Surviving and thriving amidst office politics
Going to work each day can become a terrible dread whenever office politics comes to a head. However, most of the time, such predicaments are well beyond our control as individuals. Nevertheless, each and every person within an organisation has a part to play in minimising the occurrences of negative experiences and attitudes at work.
It is possible to survive and even potentially thrive in the midst of harrowing circumstances that take at work.
In terms of surviving office politics, here are some practical steps that you can take to make your experience at the office a more peaceful and enjoyable one:
Be respectful and diplomatic. Whatever the problem may be, practising an attitude of respect for whenever you deal with others, regardless of who they are or what position they hold in the organisation. Give people a sense of dignity through the way you relate to them. People who feel respected would more likely give you a similar treatment. It also makes a huge difference if you handle a conflict carefully and with a sense of tactfulness.
Form strategic alliances. By this I do not mean you should try to get as many people as possible to be on your side whenever there’s a conflict. Rather, your aim should be to be friendly to all and to build good relationships with whoever you’re working with. It is important to find ways to get along even with those whom you dislike or those whom you have trouble getting along with.
Think before you act or speak. As simple as this may seem, it can really make a big difference and save you tons of unnecessary hassle down the road. Despite how you may feel about a certain issue or person, take time to think through your actions or words before doing or saying something.
Understand your office culture. Every workplace has an unwritten code of conduct, and it would benefit you greatly if you are able to detect this and to find ways to use this to your advantage. The point here is not to plot and scheme for your own personal gain, but instead observe how others act around you and adjusting your behaviour to suit the prevailing preferences .
Learn from others. Identify individuals in your company who are performing well and analyse why this is so. Perhaps you could emulate certain things from them regarding how to excel in the place where you work. If he or she is an approachable person, you might like to consider asking them if they would like to be your mentor as well. That way, you can go to him or her directly to seek advice on matters pertaining to the office whenever the need arises..
Go straight to the source. It is common for rumours and all sorts of gossip to spread within a company, but you can play your part in helping to curb it. While it may not possible to stop others from talking, you can do your bit by resolving not to pass on any information that would be detrimental to anyone in the office.
All in all, dealing with office politics is something that can only be learnt through trial and error. Whilst there may not always be a direct solution, it helps if you keep an open mind and maintain a positive attitude coupled by a good sense of humour.
I’m sure every one of you readers out there has had some real life experiences with regards to office politics. Are you the type who would actively participate in it or are you the silent observer? Do you agree with the principles I highlighted just now? Or perhaps you have another method of handling things? Feel free to share your opinions on this topic by dropping a comment.
Read more
It is possible to survive and even potentially thrive in the midst of harrowing circumstances that take at work.
In terms of surviving office politics, here are some practical steps that you can take to make your experience at the office a more peaceful and enjoyable one:
Be respectful and diplomatic. Whatever the problem may be, practising an attitude of respect for whenever you deal with others, regardless of who they are or what position they hold in the organisation. Give people a sense of dignity through the way you relate to them. People who feel respected would more likely give you a similar treatment. It also makes a huge difference if you handle a conflict carefully and with a sense of tactfulness.
Form strategic alliances. By this I do not mean you should try to get as many people as possible to be on your side whenever there’s a conflict. Rather, your aim should be to be friendly to all and to build good relationships with whoever you’re working with. It is important to find ways to get along even with those whom you dislike or those whom you have trouble getting along with.
Think before you act or speak. As simple as this may seem, it can really make a big difference and save you tons of unnecessary hassle down the road. Despite how you may feel about a certain issue or person, take time to think through your actions or words before doing or saying something.
Understand your office culture. Every workplace has an unwritten code of conduct, and it would benefit you greatly if you are able to detect this and to find ways to use this to your advantage. The point here is not to plot and scheme for your own personal gain, but instead observe how others act around you and adjusting your behaviour to suit the prevailing preferences .
Learn from others. Identify individuals in your company who are performing well and analyse why this is so. Perhaps you could emulate certain things from them regarding how to excel in the place where you work. If he or she is an approachable person, you might like to consider asking them if they would like to be your mentor as well. That way, you can go to him or her directly to seek advice on matters pertaining to the office whenever the need arises..
Go straight to the source. It is common for rumours and all sorts of gossip to spread within a company, but you can play your part in helping to curb it. While it may not possible to stop others from talking, you can do your bit by resolving not to pass on any information that would be detrimental to anyone in the office.
All in all, dealing with office politics is something that can only be learnt through trial and error. Whilst there may not always be a direct solution, it helps if you keep an open mind and maintain a positive attitude coupled by a good sense of humour.
I’m sure every one of you readers out there has had some real life experiences with regards to office politics. Are you the type who would actively participate in it or are you the silent observer? Do you agree with the principles I highlighted just now? Or perhaps you have another method of handling things? Feel free to share your opinions on this topic by dropping a comment.
An emphasis on team spirit
When it comes to work, it may seem that going solo for a work assignment is the fastest and most trouble-free route to take. What’s more, if you accomplish something outstanding all by yourself, you will get full recognition and would not need to share the limelight with someone else. However, being independent isn’t always the best way to get things done.
