During the interview process, it’s inevitable that at some point you’ll be asked about your salary requirements. Along with that question, a hiring manager or human resources employee might casually ask, “How much do you make now?”Employers want to know what you earn now or what you’ve earned in the past for one reason: so they can hire you for the lowest possible salary. If you answer truthfully, you could be looking at a minimal increase from your last job. But if you lie, you could cost yourself the opportunity.Here are a few honest ways to tackle the question:1. Tell the truth.Be honest about what you make, but also say how much money you’d require to accept the new position. If your salary request is light years away from your current earnings, explain why you’re underpaid in your current job—maybe your company has financial problems, for example—and why you deserve more in your next position. Gaining experience or education … [Read more...] about What to Say When the Interviewer Asks How Much You Make
5 Jobs for Cry Babies
Not only do you hear them, you see them, and you can almost smell them. They infuse the office atmosphere with the decay of defeat, the stink of sadness and a drony whine, sounding like an army of mosquitoes dive bombing into your ear on a warm summer night. Nothing's ever right for these types, and everything's always wrong. They can play the martyr, as in 'I gave the best years of my life to this place, and all I got for it was a kick in the ass'. Or they can be bitter and sullen, perennially grousing about whatever, with no subject deemed too trivial to complain about. So whether its the color of the wall paint or the ply of the toilet paper, or the type of paper clips the company uses, it's all fair game to them. They are the office cry babies; professional complainers who serve no purpose other than to drain, to sap, the life force out of any and all co-workers that they can. They bleat like sick sheep, yet never seem to rise above their self-imposed torpor to do anything about … [Read more...] about 5 Jobs for Cry Babies
Could You Benefit from the "New" Workstyle?
Gist.com, a new social media network that integrates all your email and social media account, and helps you in your worklife by creating a business profile for everyone in your network, recently espoused the virtues of a "new workstyle." The tenets of this workstyle, essentially, is that we are always connected, always in touch and ... always working. Sounds exactly like life as a business owner (and I'm not complaining about that!) -- but I don't see how this would fly for most employees. Employees who practice this new workstyle, according to the post, are, “always on and always aware,” “location independent,” and “Demonstrate resiliency in their ability to navigate and thrive in an increasingly ambiguous workplace (and world).” In spite of all this, the new workstyle is supposed to provide a better work/life balance. The theory is that employees can better balance work priorities and commitments with personal pursuits during the work day and after … [Read more...] about Could You Benefit from the "New" Workstyle?
Do Pea-Brained Managers Launch Entrepreneurs?
If you’re longing to go out on your own, bag the day job and start your own business, what’re the motivating factors? I suspect they might be:1. Setting your own hours and controlling your schedule.2. Doing something you love.3. Making a boatload of money (really?)4. Working in your sweatsI think there’s a much bigger impetus – the pea-brained boss. They’re probably responsible for thousands of newly-formed entrepreneurs. “Dilbert” creator Scott Adams summed it up nicely in a Wall Street Journal article, "The Perfect Stimulus: Bad Management." When he started out in corporate life, as Adams put it, “Though most of my immediate bosses were entirely reasonable and competent, the organization at large was riddled with hamster-brained sociopaths in leadership roles.” A bit exaggerated, but that’s why he gets the … [Read more...] about Do Pea-Brained Managers Launch Entrepreneurs?
