6 expert tips for negotiating a pay rise

Woman sits with her boss negotiating a pay rise, her notebook and pen in hand.

It’s unfortunate, but most corporate career ladders are designed around the average time it takes to learn and level up, which doesn’t work well for employees who check all the boxes much sooner. For those employees, the next best solution is to go somewhere new where they would be evaluated for their new capabilities, and compensated accordingly…

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6 strategies for successful job hunting during a downturn

woman sitting at laptop

Periods of economic growth and decline are inevitable and there is no doubt that times are tough in the global economy right now. It feels like we have gone from boom to bust in the blink of an eye where major economies have shifted to a new normal of restrictions on movement, businesses closing either temporarily or sometimes permanently and social distancing becoming the norm. So we’re tacking how to tackle job hunting during a downturn.

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Questions you should ask at a job interview

If you’re a member of the workforce, then you already know how important making a good first impression during the interview is for securing a position. Through the questions you are asked, you have the opportunity to shine and showcase your most valuable skills. But did you know that you are allowed to make inquiries as well? Regardless of the position you have applied for, showing interest in the job you are offered is essential. This is one of the essential tips for people seeking employment with any other major company. To help you in this direction, we have compiled a list of the top ten questions you should ask to highlight your awareness.

Which skills do you seek in the ideal candidate?

If you only ask one question during your interview, let it be this. This type of open-ended inquiry encourages the recruiter to show their hand and clearly state what the recommended aptitudes for the position are. This is your chance to steer the discussion in the right direction and showcase your qualities even more.

How long have you worked for the company?

Getting a glimpse into the interviewer’s own work experience is a good way to find out more pieces of information on the company without giving off the impression that you didn’t do your research beforehand. This is also your chance to assess your potential lifespan within the firm, as well as how easy or difficult it is to climb up the ranks.

What do you enjoy most about your position?

This question is a great one to pose, as it has double benefits for your image. First of all, you will reinforce the idea that you are genuinely interested in the job. On top of that, it will also emphasize that you are viewing the experience in a positive light to begin with, as you are curious about what the person in front of you likes best about their work.

What professional aptitudes are you most proud of?

Who says that buttering up the interviewer has to be tacky? By asking him or her about the professional aptitudes they are most proud of possessing or having achieved, you will make an excellent first impression while understanding more about what being employed with that particular firm entails.

Can you tell me more about the team I will be working with?

This is another question that enhances the way in which the recruiter sees you in more than one way. Of course, the obvious benefit is that you will clearly highlight how interested you are in working there. However, it is also a way to showcase your self-assurance and wit, as the phrasing carefully implies that you are the right person for the position.

Which qualities can I bring to the table to enhance the team?

To further cash in on the teamwork inquiry, try asking your interviewer what he or she thinks you could bring new to the table as far as the peer dynamic of the firm is concerned. This will let you know which of your qualities stood out, so you can play off of them or move towards other skills that you feel can seal the deal.

How does the company define success?

Asking more personal questions that relate to the person in front of you or refer to your peers is a good way to start, but you will also need to find out more about the company itself. As Monster.com explains, the best way to do that is by requesting to know how those in leadership positions define and quantify employee success.

What are the company’s growth prospects for the next five years?

Anyone who has attended their fair share of job interviews is familiar with the age-old question that forces them to think five years into the future. Why not return the favor? In this way, not only will you show that you are committed to sticking it out until that point, but you will also find out more about the company’s goals and culture.

What is your opinion on my qualifications?

Many career experts strongly recommend asking this during your interview because it’s new, unexpected, and quite gutsy. Be bold and find out how the session went. Many people are afraid to pose such queries, as they don’t really want to know the truth so early on. Show your superiors you are different, and you will surely stand out.

When should I expect to hear back from you?

Unfortunately, there are many companies that don’t even provide candidates with the courtesy call informing them they didn’t get the job. Show interviewers they can’t push you around by asking them this simple, yet disarmingly straightforward question. Not only will you hear back from them, but it will most likely be good news.

The Bottom Line

Your job interview is certainly the place for answering questions, but it’s also an opportunity to ask them yourself. By opening various subjects in an educated and inquisitive manner, you will surely find out more information about the company while showcasing your interest at the same time. This is one step further in evolving in your career, so why not have some courage?

Dianna Howell is a HR Manager. She runs JobInterviewAdvice, a collection of job interview resources for career searchers. Diana graduated from MBA Managerial and Organizational Behavior, the University of Chicago.