In fact, nowadays more and more companies have come to realise the importance of teamwork in a corporate setting. Each individual employee typically has certain strengths which are unique to him/her, and if his/her expertise is carefully combined with the skills possessed by other equally talented individuals, greater productivity levels and higher quality in work can be achieved than if these employees were to merely work in isolation from one another. In the wise words of Ken Blanchard, “None of us is as smart as all of us”. Furthermore, there is a certain kind of energy and motivation that can only be experienced through team dynamics.
Hence, as an employee who seeks to bring out the best in your organisation, being a team player should become a main priority in your daily work.
Here are some ways in which you can actively contribute towards creating a good team spirit amongst your colleagues:
Lead by example. You don’t have to be a manager to be a leader – sometimes the best of leaders are those without a title. You can encourage working as a team in the office by including other co-workers in relevant tasks or projects that you do. Sometimes this may simply be a case of seeking out their opinion or feedback on a particular matter. At other times, it could be suggesting that their presence is crucial for a particular planning or decision making meeting that you are also attending. Whatever the case may be, aim to make it clear by your actions that you place a high value on working together as a team.
Acknowledge others. Whenever something significant is achieved at work and you accomplished it through the help of others, remember to openly acknowledge them for their effort. This shows that you value their contributions, and also further promotes a greater sense of team spirit amongst you and your fellow co-workers.
Close communication gaps. As long as there are two or more people interacting in some form or another, there is always a possibility of conflict arising. Nevertheless, even conflict can be used to bring out the best in a team. Play your part by actively seeking to communicate with others and make sure that everyone is of the same mind. Besides that, you should speak up or take necessary action whenever you are in a position to help resolve disputes or misunderstandings between your colleagues. You should also develop good listening skills and encourage others to do the same, especially during meeting times where someone else is trying to voice their opinion.
Encourage participation. Not everyone is used to being proactive or expressing their views in a team setting. In order to create a better team spirit, you should do whatever you can to encourage every team member to participate actively in the discussion or decision being made. Each and every team member should be made to realise that they have a valuable contribution to offer the team. Regardless of whether you are the team leader or not, you should take on the responsibility of ensuring that everybody is doing their bit for the team.
Be friendly. Cultivate a genuine interest in the people who are in your team. This means going beyond merely asking for favours or chasing down end results or deadlines from your fellow co-workers. Wherever possible, you should aim to get to know your colleagues on a more personal level; perhaps by having a drink or a meal together after work, or just taking time to occasionally make small talk. By building rapport with your team mates, it will be much easier to collaborate and get things done at work in the long run.
All of us have worked in teams at some point or another. What experiences have you had whilst working in a team? Feel free to drop a comment and share with us.
In fact, nowadays more and more companies have come to realise the importance of teamwork in a corporate setting. Each individual employee typically has certain strengths which are unique to him/her, and if his/her expertise is carefully combined with the skills possessed by other equally talented individuals, greater productivity levels and higher quality in work can be achieved than if these employees were to merely work in isolation from one another. In the wise words of Ken Blanchard, “None of us is as smart as all of us”. Furthermore, there is a certain kind of energy and motivation that can only be experienced through team dynamics.
Hence, as an employee who seeks to bring out the best in your organisation, being a team player should become a main priority in your daily work.
Here are some ways in which you can actively contribute towards creating a good team spirit amongst your colleagues:
Lead by example. You don’t have to be a manager to be a leader – sometimes the best of leaders are those without a title. You can encourage working as a team in the office by including other co-workers in relevant tasks or projects that you do. Sometimes this may simply be a case of seeking out their opinion or feedback on a particular matter. At other times, it could be suggesting that their presence is crucial for a particular planning or decision making meeting that you are also attending. Whatever the case may be, aim to make it clear by your actions that you place a high value on working together as a team.
Acknowledge others. Whenever something significant is achieved at work and you accomplished it through the help of others, remember to openly acknowledge them for their effort. This shows that you value their contributions, and also further promotes a greater sense of team spirit amongst you and your fellow co-workers.
Close communication gaps. As long as there are two or more people interacting in some form or another, there is always a possibility of conflict arising. Nevertheless, even conflict can be used to bring out the best in a team. Play your part by actively seeking to communicate with others and make sure that everyone is of the same mind. Besides that, you should speak up or take necessary action whenever you are in a position to help resolve disputes or misunderstandings between your colleagues. You should also develop good listening skills and encourage others to do the same, especially during meeting times where someone else is trying to voice their opinion.
Encourage participation. Not everyone is used to being proactive or expressing their views in a team setting. In order to create a better team spirit, you should do whatever you can to encourage every team member to participate actively in the discussion or decision being made. Each and every team member should be made to realise that they have a valuable contribution to offer the team. Regardless of whether you are the team leader or not, you should take on the responsibility of ensuring that everybody is doing their bit for the team.
Be friendly. Cultivate a genuine interest in the people who are in your team. This means going beyond merely asking for favours or chasing down end results or deadlines from your fellow co-workers. Wherever possible, you should aim to get to know your colleagues on a more personal level; perhaps by having a drink or a meal together after work, or just taking time to occasionally make small talk. By building rapport with your team mates, it will be much easier to collaborate and get things done at work in the long run.
