Q: I took some time off this year, and I think it affected my performance review. I got only a 2 percent raise. Does this mean I am a problem employee?A: The dreaded performance evaluation happens every year. You hope against hope that the project you completed is recognized. You also hope the extra work you put in is also recognized. But to your dismay, you are told that in spite of your hard work, you are eligible for a 2 percent increase, which after taxes isn't much.Without knowing the details of your situation, I could paint a typical scenario.During your review, your manager informed you... view article details

Your performance standards establish the link between the company's objectives and your job description. Your manager will translate corporate objectives into acceptable performance standards for your position given the tasks in the job description. The job description identifies measurable tasks, and the performance standards establish the acceptable levels for each of those tasks.For example, if the job description for a loan officer at a bank says, 'Identifies and assists prospective clients in the loan application process,' the loan officer's performance standards for this task would relat... view article details

Failure to Adapt to the New Working World Will Leave You in the Unemployment Line by 2020 Times Are Changing While the year 2020 may feel futuristic, in reality it's just around the corner. Will your career be prepared to fly into orbit, or will it stall on the ground? We’re predicting 10 global trends we believe will shape the future workforce. In addition, we'll share tips and hints that help you plan for and respond to these trends. Read on to make sure you'll be considered relevant and not a relic. 10. Global Talent Seeking As countries continue to invest in emerging economies -- spec... view article details

Did you know employers sometimes pay a premium for the right education and experience? Or that you might be able to earn more by doing the same job in a larger company? In fact, these could be some of your strongest negotiating points in your next performance review, job interview, or request for a promotion.Employers typically adjust their market data when determining how much to pay a specific employee to do the job. In other words, they price the 'space' - the position in the organization - before they price the 'face,' or the person doing that job. After they determine the value of the pos... view article details

Q: I have been an estimator for a plumbing and mechanical company for two years. I am also a project manager. I have produced about $747,000 in sales this year and am managing about $1 million in construction projects. My salary is $32,800 per year. Should I be outraged?A: Maybe a little outraged.Let's assume that when you were hired, you were not expected to bring in sales. But perhaps your job has changed a great deal since then. I recommend that you ask your supervisor to review your current job responsibilities.Bringing in $747,000 is a significant amount of revenue. Typically, people resp... view article details

Seven Tips to a Better ReviewThe performance review induces a case of nerves in most employees, but if you prepare properly, you can make your next performance review your best.  To help, the experts at Salary.com have created a list of tips to ensure a better performance review.1. Track your contributionsKeep a journal at your desk that you can update daily or weekly with your key accomplishments, positive feedback you have received and comments about areas where you can improve.2. Compile your greatest achievementsEach month, review your journal entries and track your progress against your g... view article details

Q. My performance review is coming soon, and I would like to learn more about the do's and don'ts of performance reviews. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.A. The review process is normally broken down into two parts. The first is spent discussing your overall performance during a defined 'performance period.' The second part of the process is how much you will receive based on your performance.I always advise managers that employees should never be surprised by their review. The purpose of a performance review is just that: to review an employee's performance. In other words, your manag... view article details

"Insourcing" Means Employers Are Finding It Less Expensive to Have Employees Stateside It's a familiar story: labor costs get too high, so management decides it will be best, in the long-run, to send jobs to another country. Only this time, the story has a twist ending. It is China – long considered an oasis of exceedingly cheap workers – that is losing jobs and the United States that is gaining them. Over the past two years, several major and not-so-major companies that had been outsourcing work to China have decided to bring some of the jobs back to the U.S. The trend -- often called "reshor... view article details

Looking for a job depends on where you start. You do things differently if you are looking for work while you have a job than when you don’t. You use one approach if your employer is hitting a rough patch. It’s a whole different story when you’ve just graduated from college (and which college seems to really matter). It’s another story when you are reentering the workforce or shifting careers. Where you are in your professional development plays a role. While it’s wonderful to think that recruiters will come hunting for you while you are gleefully enjoying your current gig, that doesn’t often... view article details

Typically, employees have performance reviews once or possibly twice a year. You might have a performance review after your first three months in a new job, to make sure it's a good fit. If it has been more than two years since your last performance review and your last raise, you are probably overdue.Some companies schedule everyone's performance review at the same time, for example the end of the calendar year. Others conduct performance reviews at employees' anniversary dates. In either case, make sure your review happens. If your company seems to be dragging its feet, take the initiative t... view article details