then break it down into functions.  See where you spend most of your time.  Next look at the field you are in (i.e. human resources, finance, sales, marketing, etc.).  See if there are other areas within the field that you would like to explore.  There has to be at least one or 2 :-)  Now see where those things fit within the organization.  Would it be a value to the organization for you to go into those areas?  Are there any improvements or special projects you could take on within the organization that would be a cost savings, process improvement, or revenue generating?

Then after you have done all of this thinking you can go back to your boss and let them know that these are your thoughts.  This will show him/her that you actually care about the organization and you aren't just putting your needs first.  This is a way for you to position yourself for greatness (and more $$)

Good luck!

Recruiting has become anti-social: Negotiating Salaries - a Corporate Recruiter's Per...

Recruiting has become anti-social: Negotiating Salaries - a Corporate Recruiter's Per...: Ok so you have finally found that perfect job!  Now it is time to complete the application.  Fill in this - type that.  Long process isn't i...

Negotiating Salaries - a Corporate Recruiter's Perspective

Ok so you have finally found that perfect job!  Now it is time to complete the application.  Fill in this - type that.  Long process isn't is.  So after 20 minutes of typing in all of the information that can be found on your resume (yes we do understand) you come the section where it asks for salary information.  So you think to yourself - "hmm...if I put down what I really want I may knock myself out of the running for an interview" OR "if I put down nothing or a $1 if it requires a number than they would have to call me for an interview".  And you are correct on both thoughts.  The issue with putting down $1 is when you actually get the interview (phone or in-person) and the hiring manager or HR person asks you for your salary requirements.  You can't tell them $1 but if you shoot too high you won't get the job.  What do you do????

Stay tuned for the next blog......

Is Tweeting Really Social?

Being a recruiter for over 10 years, I have been trying to reinvent the way I recruit.  I am active on most of the social networking sites - LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Recently my company has taken the plunge into the social media world.  I have been doing some research on social media and to effectively use it to recruit candidates globally.  So without really knowing the best ways to use social media to recruit I find myself looking at various YouTube videos and tutorials that just talk in circles.  So I have decided to take some time and do the research myself.  After spending the last few days on Twitter - not learning how to tweet (I know how to do that) - but trying to find creative ways to not only tweet the open jobs I am working on, but to find way to creatively connect with more people.  LinkedIn and Facebook make it relatively easy to build networks but I am having a hell of a time with Twitter.  And then it hit me like lightening - why has recruiting and networking become so "anti social"?  During my days of Career Coaching I would tell my clients that they need to be out there networking - yes physically networking, physically shaking hands with people.  And LinkedIn took off like a rocket and I became an SME with LinkedIn.  I taught my clients the proper way to use LinkedIn and how to make "introductions".  "Introductions"???  Via computer??? Now listen I am not "old school"....It just seems like the information age has taken over our lives and the way we choose to meet (or not) and network with people. So now I sit and ponder - is social networking really a way of being social?  Or is it just a way for people to become more shut in than they already were.  In today's job market it is more about who you than what you know.  So how can one claim to "know" so many people when they have never physically spoken on the phone or have met face-to-face?