Employment Advice

Valuing your time and your skills

When you come to the question about salary expectation, on a job application, do you ponder over the question? You think asking too much scares them off and too little undervalues your skills. Are you hoping there is a magic number that satisfies your financial needs and an employer’s budget?

Microsoft Clip Art

If a magic number exists, it will be found in the employer’s budget. As a potential employee it is unlikely you are privy to that number. So what can you do to help you decide? Research is your best option. Researching the job title through job bank websites and companies that employ the type of job you are considering are a great start.

Research

It is a good idea to research the jobs you are applying for; duties, qualifications, education, and entry level salary and salary potential. The best place to start in Canada is at their website hrsdc.gc.ca. They also have a few tools that will help you identify funding opportunities or programs specific to your current situation.

Monster.com and Workopolis produce a wealth of information that will be useful for your research. It is just a matter of navigating your way around the website. If you are concerned about spam or spyware it might be a good idea to produce an email for the purpose of setting up website accounts.

Call a company or organization that employs the kind of job you want, if possible, talk to the person who holds that title. People feel uncomfortable talking financials, especially over the phone. Therefore, you will get a better response if you ask, what they would put in the salary expectation’s box, if they were just starting out. Asking an immediate supervisor may also provide some insight into salary expectations.

Other Factors

Putting a dollar figure on your set of skills is not just about education and/or experience although both play an important part. You need to consider the consequences if your number is too low or too high.

Too Low

Devaluing or discounting your services can imply that your work is not up to par. You would wonder what was wrong with a Rolodex if it was being sold for $20.00. Your work may be viewed as a knock off. Determining your worth is a time for soul searching. If your work is a Rolodex then you need to charge Rolodex prices. However, if Timex is more your speed it will be lost on your discounted price.

Too High

Pricing to high you run the risk of scaring off potential employers. There is also an expectation when pricing high, our watch analogy will suffice, imagine paying for a Rolodex and receiving a Timex. The Timex works great but its’ not a Rolodex.

Writing “negotiable” on the application is a good idea, however, going into the job interview you should have a starting number in mind. Determining a dollar value for your skills set is determined through your level of experience, education and specialization. Researching websites like Canada’s HRSDC and Monster.com are a great place to start. If you price too low you run the risk of undervaluing your work and pricing too high may put unwarranted expectations on the job.

Be sure to always value yourself and others will follow suit. Happy job hunting!

So you made it to the interview, now what?

Now that you have an interview for the career of your dreams, what next? In this article we discuss what to do when you’re in the interview. Dressing to fit your career, the use of double negatives and negativity, discussing when you have come up short (hey you are only human) are important to remember when you are interacting with a potential employer.

Dress for your dream job

If your career job is a financier then dress for a finance office. If its’ a chef’s then dress for a kitchen. You want your employer to see you in your career. Dressing the part will help you to accomplish that goal. With that being said, it does not mean you wear your chef’s hat and apron.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 

Never say anything negative, better yet always be positive

This section is two-fold, first, the use of double negatives is noticeable. Stay away from slang too. Second, when speaking of past jobs, bosses, or co-workers put a positive or neutral spin on your version of the events or situation.

If you are required to discuss someone with whom you did not work well, describe it as creative differences or a personality clash, most people can relate and it shows your loyalty.

Coming up short can be a positive thing

In a like vein as the previous, negative talk brings people down and makes you look petty even when you’re speaking about yourself. Sometimes an employer wants to see how you handle negativity and will ask you to discuss your limitations.

Think of traits that can be seen as both negative and positive depending on the situation. For example, flexibility in an adult education instructor can be both a negative and positive trait depending on the situation. You could also try using examples of a negative trait in a non-job related context and then using positive traits in only a job related contexts.

The interview is a great opportunity for you and your employer to get to know each other. You should also take the time to determine if you want the position. The interview is not so much about your qualifications as it is about determining if you can fit in with the people already there. It’s a good idea when doing your research to also consider the culture of the organization. Remember if you did not get the job, honestly, you probably would not have been happy there anyway.

5 Networking ideas that just might work 

If you picture smart looking people, in their smart looking suits, with their smart briefcases and their smart business cards, then you may find networking a little intimidating. Networking does not have to be intimidating. In fact, networking can be a fun and rewarding experience. 

thefreesite.com

John E. Kobara, professional blogger, Adopting the Mentoring and Networking Lifestyle suggests that when you network you prepare to reciprocate their generosity, ask questions or advice instead of a job and that you think of networking as building relationships.

Here are five (5) networking ideas that just might work and are not as intimidating;

1. Volunteer your time. Almost every profession has conferences, workshop, training sessions for your field or at job fairs; they almost always need note takers or timers for the workshops. While you`re volunteering you will inevitably interact with people. As a bonus they have an opportunity to see you in action, or see your attitude about doing a job that others may deem too tedious.

2. Be a consultant or a freelancer. While unemployed you could have business cards made up with your number and your profession as a consultant. It may lead to short-term contract but you can hand your card out without having to be witty and interesting at any given time.

3. Host your own workshops. You could facilitate a class once a week sharing with others what you have learned or what you know. The idea here is, attendees talk to people they know about you and how much they are learning from you.

