An upbeat job Search:
Searching for a job can be a real energy sapping experience especially if you are jobless and the news repeatedly unfavourable. A very common reaction is to let your spirits sag and lose focus of what needs to be done.
Here are a few tips that will help to lift your spirits while you continue with the job search.
Salary Negotiation Tips:
After having done all the hard work during the job interview, you need to ensure that you bargain well for the product that you have come to sell: yourself. However, you need to be careful that the negotiation is carried out in a tactful manner so that your confidence in your abilities is not perceived as arrogance. Here are some tips:
The job interview is an exercise designed to match the right candidate with the job.
Therefore it is only natural that while preparing for an interview most candidates tend to focus on coming up with ‘right’ answer to a variety of questions. What they tend to forget is that these days most employers provide an opportunity to potential employees to ask question as well. For interviewers a candidate with no questions is deemed to possess on independent thought process.
Here are some insightful questions that a candidate should ask during an interview:
Adjusting to a New Job:
For many of us, a new job often means new challenges. For the rest of us, it means goose bumps – the kind we had when we switched schools when we were younger. Although patience, attention and caution will get you through the probation period easily, the key to success is that you not only adjust to your new job, but make the most of it.
Here are a few tips:
Searching for a job can be a real energy sapping experience especially if you are jobless and the news repeatedly unfavourable. A very common reaction is to let your spirits sag and lose focus of what needs to be done.
Here are a few tips that will help to lift your spirits while you continue with the job search.
- Positive environment. Ensure that you are constantly surrounded by positive vibes, especially when it comes to people you associate with. Try to read books and watch TV shows that are uplifting rather than gloomy or depressing. Avoid negativity.
- Self-talk. Reframe negative thoughts like “The company didn’t hire me because I am less competent” with “The position did not match my profile”. Use positive phrases like “I am confident to get the job suiting my strengths” or “This too shall pass like before”. Repetition with belief is key.
- Stay busy. An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. Keep yourself occupied. Network, read books or articles on self-development, do apprenticeships/internships, attend seminars/workshops, etc.
- Visualise. Keep rahearsing the interviews with different perspectives and difficult situations. Play “What-If” games through the interviewer’s eyes, repeatedly seeing yourself as the winner.
- Numbers game. Think of giving interviews like selling a product, only it is YOU that you are selling. An interview like sales is a numbers game. With each NO, you get closer to a YES!
- Physical needs. Ensure your body gets proper rest and diet. At least seven hours of sleep and a healthy diet should be maintained especially before interviews.
- Stress. Counter it through positive self-talk, hobbies, physical fitness, etc. Having a physical and emotoinal outlet is healthy.
- Read the Signs. Maybe life is giving you the opportunity to do something completely different. Explore other career options.
Salary Negotiation Tips:
After having done all the hard work during the job interview, you need to ensure that you bargain well for the product that you have come to sell: yourself. However, you need to be careful that the negotiation is carried out in a tactful manner so that your confidence in your abilities is not perceived as arrogance. Here are some tips:
- Timing. Keep the salary negotiation for the end, even if the interviewer repeatedly asks the question or makes an offer during the middle of the interview in a bid to settle on a lower figure.
- Sales bid. Keep selling your tangible Unique Selling Point (USP), so that you can then relate it to your eventual salary demand.
- Salary range. When asked about salary expectations, ask what the range is; this will tell you whether your demand is within acceptable limits. The standard practice is to seek 40% over and above what you are presently earning. This could vary subject to industry, function and position. Try agreeing on the basic salary first before discussing perks and other non-monetary benefits.
- Benefits. Obtain as many details as you can about the benefits. If you are forced to settle for a lower salary, these benefits can be used to compensate for the gap.
- Tact. Aim to achieve a solution that suits both parties. In case of an unacceptable offer, decline politely in order to maintain a good rapport with the interviewer.
- Be flexible. Although money is vital, character is more significant. By appearing to be fixated on money, you may appear stubborn or too materialistic.
- Don’t rush. Delay the decision for at least 48 hours to consult with experts, seniors, family members and a mentor.
The job interview is an exercise designed to match the right candidate with the job.
Therefore it is only natural that while preparing for an interview most candidates tend to focus on coming up with ‘right’ answer to a variety of questions. What they tend to forget is that these days most employers provide an opportunity to potential employees to ask question as well. For interviewers a candidate with no questions is deemed to possess on independent thought process.
Here are some insightful questions that a candidate should ask during an interview:
- How does the management view the role and importance of this department and this position?
- What are the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job?
- What is the most important thing I should do during the first 90 days of my employment that will help me understand the work and the organisation?
- What is the company’s policy on seminars, workshops and training to enable employees to improve their skills and acquire new ones?
- How much opportunity will I get to see the end result of my efforts?
- How much opportunity will I have for decision-making?
- What steps has the organisation taken recently to show that it values its employees?
- Are there any specific criteria upon with I would be evaluated? And how frequently is formal and informal review completed for new employees?
Adjusting to a New Job:
For many of us, a new job often means new challenges. For the rest of us, it means goose bumps – the kind we had when we switched schools when we were younger. Although patience, attention and caution will get you through the probation period easily, the key to success is that you not only adjust to your new job, but make the most of it.
Here are a few tips:
- Familiarise quickly. Get to know your new surroundings. find out the location of the bathrooms, prayer area, fire exists, smoking area, cafeteria, printer and photocopy machines. Also learn to remember your employee ID, your parking slot and any passwords as quickly as possible.
- Listen carefully. the most important thing to do at your new job is to listen to everything and remember it. the initial instructions are mostly about your job responsibilities and the do’s and don’ts as an employee.
- Ask to learn. The best way to get through rules and regulations, policies and procedures is to ask questions at the appropriate time. Whether it is sending across an email or taking a long lunch break, don’t hesitate to question. lack o information may easily lad you in trouble.
- Participate by invitation only. Whether it’s a meeting, a brain-storming session or a discussion, get involved (not un-invited through!). It will give you an excellent opportunity to learn about your new colleagues and about how to deal with them. make some creful suggestions only when your opinion is sought.
- Socialise moderately. Do get to know your boss and colleagues. Introduce yourself and learn their names. Find out what their jobs and responsibilities are. It will ease out with your colleagues with no trouble. Do remember that every job requires a period of adjustment, so be patient.