All of us have worked in teams at some point or another. What experiences have you had whilst working in a team? Feel free to drop a comment and share with us.
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Dressed to impress?
Your dress code speaks volumes about who you are and conveys an image of the organisation you represent. For this reason, it is essential that you pay close attention to what you wear to work.
Some companies go as far as to outline what is the permissible (as well as what isn’t acceptable) explicitly in the Code of Conduct that is handed down to each and every one of their employees. At the same time, there are other firms who do not even so much as mention if there is a standard dress code, and yet its employees know perfectly well what they can and should wear to work.
If the organization you work for happens to be like the former, then that makes it a whole lot easier for you to eliminate options of what to wear when combing through your wardrobe each morning for something to wear. But even in such circumstances, there are bound to be grey areas that may still puzzle you and leave you clueless.
Here are some general pointers to consider when planning suitable attire to wear to the office.
Understand your company’s corporate culture. If your employer tends to project the company as one that is prestigious and caters for an affluent clientele, it is likely that you will need to dress the part as well. This means you would need to wear formal attire such as a suit or coat, a necktie (if you’re a man) and even sport well polished shoes when dealing with clients. On the other hand, if the firm you work at highly esteems practicality and simplicity, there may be a chance that you are allowed to dress down a little more; perhaps even being able to wear jeans and t-shirts to the office. Consider what values and corporate image your organization wants to project, and make sure to reflect that in clothes you wear to work each day.
Observe what others wear. When in doubt, turn to other colleagues around you to get a better idea of what is best to wear to work. Although it’s not likely you can conform to wearing the same style of clothing as he or she does, at the very least you will have a rough guideline to work with. Look out especially for how your bosses dress to work. It may be that they would demand that your dress code be of a similar standard as theirs.
Be aware of industry practices. Certain careers require that a stricter dress code should be observed at the workplace. Examples of this can be seen in the legal and medical profession. It is important for you to find out whether the industry you work in has such expectations for your dressing. If it does, then you should adhere to it as much as you can, as it may have an impact on your future career advancement and would also help you blend in better with others within the same profession.
Respect the cultural and religious preferences of others. If your job requires you to interact with people outside of your office quarters, bear in mind the cultural and religious preferences of those you are meeting. The idea here is to avoid being offensive as much as possible. For instance, if you are a lady and you are aware that your client adopts a religion that promotes modest dressing, it would be advisable that you refrained from wearing anything that would draw unnecessary attention to your body such as short skirts or blouses with low necklines.
When in doubt, go for the more conservative option. It is typically better to be found overdressed rather than underdressed when it comes to a corporate setting. Appearing too casual might send across the wrong message that you are irreverent or unprofessional, and this would ultimately land you in trouble with your bosses or even clients. As the saying goes, better to be safe than sorry. Hence, you should go for the more conservative option whenever you find yourself faced with a certain degree of uncertainty as to what is appropriate for a particular occasion or location.
There really is no standard set of regulations when it comes to work dress code. However, in general, the idea is that you should be well groomed. Besides just focusing on the clothes you put on, remember to look into your overall appearance as well. This includes keeping your hair tidy, putting on appropriate footwear, using perfume or deodorant to keep unpleasant body odours at bay, and so much more. Ultimately, as fashion trends continue to change rapidly, you will need to continually adjust your dress code to suit the current vogue.
What’s your take on an appropriate dress style for work? Do you think smart casual is the way to go? Or do you prefer the classic formal wear? Is it better to be overdressed as opposed to underdressed? Go ahead and speak your mind – drop me a comment or two.
Some companies go as far as to outline what is the permissible (as well as what isn’t acceptable) explicitly in the Code of Conduct that is handed down to each and every one of their employees. At the same time, there are other firms who do not even so much as mention if there is a standard dress code, and yet its employees know perfectly well what they can and should wear to work.
If the organization you work for happens to be like the former, then that makes it a whole lot easier for you to eliminate options of what to wear when combing through your wardrobe each morning for something to wear. But even in such circumstances, there are bound to be grey areas that may still puzzle you and leave you clueless.
Here are some general pointers to consider when planning suitable attire to wear to the office.
Understand your company’s corporate culture. If your employer tends to project the company as one that is prestigious and caters for an affluent clientele, it is likely that you will need to dress the part as well. This means you would need to wear formal attire such as a suit or coat, a necktie (if you’re a man) and even sport well polished shoes when dealing with clients. On the other hand, if the firm you work at highly esteems practicality and simplicity, there may be a chance that you are allowed to dress down a little more; perhaps even being able to wear jeans and t-shirts to the office. Consider what values and corporate image your organization wants to project, and make sure to reflect that in clothes you wear to work each day.
Observe what others wear. When in doubt, turn to other colleagues around you to get a better idea of what is best to wear to work. Although it’s not likely you can conform to wearing the same style of clothing as he or she does, at the very least you will have a rough guideline to work with. Look out especially for how your bosses dress to work. It may be that they would demand that your dress code be of a similar standard as theirs.