Weird Science: 7 Careers Your Guidance Counselor Never Told You About
A career in science doesn’t necessarily mean being cooped up in a lab all day or sitting behind a computer. The fact that science inquires into literally every part of our world means that you can pursue scientific careers in the oddest of places, from the tops of volcanoes to outer space. Check out these real and bizarre science jobs that may leave you reconsidering your current career. 1. Microbe Hunter: Crazy scientists, they’ll study anything. Even tiny bacteria that live in the most extreme climates, like hot springs or deep-ocean thermal vents. Microbe hunters are a particular type of microbiologist that scour the earth for these tiny, extremophile life forms. Microbe hunters travel for research, get samples of their life form, and head back to the lab to study its growth and characteristics. • Necessary Education: Most need at least a master’s degree in biology, geochemistry, or a related field, although a PhD will … [Read more...] about Weird Science: 7 Careers Your Guidance Counselor Never Told You About
Work Resolution #5: Leave Work in the Past
Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution! Jobacle is here to help. Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. As the human race, we tend to repeat behavior/emotions we have previously experienced. For example, if you were to punch your steering wheel every time someone cut you off, you might repeat that behavior at a time when it could cause harm. Or worse yet, what happens when you have the “feeling” of being cut off and there’s no steering wheel to punch?If you have a horrible day at work it can be therapeutic to espouse to your spouse. But if you make a habit out of complaining about work, you will do it without even realizing it -and this is bad for you (and your relationship!). You also are reawakening the negative feelings that occurred during the original event - why relive negativity twice?We all work for the money. One way to leave … [Read more...] about Work Resolution #5: Leave Work in the Past
Career Resolution #4: Become a Parrot
Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution! Jobacle is here to help. Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. As much as you may hate wearing a skirt and holding pom-poms, like it or not, you are your best cheerleader. Sometimes you are your only cheerleader!Today's resolution requires that you become a parrot.Repetition is one of the main ways we retain information. It's the way we learn a language, improve at math, get six-pack abs, and so on.Your mission is to pick an item that will boost your career "street cred," and repeat it every few days to different people at work.You might want to talk up a skill that you haven't had a chance to tap into. Or remind people of a past accomplishment. The point here is to spread the word about something you have done or something you want to do. You'll be amazed at how being a broken record can pay dividends. … [Read more...] about Career Resolution #4: Become a Parrot
Best Jobs in 2011 (and the worst jobs in 2011)
Software Engineer is the best job in the nation, according to the new CareerCast.com Jobs Rated Report which came out today. Roustabout (someone who works on an oil rig) was ranked as the nation's worst job. If your job made the worst list, grab a copy of How to Quit Your Job!Best Jobs in 2011 vs. How They Fared in 2010:1. Software Engineer (up 1 spot)2. Mathematician (up 4)3. Actuary (down 2)4. Statistician (up 4)5. Computer Systems Analyst (down 2)6. Meteorologist (up 6)7. Biologist (down 3)8. Historian (down 3)9. Audiologist (up 34)10. Dental Hygienist (no change) Worst Jobs in 2011 and How They Fared in 2010:200. Roustabout (no change)199. Ironworker (down 1)198. Lumberjack (up 1)197. Roofer (down 18)196. Taxi Driver (down 2)195. Emergency Medical Technician (down 9)194. Welder (up 2)191. Painter (down 32)191. Meter Reader (up 1)191. Construction Worker (up 2)To see the 2011 rankings of all 200 best and worst jobs, click here.To review the 2011 Jobs Rated … [Read more...] about Best Jobs in 2011 (and the worst jobs in 2011)
Career Resolution #3: Get Updated!
Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution! Jobacle is here to help. Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. By the end of January make a commitment to have your resume updated both online and on paper...even if you are not looking for a new job!You never know when an opportunity will present itself, and it is important to be prepared. Happy at your full-time gig? Congrats, but you're not exempt from this exercise. With the turning of the calendar, many organizations will be beefing up staff and making personnel changes; your job is to be ready. YOU are your brand!January is also a great time to take inventory of all of your social netowrking profiles. From LinkedIn to Pandora - be sure that your information is work-appropriate, consistent, and accurate. … [Read more...] about Career Resolution #3: Get Updated!
Career Resolution #2: Take a January Vacation Day
Welcome to 2011, the year that you will actually stick to your career resolution! Jobacle is here to help. Each day this week I will share a career resolution that has been effective for me. When it comes to vacation days, most people are like squirrels - they hoard their days for the summer and the end of the year. While I can appreciate the pragmatism, I would like to offer a suggestion; treat yourself to a vacation day in January. Even though the winter holidays are a time for family and friends, if we're gonna be honest, they are also a time for stress. Odds are that you did very little during the holiday season for yourself. Rather than do something for someone else, take a vacation day and use it for YOU. I don't know about you, but don't you hate it when you take a day off and later discover your boss was off too? The odds of someone taking time off from work in January are slim (unless they are reading this too!).Use the day … [Read more...] about Career Resolution #2: Take a January Vacation Day