4. Audit a course within your field at the local college. Others in your field are sure to be attending through their own businesses. You will be required to work in groups and do projects together.

5. Attend lifestyle classes. Professionals like to relax from a hectic week of work, and since most professionals are of the type A persuasion, sleeping all day is not an option. They attend bread making, cooking, fitness classes to help blow off steam.

Networking is about building lasting relationships and reciprocity. Do not bombard your contacts with requests to find you a job, instead ask questions and listen for their advice. Remember while you are networking be creative and remember a `watched pot never boils` meaning get on with your life, continue to find ways to be productive through workshops, classes and conferences.

Going back to work does not have to be overwhelming

Microsoft's Clip Art

Regardless of the reason for an extended absenteeism from the work force we sometimes suffer from insecurities. Depending on the degree to which we suffer will depend upon a reliable support system, our ability to increase our confidence and our willingness to learn.

Support System

A support team will comprise of both objective and subjective voices. The objective voices are your career counselor or coach, a truthful friend, and/or a guidance counselor depending on the route you take. Your subjective voices should be people who encourage you, who see only your good qualities, and has no issue with telling you little white lies, “You look super skinny in those pants!!” Your support team should never under any circumstances include negative, overly critical people.

Increasing our Confidence

We live in high tech times. You buy a software program and by the time you get it home and uploaded onto your computer, it needs to be updated. Going back to work means competing for jobs with younger people not to mention working for younger people. All this can make us feel a little out of sorts, and dare I say, insecure. “Fake it, till you make it” as they say, ask your support team to discuss your strengths with you, and brainstorm ideas on how to improve areas of concern.

Willingness to Learn

We are often a product of our own time. If you’re older, your time probably didn't include pc’s, laptops, tablets, internet, 'i'stuff, or such. Kids nowadays are often predisposed to new technology. They will have a brand new smartphone programmed within minutes.

If you can remember a time without Apple or Microsoft then you probably have some difficulty with new technology. But having difficulty learning new stuff doesn't mean incapable of learning, therefore, getting back into the workforce means a willingness to learn.

Going back to work takes courage, commitment and a desire to want more. Use your support team to help you increase your confidence to be open to new ideas and ways of getting the job done. Going to back to work is like riding a bicycle after a long time of not riding. Fun scary until you get the hang of it again.

How career counselors and career coaches are the same but different

Back in the ‘good ol’ days’, with red pen in hand you grabbed the classified section of the daily news and circled all possible job leads. You then, ‘pound the pavement’ to work in ridiculous work conditions with very little pay.

Thankfully those days are long behind us. Nowadays, we have career counselors and career coaches to help make that transition from unemployment to employment or from one job into another.

The counselor and the coach’s responsibilities are similar in the areas of networking, education and training options, job search techniques and intelligent self-marketing. It is through this process you decide what you want and how to get there. Counselor and coach are often used interchangeably, however, there is a distinct difference between the two professions.

The counselor administers psychological, aptitude, interest and other personal assessment tools to help you determine what career path might be more suitable to your personality. Therefore, a background in psychology is often required. Making the difference between a counselor and a coach about $100/hour.

If you decide to hire a career consultant either as a counselor or a coach it’s a good idea to ensure he/she is the right fit for you. He/she should understand your needs, both personal and financial.

If you know what you want and need some help on how to get there, a coach will more than fit the bill. However, if your undecided where to go next then a full-fledged counselor will be just the ticket. Either way if you have the means a counselor or a coach is an excellent investment in yourself.

Three 'must haves' in your employment action plan

Photo by Me - Erica

Whether you’re in a dead end job, recently laid off, unemployed for a while, or ready for a new beginning it is important to have a plan of action. Your action plan should have reasonable timelines, clear objectives and flexibility.

Developing your action plan with or without a professional will help you to stay motivated. If you decide to see a career counselor or an employment counselor having an action plan shows you are committed. Committed people get funding, funding agencies like Employment Ontario can see you are invested and helps them to invest in you too.

Reasonable Timelines

Trying to complete too many tasks in a day could result in half-finished or unfinished work. Conversely, when we complete a task we create a sense of accomplishment, which makes us feel good about ourselves. Deciding your future is no small affair, therefore you must commit a great deal of time and consideration to your plan.

Clear Objectives

An action plan is just that, action. Identifying areas of strength and opportunities for improvements help you decide how to prioritize your objectives. Detailed and accurate research about you, such as training needs and where to complete it, will be required before applying for jobs. The objectives should identify what actions need to be completed and when, thereby giving you an opportunity to see your own success.

Flexibility

All plans need a contingency. While in your training you may come across some information that makes you rethink your priorities. Halfway through your plan of action, while taking a course you realize you would rather go into business for yourself.

Self-employment is a different plan of action. Therefore, your action plan should have the ability to change with you, and give you room to move. You won’t need to abandon your action plan, just modify it. Thereby giving you room to move.

Regardless of your reasons for starting a new job, your action plan will help you to stay motivated and on target. By developing a comprehensive action plan with reasonable timelines, clear objectives and room to move you are minimizing the stress of finding a new job and maximizing your chances of finding the job of your dreams. Good Luck!