By Nita Hanks on Feb 3rd 2010 2:00PM
Filed under: Careers
Many employees find it difficult to ask for a raise during normal economic times. Facing today's economy and the bleak outlook for some businesses, employees now find themselves more and more paralyzed by the thought of asking for a salary increase. Employees fear that they'll be refused, ridiculed or worse. They fear that they'll be the next name added to the "reduction in force" list just by asking. No employee wants to look like the creep that doesn't understand the financial woes facing their employer. Everyone wants to be a team player, right? Here are a few simple tips that will help you get a raise in today's world and still be the team player that your company wants you to be.
First, take stock on your own performance over the past twelve months. Have you shown up ready to contribute each day? Have you stayed positive about your company's leadership and the company's future? Do your co-workers view you as an important part of the group? If you can answer yes to these questions, then you have a good chance at being well received by your boss.
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Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Staffing Agencies:
Register with as many staffing agencies as possible. It's a great way to find a job and an even a better way to keep your interviewing skills up to par. The best way to find a Staffing Agency in your city is on the web or word of mouth. I also suggest targeting smaller agencies as opposed to feeling like just a number at a larger one. Being a recruiter at a boutique agency allows me to give a more personalized touch to all of my candidates. Since the flow of traffic isn't as heavy, I am able to spend time with my candidates and really get to know them on a professional and personal level.
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Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Set realistic goals:
Don't live in a fantasy world. If you are a cashier at your local drugstore, don't apply for an executive position at a Fortune 500 company. Being realistic means that you only apply for positions that dovetail with your qualifications. Otherwise you will spend more time online applying for jobs rather than a real time chance through interviews.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Learn New Skills:
With that being said, if you want to move from cashier to management or make a total career change, you should grab the bull by the horns and make it happen. I am a strong believer that you can get any job you want just as long as you know what you want and what it entails. If you don't have the necessary education or training, then it's your job to get it. So take that computer course, register with that college or vocational school, and talk to as many people as possible that have the same job that you want.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Staffing Agencies:
Register with as many staffing agencies as possible. It's a great way to find a job and an even a better way to keep your interviewing skills up to par. The best way to find a Staffing Agency in your city is on the web or word of mouth. I also suggest targeting smaller agencies as opposed to feeling like just a number at a larger one. Being a recruiter at a boutique agency allows me to give a more personalized touch to all of my candidates. Since the flow of traffic isn't as heavy, I am able to spend time with my candidates and really get to know them on a professional and personal level.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Resumes:
Resumes should be easy on the eyes, which means simple and uncomplicated There are two types of resumes -- functional and chronological. Functional resumes are more effective if you're changing fields; chronological works best if you want to move up in your field. Email addresses should be professional, sexygirl@gmail.com is not appropriate. Once you've finished writing your resume, always have another pair of eyes to review it to avoid grammatical and spelling errors.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Honesty is the best policy:
Never lie on your resume -- embellishing is fine -- but flat out lying will send you back to the unemployment line. Most companies will do background checks, so be as accurate as possible.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Use the 'Net:
Posting your resume on Monster, Hotjobs, and Careerbuilders is definitely worth a shot, but in these hard times you have to think outside the box! Start your own blog for people like your self who aren't working. Get a discussion going; join linkedin immediately if you're not already a member and Facebook (seriously!) One mortgage broker swears by Facebook because he has made more contacts on Facebook than anywhere else.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Networking:
Word of mouth is a great way to get started. Let your friends, and former business associates know that you're looking and what type of position you're looking for. Embrace technology. Send a mass email out to all those who might be helpful. Encourage them to pass it along to their contacts. You'll create a ripple effect that just might lead to the job of your dreams.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
References:
Notify references prior to interviewing. No employer wants to hear "I'll have to get back to you with that." It is just as important to be prepared before your interview as it is during.
Getting a Job in a Tough Economy
Second,
do your homework about yourself so that you present yourself as a contributor. Carefully put together of list of what you've accomplished over the past twelve months. Give details about additional revenues generated, time saved, production costs reduced or any other type of benefit that your work has achieved for the company. Make the list no longer than one page.
Third,
know what your company's goals are for the near and long-term. Read the latest financial statements or press releases. Learn all you can about whether or not the company is planning to shrink or expand. Be ready to express how you can contribute to those goals and offer to take on more responsibility if there is an opportunity to do so.
Fourth,
be prepared with a realistic dollar amount in mind. Review comparable jobs in your market on websites such as
www.salary.com. Many state unemployment sites also offer market comparisons for various jobs in local markets. Recognize that some of these sites can overstate an individual's value and, while you may think you're worth $10,000 more a year, your employer will most likely view a request that exceeds 10% of your current salary as outrageous.
Finally, remember that any increase is better than none and
be willing to compromise. If you're offered a 5% increase in lieu of the 10% request you made, consider any additional benefits you gain by accepting 5%. Perhaps you'll receive an increased amount of life insurance based on your increased salary or your retirement plan funding may increase. There are also some things that you may be able to bargain for in lieu of or in combination with a smaller increase -- more vacation time or an additional personal paid day off.
So, be brave, be prepared and be ready to compromise. You just may get what you want!
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