How to Answer Salary Questions in Your Interview

How to Answer Salary Questions in Your Interview One question that often makes people feel uncomfortable at interview is ‘what salary are you looking for?’…or something along those lines. I personally feel ok talking about money and I think it’s fine to state your expectations clearly and confidently. Most people shy away from talking money However, I’ve been in this game long enough to know that the majority of job seekers don’t like to discuss this at interview. They don’t want to be the first person to mention a figure. If it’s too low, they may miss out financially. If it’s too high, they could miss out on a job offer. If a recruitment consultant asks you this, then I would advise you be as open as possible. They will give you advice on the market rate for your skills and will often do the negotiating for you when you get offered a role. They need to know where your expectations are, so not to waste your time with lower paid jobs in the future. How to deflect the salary question If the employer in the interview asks you this and you really don’t want to answer it just yet, then here are a few ways you can deflect the questions. ‘I’m quite open and slightly flexible on salary as the opportunity to add value and to be valued is important to me. I’d appreciate knowing how you value this position and what your budget is for this role?’ The way you say this is very important. Say it with a smile on your face and raise your voice at the end of the sentence, so it seems like a question. Or just bat it straight back… ‘I’d rather not commit to that quite yet. I’m really open to your thoughts on this as I’m sure you will be consistent with the market?’ Then pause. Just stop talking. By silencing yourself quite abruptly, you are forcing the other person to talk and it shows you are in control. Again, you must do this in a very ‘upbeat’ way.  We don’t want you to become defensive as this can sometimes come across as aggressive… not a good look! Smile and nod while you ask it. By nodding you are assuming the answer you want is coming back to you and increasing the chance of the other person giving you what you want. Practice it in other conversations and you will see what I mean and how well it works. Practice makes perfect I’m not talking about ‘jedi mind tricks’, but there are lots of NLP books that talk about your body language during negotiations. I would check them out if you are unsure. At some point you are going to need to discuss salary (unless there is a recruiter involved) and I would recommend practicing these answers. Say them out loud in the mirror, while you are washing the dishes or driving. The more comfortable you are when you get asked this, the less likely you are to be conditioned by the interviewer. Related: How to Prepare for Your Salary Negotiation [6 Clever Ideas].

How to Write Resumes For Job Hunting

How to Write Resumes For Job HuntingWriting resumes for job hunting is not as easy as you may think. Of course, you can always get some help from outside sources, but how do you do it right? How do you become the best resume writer? I'd like to share some information about how I approach the job of writing resumes for job hunting.The first step in how to write resumes for job hunting is deciding what kind of resume you need. How many applicants is the company looking for? What are the qualifications of the candidate they are trying to hire? Do they have a particular skill that will be highly in demand?Once you know what type of resume you're writing for your client needs, the next step is to organize the information into easy to read blocks. No matter what kind of company or job position you're in, there will be a lot of information in those blocks. As much as possible, get the key points of the summary or bullet points in one or two lines, so that you can easily summarize them in yo ur resume.Next, you want to make sure that the information is organized, and make sure that your resume is easy to read and understand. You might want to take a small break for yourself, and look at some other resumes on your computer screen while you're writing your own.A quick note: Always make sure to start off each block with your name, title, and name of the company in bold. This will make sure that readers remember who you are and what you do. You also want to make sure that you make use of bullets or sub-bullets to further highlight the specific skills that you are looking for.Writing resumes for job hunting, whether you are in the medical field or a technical writer, is an art form. You have to choose your words carefully and use the proper format so that you come across as professional looking.As I mentioned earlier, you do not want to follow any one specific format for your resume. Your resume should be unique, and that's why different professionals will have different app roaches. Find one that works for you and write your resume accordingly.If you are a medical or technical writer, you might want to consider what kind of industry you will be dealing with and research the candidate using a database, or through online sources like LinkedIn or the Internet. This will make it much easier for you to start researching, which will allow you to create a more comprehensive resume, without wasting any time on research.

