Getting Respect from Bullies to Bosses Ever feel like the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield -- that no matter what you do at work you just 'can’t get no respect?'From the bully in the cubicle next to you to a boss who seems oblivious to your accomplishments to the people reporting to you who are loathe to make any tough decisions themselves, your day at the office carries more baggage than the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the in-laws. Yet every moment of the day when we are interacting with other human beings, there is an opportunity -- if not a pressing need -- to assert our influenc... view article details
Minimize Your Stress Searching for a job is stressful. If the loss of a job continues into an extended time of unemployment, not only does it take a toll on your bank account, but also your self-esteem, confidence, and relationships.Like most people, over my lifetime I’ve experienced job loss for myself, close family members, friends, and colleagues. Based on my experience, I usually offer two pieces of advice, as well as a simple sentence to say at the end of an interview that can take away some of the stress of job searching.Don't Get Too Low Conducting a job search is like... view article details
Q. In job announcements in the newspaper and elsewhere I sometimes see 'send resume and salary history to...' If I respond, I respectfully decline submission of the salary history information until I get more serious interest from the prospective employer. However, I have yet to get an interview from any of these employers, in spite of my apparent qualifications, which in some cases have been significant. I think my salary history is irrelevant, as I have recently completed a master's degree and attained a related certification, though I haven't yet worked in any position that called for these... view article details
Solutions to Disclosing Your Past Salary During a Job Interview If revealing your current salary is the most common mistake job seekers make when negotiating salary, then the dreaded "Salary History" box on job applications is public enemy #1. Here at Salary.com, I don’t think we can give you enough case studies showing you examples of different ways you might handle this situation. Here’s one that came up with a recent client. "Cheryl" is 25 years old, working in her second job at a major corporation, and got an interview for a really great job. As with many cases, with her interview pending ... view article details
If you're on the job hunt, your first goal is to land an interview. But what you say in the hot seat can impact whether you land the job -- or even a second interview. This article explores the right and wrong ways to answer eight common interview questions. What is your dream job? Wrong answer: "I want to be CEO of Apple Computers." Stay away from naming specific jobs. If you say the job you're interviewing for is your dream job, you'll come off as disingenuous. If you name a job other than the one you're interviewing for, you may give the impression you won't be happy in the position i... view article details
An interview is the only time during the hiring process when you and your interviewer can form a mutual relationship based on observation and communication. You're both on the same level: the interviewer wants to do his or her best to get to know you, answer your questions, and find out if you would be a good fit for the job and the company.Despite its etiquette and formality, your interview can yield a wealth of information. The key to a successful interview is to bring some knowledge with you yet keep your eyes open for the intangibles, such as office culture and the staff's personalities. Y... view article details
Recent surveys have estimated that over 132 billion business emails are sent and received each day. With that much communication going on through emails, there’s lots of room for confusion and misunderstandings -- especially if you are unaware of how your personality style is perceived by other styles.Follow these tips to make sure you are on the same wavelength as the recipient of your email.Direct style emails: When exchanging emails with the Direct style, keep it short and to the point. Jump in to your main point and stop when you are done. When you send them an email that doesn’t require a... view article details
It's a jungle out there. When conventional job search approaches leave you feeling defeated, consider unconventional methods to find a job. We've received many job hunting tips over the years. Some are a little bit crazy, while others are pretty clever. Yet, all have, at one time or another, got the job done. Don't let hiring managers get you down Don't fall into the "send resume and salary expectations" trap and forgo engaging on your own terms. Consider sending a $1 gift card and suggest meeting for coffee. At a minimum, the gift will be memorable. If the meeting happens, consider bringing ... view article details
How to answer the question "what are your strengths and weaknesses" in an interview No matter how perfectly you answer the other job interview questions from your interviewer, the question "tell me about your greatest strengths/weaknesses" can usually be a hot potato for a candidate in an interview. It's a common interview question but a puzzling one as well, which most candidates don't get right and may even panic and respond with something odd. Their answers may make them sound conceited, or not qualified for the role. This is a common mistake many job applicants make. You... view article details
Q. I just made a huge mistake in a salary negotiation and am wondering if there is something I can do to fix it.This was the first interview and I was not prepared to discuss salary, as I know it is a huge no-no. Unfortunately, the interviewer's second question was, 'What is your salary expectation?' Instead of answering with the question, 'Well, what is the range for the job?' I said, 'Between $55,000 and 60,000, but it is negotiable.' I said this before I even knew what my duties would be. I don't know what I was thinking! That is well below the average for the position in my area; the range... view article details