Be aware of industry practices. Certain careers require that a stricter dress code should be observed at the workplace. Examples of this can be seen in the legal and medical profession. It is important for you to find out whether the industry you work in has such expectations for your dressing. If it does, then you should adhere to it as much as you can, as it may have an impact on your future career advancement and would also help you blend in better with others within the same profession.
Respect the cultural and religious preferences of others. If your job requires you to interact with people outside of your office quarters, bear in mind the cultural and religious preferences of those you are meeting. The idea here is to avoid being offensive as much as possible. For instance, if you are a lady and you are aware that your client adopts a religion that promotes modest dressing, it would be advisable that you refrained from wearing anything that would draw unnecessary attention to your body such as short skirts or blouses with low necklines.
When in doubt, go for the more conservative option. It is typically better to be found overdressed rather than underdressed when it comes to a corporate setting. Appearing too casual might send across the wrong message that you are irreverent or unprofessional, and this would ultimately land you in trouble with your bosses or even clients. As the saying goes, better to be safe than sorry. Hence, you should go for the more conservative option whenever you find yourself faced with a certain degree of uncertainty as to what is appropriate for a particular occasion or location.
There really is no standard set of regulations when it comes to work dress code. However, in general, the idea is that you should be well groomed. Besides just focusing on the clothes you put on, remember to look into your overall appearance as well. This includes keeping your hair tidy, putting on appropriate footwear, using perfume or deodorant to keep unpleasant body odours at bay, and so much more. Ultimately, as fashion trends continue to change rapidly, you will need to continually adjust your dress code to suit the current vogue.
What’s your take on an appropriate dress style for work? Do you think smart casual is the way to go? Or do you prefer the classic formal wear? Is it better to be overdressed as opposed to underdressed? Go ahead and speak your mind – drop me a comment or two.
Job portals: Propelling you towards better job prospects
Modern technology has invaded our lives and made huge changes to the way we do things nowadays. The job application process is no exception. Presently, it has become extremely common for candidates to apply for a job via the Internet. This is typically done through e-mail, company websites or even job portals.
If you have yet to experience what it is like to apply for jobs via an online portal, you really should give it a try. Not only does it make it easier for you to send in your applications (you can do it within the comfort of your home and at any given time of the day), you can keep track of each application’s status better. At times, there may even be a number of value added services available to you as a job portal user, and these may help improve your chances of getting hired.
Here are some features you can expect to see when using a job portal:
Profile page. When you sign up, one of the first few things you will be asked to do is to fill up a form containing your personal particulars. The information you provide here can later be used when sending out job applications or can be viewed by employers who are looking for suitable people to fill their current vacancies.
CV upload. This is the section of the job portal where you are able to upload a soft copy of your CV. Formats that are normally supported are text files and PDF files. This electronic version of your CV can then be easily sent out to employers along with every job application you make without you having to manually attach it each time. It is recommended that you include your CV as part of your online profile as this will help employers to understand your background better, thus increasing your chances of being considered a worthy candidate. Make sure to update it often so that it reflects your current position and any further developments to your career.
Job agent. Subscribers to the job portal will receive alerts on new job openings. Usually, you are permitted to customise the settings for such notifications. For instance, you can select the type of jobs that you will be alerted on and can choose to view only those within the area of your interest or which corresponds to your present work experience. You can also select which job position or level you are looking for, preferred nature of work (part time, full time, internship, etc.), location and the frequency of the updates provided to you. Notification methods which are used include SMS and e-mail.
Personality profiling. This is a useful tool that will help you to understand yourself better. You would be required to respond to a questionnaire and a report would later be presented to you based on your answers. This report would analyse areas like your preferred working style, the strengths and weaknesses of your character, tasks or skills that you are good at or need improvement in, types of jobs that would suit you best and so much more. Depending on your personal user settings, you can also opt to allow potential employers to view these details when reviewing your job application. At Jobscentral, such a profile is provided to users free of charge by C-Vat.
Job search engine. Other than receiving timely news on available job vacancies, you can also perform online searches anytime you feel like it. Filters are normally provided to enable you to limit search results so it displays only the types of jobs which you are interested in or qualified for.
Updates and information. In addition to the other features that have already been highlighted, job portals may offer its users reports or information on career or industry trends. There may also be a pool of articles available on topics that are relevant to employment, job seeking or career development. Some job portals may maintain a blog too, where a resident counsellor or expert would provide comment or advice on current job related issues.
Promotions, contests, events. The company managing the job portal may occasionally offer certain promotions to their users. For instance, a free admission or discounted entry price to a career fair that is organised by them. Contests may also be held from time to time, and job seekers stand to gain additional benefits whenever they choose to participate.
As you can see, there are many advantages that can be enjoyed when using a job portal to seek employment. If this post has sparked your interest, why not head over to http://www.jobscentral.com.my/ and have a go at it? All the features highlighted above can be found there. If you have previously used job portals, please share with us what your experience has been like too.
If you have yet to experience what it is like to apply for jobs via an online portal, you really should give it a try. Not only does it make it easier for you to send in your applications (you can do it within the comfort of your home and at any given time of the day), you can keep track of each application’s status better. At times, there may even be a number of value added services available to you as a job portal user, and these may help improve your chances of getting hired.
