Question:I accepted an offer lower than what the CIO officer told me. After a couple of months, I scheduled a meeting with the CIO asking for a salary increase based on his initial offer. Was this the correct approach?Answer:No, this was the incorrect approach. Here's why:Salary-Making Rule #1 says “Postpone salary until they’re serious about making you an offer.” So one side of that rule is to postpone, and the corollary to that rule is when they are ready to make you an offer—that is the time to talk about salary. Don’t hope it will change or get better by accident, over time or however you ... view article details

Dear Annette,I know you're not supposed to burn bridges, but I'm so tempted to tell my former employer what they can do with their pink slip. Is it ever OK to act out when leaving a company?Disgusted in DallasDear Dallas,On a hot California day, down by my private beach, I love to have my People hire an upcoming international design sensation to build split-level sandcastles with marvelous feng shui while I sip something bitter and refreshing from the Far East, hoping my straw hat doesn't blow away. Invariably, as my dog Dickie supervises the construction crew, my thoughts turn to the 1957 cla... view article details

If you are like most people in the midst of a job search, you probably haven’t given your references much thought. You’ve likely spent more time on your resume, cover letter and networking activities. But references can have a significant impact on the final hiring decision. You need to be ready at a moment’s notice to provide potential employers with at least three solid references.Human resource managers almost always ask for references when they are seriously considering someone for a position. You want to make sure that you provide a list of individuals that will speak about you in a posit... view article details

Q: Hello Jack,I just completed an exploratory (group) interview and mini-individual interview with an HR Manager at a prestigious non-profit organization that services Developmentally Disabled individuals nationwide. I have 12 years in the field of Disabilities, starting out as a case manager and working myself up to two supervisory positions within the last five years with a year gap in between as I was pursuing my Masters in Social Work. I'll be  getting my MSW by 2013. I cant help thinking that I made a huge mistake in writing a salary range of $48k-$50k on my application. When I sat with h... view article details

These days when job security is not necessarily a given, many workers are taking advantage of mentoring, a valuable -- and free -- training tool. And no wonder: According to Randi Bussin, a career coach in Belmont, Mass., 'it's a no-brainer for lifetime career development.'Wherever you are in your career, a mentor can be an invaluable guide. Here are some tips for finding one and making the relationship work.1. Take the initiative It's usually easiest to find a mentor in a formal corporate program, but not all companies offer one. The same workplace stresses that make peop... view article details

Hello Jack,I was hired 21 years ago as a nurse practitioner by an MD. The salary was low and the benefits average. I was told salary would increase over time once I proved myself. Nine years later there's hardly any increase in salary even though my employee reviews were always above average. When asked why no raise, the physician responded with folded arms and said 'this is my business.' The next day I gave a 30-day resignation notice to open my own practice.The doctor then asks for a meeting and says she needs changes, and am I willing to talk. I asked if she was willing to pay and she said ... view article details

Did you know that you may be able to negotiate some of your benefits? Even though companies put fixed policies on most benefits, some benefits are negotiable - and sometimes, all you have to do is ask. Signing bonus. If a company wants you badly enough or can't meet your salary demands, it might sweeten the deal by offering you a signing bonus, a one-time payment that doesn't increase the base salary on which everything else is calculated. A signing bonus is a good-faith demons... view article details

Dearest Readers,What was I doing in Billy's Boxer on Boxing Day? Zipping along the 10 on our way to the Ask Annette celebrity shareholders' retreat in Palm Springs, naturally, when suddenly my newest Hermès scarf blew away, and it got me thinking: It's the new year. Whatever will we wear?Moreover, what simple steps can today's office worker take to become even more fabulous in the coming months? Here are some of the shareholders' resolutions.CourtesyFinish and mail your holiday thank-you notes by January 15.When you restate someone else's idea in a meeting, give the person credit.Have your Peo... view article details

Q: Hi Heather,One form of passive aggressive behavior is a boss who looks displeased but does not speak to you for a day or several days. I am retired now but have been through a variety of good & bad managers. There is seemingly no recourse from moody nonspeaking bosses. If reported, one may be labeled as being over sensitive. What are your recommendations?A: Wouldn’t it be nice to just sit down and have a little chat when those situations arise? But that is exactly what the passive-aggressive personality seeks to avoid. Whether due to unresolved issues from childhood or problems with authori... 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