Can Millennials and Baby Boomers Make a Great Work Team -

Can Millennials and Baby Boomers Make a Great Work Team - The majority of major companies in the US are a blend of millennials and baby boomers. They are equally good at their jobs but in terms of sociability and work goals, there are glaring disparities. The different communication styles these generations can be a real asset to a company. There is no need to think of it as millennials vs baby boomers in the workplace, and heres why. What Exactly are Baby Boomers and Millennials? A baby boomer was born in the first 2 decades following WWII; 1945-64. There are around 76m baby boomers in the US. They were the main go-getters in the period between the 1960s to the 1980s, think Gordon Gecko, when the US saw a huge business growth. A millennial was born between 1980-1994. Way more were able to get a college education and they are making their mark in the 21st century. They are effectively a generation apart. Stereotypes Many baby boomers view millennials as hotshots who are way too big for their Gucci boots. They also seem to have selective memory loss as they dont recall how ambitious they were back in the ‘80s. Likewise, the millennials look at the older workers as has-beens but ignore the fact that these baby boomers had successful careers before they were even born. Anyone who has ever lost their temper with their child for thinking they know it all will sympathize with a baby boomer, whereas a kid who feels a parent doesnt take them seriously will know where a millennial is coming from. Core Strengths These are the key to baby boomers and millennials combining to create a force to be reckoned with in the workplace. The biggest asset of the boomers is experience. They have been learning for decades and their brains have moved with the times and are wired for success. With this kind of experience comes wisdom, gleaned both from the workplace and life. They may not be wonderful with technology but will get how it works. They want a better world for their kids and grandchildren and want to feel that they are still needed to pass on what they have learned. The core strength of a millennial is their potential. Yes they are tech-savvy, yes they have the benefits of a college education but they are lacking in the experience department. They may come across as arrogant but underneath that bravado, they know they still have a lot to learn and are willing to put in the time needed to be a success. Oil and Water or Match Made in Heaven? To create a healthy and productive work environment you dont need to be best friends, you just need mutual respect. This is where so many companies go wrong as they try to force friendships across the generations that are oftentimes impossible to implement. You may all meet for a drink after work, you may not. A social group ranging in age from 30 to 65 is hard to find, but a work team with all that energy, experience and dynamics is something that should be nurtured and cherished.

4 Ways to Staying Happy at Work

4 Ways to Staying Happy at Work We spend so much time in the workplace that our happiness and well-being can be hugely affected. Take a look at these 4 tips for staying happy at work and check to see if there might be some improvements you can make to your daily routine. Do you have any others? Let us know in the comments below! 1) Keep personal issues to yourself: We’ve all been there something big is happening in your personal life and it’s threatening to overwhelm just about everything else that’s going on, including work. If you’re facing an emergency then take steps to try and resolve it, particularly if it involves children, close friends or family. However, if whatever is going on doesn’t fall into the ‘emergency’ category then try to leave it at the door when you arrive in the mornings and pick it up when you leave. This will actually have a doubly positive effect â€" firstly, it will ensure that your personal issues do not end up preventing you from being productive in the workplace and, secondly, it will give you a break from thinking about them so that when you are finished at the end of the day you might have actually been able to gain some perspective. In the same way as you need to avoid taking work stress home with you, leave your personal issues for non-work time. 2) Stay healthy and hydrated: It’s amazing the difference that what we put in to our bodies can make to the way that we function in the workplace. It can influence everything from concentration levels to stamina and attitude. Refined sugar heavy carbohydrates can leave you feeling exhausted and strung out with barely enough attention span to write an email. Although it can be difficult to create the diet you want when you’re not at home, try to incorporate wholefoods, plenty of vegetables, lean meat and fish, as well as fruit and lots and lots of water. Watch your caffeine intake too â€" if you’re a real caffeine fiend then try swapping one or two caffeinated drinks for a herbal tea instead. It will help you avoid the plummeting lows after large amounts of caffeine, as well as contributing to keeping you hydrated. 3) Make sure you have some personal space: Most of us are at work for at least eight hours a day and, especially if you’re working in an open plan office, by the end of the day you can feel exposed and irritated. This is completely natural â€" you spend more time in this space than you do awake at home so not being able to get any privacy at all in that time is understandably a bit draining. No matter what your office set up, try to arrange it so that you feel like you have a degree of personal space â€" within the confines of company policy. Make sure that you have a comfortable desk and chair set up and if you have any physical issues then try to ease these with ergonomic furniture or supports. Decorate the space you have so that you feel at home â€" you might not be able to start bringing in lights or furniture but photos, quotes, books, your own mug or a plant that reminds you of home should be acceptable in most circumstances. 4) Give yourself a reward: If you’re doing well at work, or you’re just managing to stay cheerful, then why not reward yourself with something you like? The reward should be something unconnected to your work and something you will really enjoy. An after work drink with friends, taking a new yoga class, getting a pedicure, buying a new pair of shoes, treating yourself to lunch at a new restaurant or taking time out to spend time with friends and family will all make you feel like you’re getting good balance in your life, rather than just being trapped in a cycle of work. The knock on effect of this will be an overall more positive mood â€" in the same way that stressful events can make you feel blue or depressed, positive experiences can brighten your work mood too. Conclusion: These are four easy ways to stay happy at work. Other great tips include taking time away from your desk on a regular basis, getting organised so that you feel in control of your workload, moving around the office to get your heart pumping regularly and trying harder to focus on the positives, rather than the negatives. Try one, or more, of the above and see what kind of impact it makes on your happiness levels. Author: James Gouge is the CEO at Unity-Recruitment.co.uk  a leading recruitment  serving candidates businesses across North London the surrounding areas.