Here are some features you can expect to see when using a job portal:
Profile page. When you sign up, one of the first few things you will be asked to do is to fill up a form containing your personal particulars. The information you provide here can later be used when sending out job applications or can be viewed by employers who are looking for suitable people to fill their current vacancies.
CV upload. This is the section of the job portal where you are able to upload a soft copy of your CV. Formats that are normally supported are text files and PDF files. This electronic version of your CV can then be easily sent out to employers along with every job application you make without you having to manually attach it each time. It is recommended that you include your CV as part of your online profile as this will help employers to understand your background better, thus increasing your chances of being considered a worthy candidate. Make sure to update it often so that it reflects your current position and any further developments to your career.
Job agent. Subscribers to the job portal will receive alerts on new job openings. Usually, you are permitted to customise the settings for such notifications. For instance, you can select the type of jobs that you will be alerted on and can choose to view only those within the area of your interest or which corresponds to your present work experience. You can also select which job position or level you are looking for, preferred nature of work (part time, full time, internship, etc.), location and the frequency of the updates provided to you. Notification methods which are used include SMS and e-mail.
Personality profiling. This is a useful tool that will help you to understand yourself better. You would be required to respond to a questionnaire and a report would later be presented to you based on your answers. This report would analyse areas like your preferred working style, the strengths and weaknesses of your character, tasks or skills that you are good at or need improvement in, types of jobs that would suit you best and so much more. Depending on your personal user settings, you can also opt to allow potential employers to view these details when reviewing your job application. At Jobscentral, such a profile is provided to users free of charge by C-Vat.
Job search engine. Other than receiving timely news on available job vacancies, you can also perform online searches anytime you feel like it. Filters are normally provided to enable you to limit search results so it displays only the types of jobs which you are interested in or qualified for.
Updates and information. In addition to the other features that have already been highlighted, job portals may offer its users reports or information on career or industry trends. There may also be a pool of articles available on topics that are relevant to employment, job seeking or career development. Some job portals may maintain a blog too, where a resident counsellor or expert would provide comment or advice on current job related issues.
Promotions, contests, events. The company managing the job portal may occasionally offer certain promotions to their users. For instance, a free admission or discounted entry price to a career fair that is organised by them. Contests may also be held from time to time, and job seekers stand to gain additional benefits whenever they choose to participate.
As you can see, there are many advantages that can be enjoyed when using a job portal to seek employment. If this post has sparked your interest, why not head over to http://www.jobscentral.com.my/ and have a go at it? All the features highlighted above can be found there. If you have previously used job portals, please share with us what your experience has been like too.
Sticky about salary - Part 2
Perhaps the previous post on the factors affecting salary rates may have left you a little disheartened, as fighting for a better salary may now seem like just another lost cause, given the many contributing factors that lead to the determination of your monthly pay.
But don’t sink into despair just yet.
There is always room for negotiation with your employer if you’re dissatisfied with what you’re earning. The trick is to approach the subject matter with the right tactics and with the right attitude.
Work out the whys. Think through the reasons why you should be given increment in your salary amount. Jot them down if you have to, and have solid facts to support your premise. It’s important that you’re clear on how you will justify your request for a raise as you’ll need to successfully convince your boss that you really do deserve it.
Keep detailed records. It is a good practice to keep a brief journal of your ongoing work accomplishments over time. This will help you in your goal to gain that salary increment which you’re hoping for, as it provides evidence that you are asking for something that you have rightfully earned.
Offer to do more. One surefire way to increase your chances of getting yourself a better salary is to take on more than is stated in your current job scope. Not only does this help widen your range of capabilities and expand your career, it also shows your employer that you are worth a lot – and that could mean possibly more than you’re currently being paid. It’s a classic case of show and tell – in other words, proving your worth by actions rather than just trying to convince your boss by mere words.
Wait for the right time. As with most things in life, timing is everything. Usually, most companies carry out quarterly, half-yearly or annual staff performance reviews where salary can be brought up. Bringing up salary issues at a time where your boss is extremely busy or in a foul mood is also not going to improve your chances of a higher salary at all. Know what time of the day is best to approach your boss and try to schedule your reviews with him or her at such times. Excellent supporting evidence to bring up during a request on salary increments is any significant projects you have completed which have been recognized by a superior for its superior quality.
Know what you’re worth. This is crucial to ensure that you don’t end up demanding a new salary figure that is unreasonable for your position and type of work. There are many ways you can go about obtaining a realistic idea of what you’re really worth. There are numerous online resources available these days which can give you detailed information on industry averages for people in your profession. To get an even better perspective, talk to other peers within your field and see what they have to say about your current earnings and the figure you’re about to propose to your employer. If you have a mentor, his or her opinion would be invaluable for situations such as this.
Be respectful. Although it’s true that you should not settle too easily for whatever your boss offers you, you should remember to remain polite and tactful at all times. Whilst in the midst of a tough negotiation, show by the tone of your voice and your actions that you still respect the authority of your employer. Even if you may not agree with the final decision that your superior arrives at, don’t forget to thank them for the time they allocated to converse with you and the consideration he or she gave to your proposition.