More than money: 7 things to look for in a job offer

Money isn’t everything. While it’s great to be able to pay all the bills and still treat yourself once in a while, a career is more than a paycheck. You have to be able to love what you do and enjoy your life while you work. If the salary won’t make you rich, there might still be some things in that job offer that mean more than money. Look at everything the employer has to give before you decline a job offer.

Work-Life Balance

If you’re a student, a parent, or a passionate hobbyist, work-life balance is going to be important to you. If your new job offers plenty of time off, great hours, or flexible scheduling, you’ll be able to live more. Some fields provide better work-life balance than others. According to CNBC and Glassdoor, corporate recruiters and UX designers report some of the best work-life balance. If your job offer isn’t in one of those fields, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get what you want. If it’s important to you and the salary isn’t what you desired, you can always negotiate for it.

Useful Discounts and Partnerships

If your job winds up saving you money on things you frequently purchase, a slightly smaller salary won’t be a big deal. Plenty of retail jobs boast excellent discounts – Sephora gives its employees 20% off on luxury cosmetics and fragrances, Barnes & Noble offers discounts between 20% and 50% depending on the department, and Trader Joe’s gives their employees 10% off all their groceries and free food while they’re at work.

Some employers might also offer discounts to sister brands or partner companies, extending your savings. Depending on your hobbies and where you like to shop, you might wind up saving a fortune. These kinds of discounts come in useful around the holidays – if you spend $300 on gifts for your friends and family, a mere 20% discount can save you $60 to treat yourself with.

A Wellness Program

Google has the wellness program to end all wellness programs – they even keep doctors and massage therapists on staff. Even if you’re not working for Google, you can still expect some health help from a great employer. If you’re trying to devote more attention to your health, an employee wellness program will significantly benefit you. Employers that keep you fed with healthy foods and snacks, pay for your gym membership (or have an employee gym on the campus), or run a company sports league might help you achieve your goals. You won’t be torn between your fitness journey and your career success.

The Ability to Work Remotely

Think about those days where you aren’t necessarily sick, but you still don’t feel like getting all dressed up to deal with people. You don’t want to call out of work because you might need those days for an actual emergency. That’s where the ability to work remotely kicks in. If you just need some leisurely time or you want to be able to work while you’re attending an out-of-town wedding, consider an employer that will give you the freedom to do so.

Many employers in fields that heavily rely on computers, medical billing and coding, insurance agencies, web design, graphic design, app development, and customer service all have remote work opportunities.

Great Company Culture

If the salary is great but your coworkers are as pleasant to deal with as pulling teeth, you’re going to hate your job. Nothing can trump company culture. The environment you work in, the way teams collaborate, and the strength of communication from the top down will affect the way everyone works. In order to create a harmonious company cultures, employees need to have values and a mission statement that every employee believes in. This facilitates the unity and the team spirit necessary for everyone to have a great working experience.

One of the best examples of company culture is Zappos. The shoe company pays people to quit after training if they don’t think they’ll thrive in their work environment, and cultural fit accounts for 50% of the hiring decision. They only want people who will work well together towards a goal they all believe in. This is the greatest motivator possible, and it amounts to a fulfilling career.

Room For Advancement

A starting salary may be low until you’ve proven yourself. If you have your eyes set on a position more important than the one you were initially offered, it may be worthwhile to take what you’re offered and work your way up. Before you accept a job offer, talk to the person who gave it to you. Ask if there’s any room from growth within the company and what the trajectory will look like. If you aren’t starting in a dead end position, your salary will inevitably increase with your prestige. The ability to become a key player in an organization always outranks the starting offer.

Educational Opportunities

Some companies offer tuition reimbursement, making them perfect choices for students who need to further their education in order to land their dream positions. If you’re working to put yourself through school as a means of achieving a better career opportunity, there are plenty of companies who would love to help you do that – and many of them will be waiting to offer you that better opportunity after you’ve graduated.

 

Before you turn your nose up at a job offer, consider how much you stand to gain that doesn’t come affixed to a dollar sign. If the career is a great place for you to learn, grow, and focus on your goals, money cannot purchase that opportunity.

Rachel Jackson is a mother of 2 beautiful boys. She loves to hike and write about travelling, education and business at AssignYourWriter.co.uk. She is a Senior Content Manager at Bizset.com – an online resource of relevant business information.