Writing A Resume And Cover Letter That Will Flourish

Writing A Resume And Cover Letter That Will FlourishWhen it comes to writing a resume, you need to be sure that you include the perfect resume objective. The objective is what will guide the reader of your resume to the next paragraph, so you want to make sure you have a great resume objective that speaks to the reader.When writing your resume, it's a good idea to write the goal first and then build your resume around that objective. For example, let's say you want to have a career in sales. Your objective might be 'To sell on commission.' When you want to sell on commission, you have to make sure that you are willing to work for a higher commission amount or a lot more hours than the amount that you will receive.In addition, make sure that you know enough about what your objective is before you write your resume so that you can get the right information out to the reader. If you don't understand what you are talking about, they may dismiss your resume as a sales pitch.The resume obj ective must be kept simple and direct. You can go into great detail when you begin your resume. However, if you don't get too much information into your resume, the reader won't see the point of it. Be sure to keep your resume objective short, but the reader should be able to read it and understand what it is.Make sure that you include your job experience and skills you have that relate to your resume objective. For example, if you are in sales, you can include this in your resume objective. Your skills and experience should come from your work experience. If you haven't had any sales work, you can put the skills in your past employment or current employment.Other skills you can include in your resume objective are knowledge of the company, which is also listed on your resume. Knowing the company's products is another skill you can list on your resume. You can find this on the company's website.Keep in mind that you don't need to repeat everything, but you should be able to show how your skills or accomplishments fit in with your resume objective. For example, if you listed out your experience at one time, but now list one skill and one accomplishment at a time, you could say that you are seeking the position of a Human Resources Representative. In addition, make sure you can link your skill at the top of your resume with your objective. Don't just list one thing and skip to the bottom.After you finish writing your resume and have included your resume objective, it's time to write a cover letter. You can continue writing your resume until you are ready to submit it, but it will only serve as a guideline. This is the first impression that the reader will have on you, so you want to make sure that your resume and cover letter are as close to one another as possible.

Who Has Got It Right Those Who Fear China or Those Who Embrace China

Who Has Got It Right Those Who Fear China or Those Who Embrace China Today I had the privilege of meeting with some very impressive scientists who are focused on improving the lives of people across the globe.   They tell me that China, and not the US, is one of the few nations that truly “get it” as far as their field goes, and so there are important collaborations underway. I asked what they thought of the concern expressed by business and political leaders about the threat of China potentially overtaking the US in a multitude of areas, and would interpret their view as follows:   while it is unfortunate that one has to travel halfway around the world to find people who are willing to put resources behind research, ultimately it does not really matter as long as someone funds and makes the scientific breakthroughs that will improve outcomes for humankind. There is something noble about the way these scientists think.  Sure, they want to be the one to make the breakthrough discovery, but once the discovery is made, the idea is to make it available to the world to find applications.   This way of thinking reminds me of Tim Berners Lee, who created the worldwide web and made it available to all rather than hold onto it for personal commercial benefit. So, who has got it right:   the politicians and business establishment who think in parochial national boundaries, or the scientists who collaborate globally (and the former may say perhaps naively) to find solutions for humankind? As usual, the answer probably lies somewhere in between.   And we, the people, will make life more interesting for both sides as we want the healthcare breakthroughs as soon as possible, while also expecting to enjoy the economic benefits of businesses making profits from the applications in our own national “backyard”. I suppose that if national pride helps to focus more resources on solving these big global issues, then maybe it serves a useful purpose after all.

Summary Sunday Always Learning

Summary Sunday Always Learning On Sunday, I share some of my favorite posts from other great bloggers and writers. There is so much to learn and so little time, I hope that you invest a little bit of time reviewing these posts and of course, I hope they help you in some way, shape or form! 24 Ways to be Uncommonly Productive From Forbes by Natalie Sisson I double-dog-dare-you to implement just two or three of these tips for 30 days. (30 days because it takes that long to build a new habit!) The first two items grabbed my attention: get up an hour earlier and use Sunday evening for planning the week. And there are many other smart ways to become more productive! Take a look! How to Network Your Way Into a New Job Without Looking Desperate from Brazen Careerist by Marian Schembari This post uses an example to show how Ginny did a fabulous job winning points and landed a networking meeting. See if you can replicate the winning tactics as you embark on your next request to network with someone who is extremely busy! Marian says: More often than not, people network like this: 1. Cold emails that get sent to anyone and everyone. 2. Expecting people have hours of time to devote to helping someone they’ve never met. 3. Sending through their resume before you even get to know them. 4. When you do help, they never thank you. Dont be this person! Are Jobs Only On the Job Boards? From Great Resumes Fast by Cindy Bellington One of my biggest pet peeves is that most people searching for a job will only look at the job boards or focus on job postings.   Cindys post explains the importance of diversifying your job search. Employers Want Emotional Intelligence from The Wise Job Search by Harry Urschel Wikipedia describes Emotional Intelligence as: Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups. This is a quick read on the importance of developing your Emotional Intelligence! It is such an important concept and one that will certainly develop your career!