Undeniably, salary negotiation is not an easy task, but it’s one that can be done gracefully and successfully. You may not always get what you want; but then again, you’ll never know if you don’t give it a try.
What’s your take on salary negotiation? Have you any tales of overwhelming success or utter defeat? Share them all – there’s always something others could learn from your experience.
Read more
But don’t sink into despair just yet.
There is always room for negotiation with your employer if you’re dissatisfied with what you’re earning. The trick is to approach the subject matter with the right tactics and with the right attitude.
Work out the whys. Think through the reasons why you should be given increment in your salary amount. Jot them down if you have to, and have solid facts to support your premise. It’s important that you’re clear on how you will justify your request for a raise as you’ll need to successfully convince your boss that you really do deserve it.
Keep detailed records. It is a good practice to keep a brief journal of your ongoing work accomplishments over time. This will help you in your goal to gain that salary increment which you’re hoping for, as it provides evidence that you are asking for something that you have rightfully earned.
Offer to do more. One surefire way to increase your chances of getting yourself a better salary is to take on more than is stated in your current job scope. Not only does this help widen your range of capabilities and expand your career, it also shows your employer that you are worth a lot – and that could mean possibly more than you’re currently being paid. It’s a classic case of show and tell – in other words, proving your worth by actions rather than just trying to convince your boss by mere words.
Wait for the right time. As with most things in life, timing is everything. Usually, most companies carry out quarterly, half-yearly or annual staff performance reviews where salary can be brought up. Bringing up salary issues at a time where your boss is extremely busy or in a foul mood is also not going to improve your chances of a higher salary at all. Know what time of the day is best to approach your boss and try to schedule your reviews with him or her at such times. Excellent supporting evidence to bring up during a request on salary increments is any significant projects you have completed which have been recognized by a superior for its superior quality.
Know what you’re worth. This is crucial to ensure that you don’t end up demanding a new salary figure that is unreasonable for your position and type of work. There are many ways you can go about obtaining a realistic idea of what you’re really worth. There are numerous online resources available these days which can give you detailed information on industry averages for people in your profession. To get an even better perspective, talk to other peers within your field and see what they have to say about your current earnings and the figure you’re about to propose to your employer. If you have a mentor, his or her opinion would be invaluable for situations such as this.
Be respectful. Although it’s true that you should not settle too easily for whatever your boss offers you, you should remember to remain polite and tactful at all times. Whilst in the midst of a tough negotiation, show by the tone of your voice and your actions that you still respect the authority of your employer. Even if you may not agree with the final decision that your superior arrives at, don’t forget to thank them for the time they allocated to converse with you and the consideration he or she gave to your proposition.
Undeniably, salary negotiation is not an easy task, but it’s one that can be done gracefully and successfully. You may not always get what you want; but then again, you’ll never know if you don’t give it a try.
What’s your take on salary negotiation? Have you any tales of overwhelming success or utter defeat? Share them all – there’s always something others could learn from your experience.
Labels:
at work,
economy,
employer-employee relations,
experience,
industry,
motivation,
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salary
Sticky about salary - Part 1
Perhaps you’ve been casting that murderous sideways glare at your boss after having had yet another unsuccessful negotiation over your proposal for an increase in your current salary. With countless poisonous thoughts brewing in your head, you are now plotting with a vengeance the best way to assassinate your heartless superior.
But before you commit the ultimate crime of your life, stop for a moment and consider the possibility that your manager isn’t really the mean machine you think he or she is. In fact, he or she may have perfectly good reasons why he or she just can’t grant you that raise you’ve always wanted.
There are so many factors that influence the figure which appears on your payslip every month. Some of them can be considered common knowledge (such as the present financial performance of the organisation you work for), but there may be several other contributing determinants that you have overlooked. Here are some of them.
Market forces. As with all other things in a free economy, competition really complicates things. Most companies nowadays are forced to comply with the prevailing rate that is practised in the market in order to entice workers to apply for a particular position. Furthermore, if your industry happens to be one of those that is heavily regulated by the government, employers will not have much say when it comes to the amount you get paid as they would need to comply with local laws and regulations imposed on them.
On-the-job responsibilities. This is one of the principal influences which impacts your salary figure. Quite obviously, the more responsibilities you bear, the more money you will receive in your bank account every month. Besides that, if specific skills or experience is required for your work, it may earn you higher remuneration. Jobs that involve a high level of risk also typically promise higher pay.
Experience and education. Paper qualifications might get you the interview and subsequently the job, but relevant experience and job skills will ensure that your salary keeps increasing. However, don’t forget that this has to be matched up with consistent and satisfactory performance at work, in addition to increasing efficiency, and more skills and knowledge.
Rising costs of living. It really isn’t your employer’s fault whenever the economy decides to go on a slump. So, it’s not reasonable to expect that there will be adjustments in your salary to accommodate these increasing living costs. In certain cases, there may be changes made to your payslip, but don’t always expect it. The presence of a trade union within your industry might bring you hope by enforcing this on employers, but most solo efforts by employees usually prove futile.
All in all, it’s only fair to say in your employer’s defense that not everything is within his or her control when it comes to deciding on how much compensation should be given to you. Therefore, I hope you can now see that there is more to your salary determination than you realise. So think twice about stabbing your boss in the chest.
