"Know this: your success will depend directly on the success of your staff. No one gets there alone. No one." ~ Bonnie Low-Kramen, Staff Matters As a 40-year veteran of the U.S. corporate workplace that spanned four industries (broadcasting, publishing, public relations and financial services), and was employed by Fortune 500 companies and mid-size businesses, … Continue reading DO YOU THINK YOUR “STAFF MATTERS”?
"We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in. ~ Arianna Huffington "Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." ~ Albert Einstein “It's amazing how a little tomorrow … Continue reading SERIES ~ PANDEMIC LESSONS LEARNED – PART FIVE: THE WORLDWIDE WORKER WALKOUT FIRESTORM
"Fashions fade, style is eternal." —Yves Saint Laurent With the trend toward dressing down at work continuing, it is important for women to remember that the power suit is still a thing. The Suit - The Great Equalizer The struggle for equality in the workplace is ongoing; but to make progress in all fields women … Continue reading The Power Suit – It’s Still A Thing
Rookie Error: a mistake made due to inexperience ~ macmillandictionary.com Recently House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called out President Trump for committing "a rookie’s error” in his attempt to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act on the seventh anniversary of its being signed into law. And former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard said of her campaign tactics several … Continue reading Rookie Errors: The Job Search
How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate
our heroes and she-roes!” ~ Maya Angelou
Guest Post by Lyn Nelson
As we honor our nation's Armed Forces heroes this Veterans Day, I'd like to use this space to discuss some of the difficulties our returning veterans undergo in transitioning back to the workforce. Veterans possess a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives to contribute to future jobs, and yet its members still face significant trouble getting hired. From my experience working with veteran clients, I'd like to share a few insights:
Negotiation Practice Makes Perfect
When you are not practicing,
remember, someone somewhere is practicing,
and when you meet him he will win.”
~ Ed Macauley, Hall of Fame Basketball Player
Employers have had a lot of practice in the craft of salary negotiation. So when you approach job-offer negotiations, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, keep in mind the time-honored phrase, “practice makes perfect.” Just as you practiced your interview answers, questions, strategies and techniques, practicing your negotiation scenarios will help you to perfect your performance and showcase your presence and poise at the negotiation table. In turn, your negotiation style will provide your potential employer with a preview of your business savvy.
Negotiating Non-Salary Items
“Don’t bargain yourself down before you get to the table.”
~ Carol Frohlinger
My last two blog entries focused on salary negotiation (Step Up To The Salary Negotiation and Women and Salary Negotiation). This week's entry concentrates on non-salary items that typically are included in an Offer Package (AKA Benefits Package). It's important to review all items carefully to determine if they are adequate for your needs and competitive with other similar companies.
Women and Salary Negotiation
The Feminine Negotiation Mystique
There’s a lot of buzz lately about the need for women to enter into salary negotiations when they receive job offers. This is due in part to Sheryl Sandberg’s modern bestselling manifesto, Lean In: Women, Work, And the Will To Lead, in which she describes nearly accepting Mark Zuckerberg’s first offer to join Facebook without negotiating salary and other terms. Ironically, it was at the urging of her husband and brother-in-law that she went on to “negotiate hard,” and the result was she received an “improved” offer, which she accepted.
Step Up to the Salary Negotiation
Don’t Leave Money on the Table
“Don’t leave money on the table,” is the advice of negotiators, and applies whether you're investing, navigating a business deal, applying for financial aid, making an offer on a house, wrangling over the sticker price on a new or used car, haggling with a market vendor, bartering over your allowance or negotiating your starting salary, benefits, perks and other fine points of your newly-minted job offer.
The Post-Interview Follow Up
“If you hesitate,
some bolder hand will stretch out before you and get the prize.
~ P.T. Barnum
Your interview is over. It’s time to walk the fine line of finesse and assertiveness. You should continue to express interest in the position, while avoiding the appearance of being a pest. Always be positive and appreciative, never arrogant or negative.
Therefore, before you leave the interview and send your written thank you(s), ask for the expected timeframe to make the hiring decision. This information will help you to plan your follow-up strategy.
Jeanne Nelson 