Q. When I started in my new job six months ago, the salary was not exactly what I asked for. My employers promised me verbally that they would review my performance in six months and raise my salary then. How should I approach this since they have not mentioned it since? What kind of an increase should I ask for?A. As I have often advised, verbal agreements don't mean very much. However, you may consider sending your employers an email reminding them of the promise they made to you. At the same time, ask them what their merit practices or policies have been in the past. What, for instance, was... view article details

Thinking about moving to Portland for a company you’re dying to work for? Does the thought of experiencing a new culture and working in Europe for a year sound exciting? Intrigued by a startup with long hours and below-market pay … but with the upside of stock options that could pay off handsomely? Many will tell you that your 20s is the time to do this, when you probably don’t have a spouse or kids or mortgage to consider.The biggest payoffs in your 20s come from changing jobs and negotiating salary assertively when you do. While the average raise might only be 3-6%, when changing jobs (and g... 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

Dear Annette,Please tell me what to do about coworkers' kids in the office. I could understand if people brought their children in when there was an emergency, but everywhere I look there seems to be some toddler. The noise and distraction are affecting my work. I can't get away from it because we are all in cubes, but I need some way to tell my coworkers that the office is not a daycare center!RattledDear Rattled,It's not surprising that today's office has become so alluring to the young, with its bright colors, foosball table, and all the soda you can drink.I myself have only recently recove... view article details

Q:  What should I do when a prospective employer asks for salary requirements or salary history in the resume or cover letter?A:  Defer and delay. Never be the first to say a number.Employers will go to great lengths to try to get candidates to disclose their salary requirements first. As the buyer of a service - your time - they are trying to bring down the price they will pay by talking about numbers prematurely and by getting you to give up information first. This puts them at a significant advantage in the subsequent negotiation.Every employer with a job opening has a budgeted range for th... view article details

Q. A coworker recently moved, and the owners decided not to hire a new employee. The office manager and I are splitting the extra duties. Would this be a good time to request a raise, since I am now doing more work at the same pay rate as before?A. It depends on what tasks you're being expected to take over and on how these new tasks have changed the impact, scope, and responsibilities of your job. Just because the company has increased your tasks does not mean the value of the job has increased.In many cases, a company may increase the number of tasks in someone's current job function without... view article details

# 5 Go Hybrid If you have no choice but to drive, you may want to consider a fuel-efficient hybrid car.# 4 Carpool Do you have a co-worker that lives nearby or a friend that works in the next building? Find a carpooling buddy and save some cash and gas.# 3 Public Transportation Taking public transportation may add some time onto your commute, so bring a good book, magazine or newspaper.# 2 Ride a Bike If you work a little bit far to walk, riding a bike is another cost-effective option. Remember to wear your helmet!# 1 Take a Walk I... view article details

Q. What should I do if my job title doesn't really reflect what I do? My job title is 'return authorization coordinator.' I process and credit accounts when we receive products back from customers.A. I agree that your title seems to be somewhat inflated. A job title is never a good way to define a job. Rather, whether in a job search or at performance review time, it's better to read the entire job description to make sure it adequately reflects what you actually do.Ideally, a job title also should reflect a person's actual job responsibilities. Ask your HR department what its rationale was fo... view article details

10 jobs for people with little to no experience If you are just graduating from university or changing career tracks, you may have difficulty in finding a job. Most companies prefer hiring experienced staff instead of beginners. Don’t worry. It is possible to find a job even without any experience. Here are 10 options to help you to get a start. You may find that many of them are quite interesting and beneficial for your career prospects. Administrative/Office Jobs 1. Sales Representative If you are confident in your social and communication skills... view article details

Non-salary Job Interview Questions That No One Else is Asking Think Beyond Salary When you’re sitting in the hotseat of an interview, it’s natural to think about the immediate here and now: How do I answer all these questions, land this job, and negotiate the highest salary? Salary.com has plenty of resources to help you out. But at some point, the interviewer is going to finish grilling you, turn the tables, and ask, “So, do you have any questions?” Asking good questions is important for several reasons: It shows you’ve prepared for the interview and truly care about the position. It ... view article details