If you think you can get more pay by leaving your job and joining another company, the same principles apply. You need to justify a pay increase from your current one.
Are you facing a frustrating salary predicament? Could it be due to any of these factors I’ve mentioned? Or is it for another reason that’s not listed above? Tell your story – drop me a comment.
Read more
But before you commit the ultimate crime of your life, stop for a moment and consider the possibility that your manager isn’t really the mean machine you think he or she is. In fact, he or she may have perfectly good reasons why he or she just can’t grant you that raise you’ve always wanted.
There are so many factors that influence the figure which appears on your payslip every month. Some of them can be considered common knowledge (such as the present financial performance of the organisation you work for), but there may be several other contributing determinants that you have overlooked. Here are some of them.
Market forces. As with all other things in a free economy, competition really complicates things. Most companies nowadays are forced to comply with the prevailing rate that is practised in the market in order to entice workers to apply for a particular position. Furthermore, if your industry happens to be one of those that is heavily regulated by the government, employers will not have much say when it comes to the amount you get paid as they would need to comply with local laws and regulations imposed on them.
On-the-job responsibilities. This is one of the principal influences which impacts your salary figure. Quite obviously, the more responsibilities you bear, the more money you will receive in your bank account every month. Besides that, if specific skills or experience is required for your work, it may earn you higher remuneration. Jobs that involve a high level of risk also typically promise higher pay.
Experience and education. Paper qualifications might get you the interview and subsequently the job, but relevant experience and job skills will ensure that your salary keeps increasing. However, don’t forget that this has to be matched up with consistent and satisfactory performance at work, in addition to increasing efficiency, and more skills and knowledge.
Rising costs of living. It really isn’t your employer’s fault whenever the economy decides to go on a slump. So, it’s not reasonable to expect that there will be adjustments in your salary to accommodate these increasing living costs. In certain cases, there may be changes made to your payslip, but don’t always expect it. The presence of a trade union within your industry might bring you hope by enforcing this on employers, but most solo efforts by employees usually prove futile.
All in all, it’s only fair to say in your employer’s defense that not everything is within his or her control when it comes to deciding on how much compensation should be given to you. Therefore, I hope you can now see that there is more to your salary determination than you realise. So think twice about stabbing your boss in the chest.
If you think you can get more pay by leaving your job and joining another company, the same principles apply. You need to justify a pay increase from your current one.
Are you facing a frustrating salary predicament? Could it be due to any of these factors I’ve mentioned? Or is it for another reason that’s not listed above? Tell your story – drop me a comment.
Labels:
at work,
economy,
employer-employee relations,
experience,
industry,
motivation,
perspective,
salary
The fine art of inquiry
So you’ve made it through thus far.
Your resume sparkled amongst the huge pile of several dozen applications, and you became one of the selected few who were shortlisted to attend an interview. After much research and preparation and anxiety, here you are, seated before a terribly intimidating lady from Human Resources who has spent the last twenty minutes or so firing all sorts of peculiar questions at you.
But it’s your turn now. She is looks you in the eyeball with a rather menacing stare and says, “So, is there anything you’d like to ask?”
What will your response be?
Here’s your big chance to bring out all those burning questions you have at the back of your mind about the company or the position you have applied for. But be careful – although you now have the liberty to say whatever you wish, there are certain things you should bear in mind.
Prepare beforehand. Instead of randomly voicing out whatever questions come to mind at the time of the interview, it is much better if you had prepared earlier and had come to the interview with some basic outline of what you’d want to ask. This will help prevent you from asking ridiculous or redundant questions regarding matters that were already addressed on the company’s website or in the job advertisement.
Leave a good impression. Remember, the interview is not over yet. So whatever you say at this point still may be used to evaluate your suitability for the job. Your potential employer could be taking note of your questions and using them to make a judgment about what your priorities are or whether you have a realistic view about the job and the organisation in general.
Prioritise your questions. Perhaps you’ve got 20 things you’d like to ask your potential employer. However, time may not permit you to ask them all. Hence, you should rank them in order of importance prior to the interview according to what is crucial to your understanding about the job, and therefore, should be asked first. In case time runs out, at least you would have gained useful knowledge that will help you decide on whether the job is right for you, should an offer be extended to you.
Phrase questions well. Questions that are well worded are those that are open ended and cannot be simply answered by a mere “yes” or “no”. You may want to look into the behavioural aspects of the firm, such as what they had done or something that happened in the past. Hypothetical questions (i.e. those “What if..?” speculations) are the least useful and should be avoided.
Here are some areas you may want to ask (assuming they had not been brought up earlier):
Nature of the job. Some of this information may have already been covered in the earlier sections of your interview. If so, then your questions should only be focussed on any parts that may have been omitted. Ask about the typical working hours, on whether overtime or relocation is necessary for this job, how your performance would be measured and any other related matters that come to mind. Examples of questions you could ask are “How will my responsibilities and performance be measured and by whom?” or “What are the day-to-day responsibilities that this job entails?” or “Who will I be reporting to?”
