Negotiating pay can be a nightmare. Should you ask for more, and have the hiring manager laugh in your face? Or should you ask for less and not be taken very seriously? There is a delicate balance when it comes to wage demands. This article will guide you in that process.
If you are looking for a job, the most important thing to remember is to stick with it. Treat it like you have the job of looking for a job! Dedicate a set number of hours to it every day so that you can really focus on it. That way, you’ll get a job sooner.
Know what the industry standard is when it comes to pay, and do not undervalue yourself during salary negotiation. Some people set their salary requirement at less than their value because they think a prospective employer will not hire them for more money. This shows that you are confident in your abilities, and not afraid to take a chance and go for what you want.
Most initial applications are currently done online, so present yourself in the best light with an impressive resume and cover letter. When you are contacted for a personal interview, make sure you dress appropriately and present yourself as a professional. Try to appear confident and hide any nervousness you might feel.
Research all there is to know about the company before you apply for a job and go on your interview. This will show that you have done your homework when you are being interviewed and can lead to a lot of important questions that you may have. Additionally, you will get to see the culture of the company and what it has to offer.
Make sure that you use the cover letter as a chance to stress any qualifications you have that were mentioned in their ad. If you are responding to an ad that requires leadership, focus your cover letter on your leadership skills. Pay close attention to the wording of the employment advertisement and try to match the qualifications sought with those you offer.
After you are done with your interview, be sure to send a thank you letter to the person who interviewed you. This not only is an act of graciousness, but also shows that you are following up in a professional manner. This will make a great first impression if you did not make one already.
Employment
Dress to impress! Potential employers will view a well-dressed prospect as more qualified than someone who doesn’t dress well, regardless of their actual qualifications. You need not overdo it all the time, but dress properly even when you are merely dropping off applications and resumes.
Update your resume. You should always keep your resume current, even when you are not on the hunt for a job. You never know when an opportunity may present itself, so have a copy of your resume ready and available. It will also be easier to keep track of previous employment when you don’t have to track down each bit of info as you need it.
When submitting a resume, you need to think about how to cover any gaps in employment. Gaps in employment, for whatever reason, can be viewed as a negative mark against your employment history. If they are long gaps, show how you have kept up to date within your industry. If they are shorter, explain any reasons for these gaps so they are not perceived in a negative light.
If funds are really getting short as you seek the right job, consider working at a job in a different field while you seek something better. You could, for instance, tend a bar or wait tables and spend your free time looking for something better.
A common mistake people make when they are on the job market is to consider certain jobs as ‘beneath them.’ The bottom line is that you need to make ends meet. If you have considerable savings, that’s one thing, but you may want to consider accepting a job that may not be your ideal job but that would allow you to pay the bills while you look for another source of employment.
Before committing to a job search company, check them out very well to make sure they can actually follow through on their promises. There are a lot of places that are only there to take your money. Ask around and see if there are others you know who have had experience with the agency. Be assured that there are many legitimate companies out there who do care about you and are honest dealers.
Specifying your wage demands can actually be more important than you think. Whether you ask for too much, or too little, it can very negatively impact your chance of getting the job. This article can be very useful in deciding what to do in each situation, so be sure to have it handy before your next interview.