Future plans of the company. Assuming you are given the job, the nature of your work would be geared towards fulfilling the enterprise’s aspirations for the future. Therefore, you should make sure you understand what the company’s long term goals are. An example of a good way to ask this would be “What is the organization’s plan for the next five years?”
Function of the department. Your job scope will be significantly affected by what function is carried out by the department you report to. Hence, you need to have a good grasp on what they do, and how this fits in with the company’s operations as a whole. Sample questions you could voice out are “How does upper management view this role and the importance of this department?” or “How many people work in this department?” or “Which other departments does this department have to liaise with on a daily basis?”
Career development opportunities. You should be able to clearly see a future for yourself in the corporation that you choose to work for. Thus, you should inquire about how the firm helps its employees in planning and achieving their career development. For instance, you could say, “What are the prospects for growth and advancement in this company?” or “What is the company’s policy on providing training to continuously upgrade employees’ skills?” or “How much guidance or assistance is provided in helping employees achieve their career goals?”.
Each job will have its own unique characteristics, so make sure you ask enough questions to gain a good understanding on what would be required of you. Make the most out of this opening to pose questions to the company – the information you obtain may prove to be invaluable.
What are your experiences in asking questions during the interviews you have previously attended? Did you manage to find out the things you wanted to know? What was the response given to you from your potential employer? Did they openly share about the matters you raised or were they guarded when providing their answers? Feel free to share about it here.
Your resume sparkled amongst the huge pile of several dozen applications, and you became one of the selected few who were shortlisted to attend an interview. After much research and preparation and anxiety, here you are, seated before a terribly intimidating lady from Human Resources who has spent the last twenty minutes or so firing all sorts of peculiar questions at you.
But it’s your turn now. She is looks you in the eyeball with a rather menacing stare and says, “So, is there anything you’d like to ask?”
What will your response be?
Here’s your big chance to bring out all those burning questions you have at the back of your mind about the company or the position you have applied for. But be careful – although you now have the liberty to say whatever you wish, there are certain things you should bear in mind.
Prepare beforehand. Instead of randomly voicing out whatever questions come to mind at the time of the interview, it is much better if you had prepared earlier and had come to the interview with some basic outline of what you’d want to ask. This will help prevent you from asking ridiculous or redundant questions regarding matters that were already addressed on the company’s website or in the job advertisement.
Leave a good impression. Remember, the interview is not over yet. So whatever you say at this point still may be used to evaluate your suitability for the job. Your potential employer could be taking note of your questions and using them to make a judgment about what your priorities are or whether you have a realistic view about the job and the organisation in general.
Prioritise your questions. Perhaps you’ve got 20 things you’d like to ask your potential employer. However, time may not permit you to ask them all. Hence, you should rank them in order of importance prior to the interview according to what is crucial to your understanding about the job, and therefore, should be asked first. In case time runs out, at least you would have gained useful knowledge that will help you decide on whether the job is right for you, should an offer be extended to you.
Phrase questions well. Questions that are well worded are those that are open ended and cannot be simply answered by a mere “yes” or “no”. You may want to look into the behavioural aspects of the firm, such as what they had done or something that happened in the past. Hypothetical questions (i.e. those “What if..?” speculations) are the least useful and should be avoided.
Here are some areas you may want to ask (assuming they had not been brought up earlier):
Nature of the job. Some of this information may have already been covered in the earlier sections of your interview. If so, then your questions should only be focussed on any parts that may have been omitted. Ask about the typical working hours, on whether overtime or relocation is necessary for this job, how your performance would be measured and any other related matters that come to mind. Examples of questions you could ask are “How will my responsibilities and performance be measured and by whom?” or “What are the day-to-day responsibilities that this job entails?” or “Who will I be reporting to?”
Future plans of the company. Assuming you are given the job, the nature of your work would be geared towards fulfilling the enterprise’s aspirations for the future. Therefore, you should make sure you understand what the company’s long term goals are. An example of a good way to ask this would be “What is the organization’s plan for the next five years?”
Function of the department. Your job scope will be significantly affected by what function is carried out by the department you report to. Hence, you need to have a good grasp on what they do, and how this fits in with the company’s operations as a whole. Sample questions you could voice out are “How does upper management view this role and the importance of this department?” or “How many people work in this department?” or “Which other departments does this department have to liaise with on a daily basis?”
Career development opportunities. You should be able to clearly see a future for yourself in the corporation that you choose to work for. Thus, you should inquire about how the firm helps its employees in planning and achieving their career development. For instance, you could say, “What are the prospects for growth and advancement in this company?” or “What is the company’s policy on providing training to continuously upgrade employees’ skills?” or “How much guidance or assistance is provided in helping employees achieve their career goals?”.
Each job will have its own unique characteristics, so make sure you ask enough questions to gain a good understanding on what would be required of you. Make the most out of this opening to pose questions to the company – the information you obtain may prove to be invaluable.
What are your experiences in asking questions during the interviews you have previously attended? Did you manage to find out the things you wanted to know? What was the response given to you from your potential employer? Did they openly share about the matters you raised or were they guarded when providing their answers? Feel free to share about it here.
Labels:
behaviour,
etiquette,
experience,
interviews,
preparation,
questions,
speech,
thought process
