Posts Tagged ‘employment’
Question Asked: How Do I Negotiate A Better Salary At A New Job?
When you’re considering taking a new job, it’s important to consider more than just a salary. While salaries are really important to most people, think of the grand scheme of things.
Aside from more money, could you negotiate stock options? Better benefits?
While money does in fact make the world go ’round. It shouldn’t be the sole reason you take (or don’t take) a new job.
Your new job may offer things that your old job can’t. Room to grow. New positions. Better stability.
Having said all that, I’ll actually answer your question:
Negotiating a better salary is a tricky situation. The most important thing is to try to be reasonable. If your potential new boss offers you $50,000, and you really wanted $70,000, it’s unlikely that they’re going to increase their offer by that much. So asking for that will make you look unrealistic.
However, if they offer you $50,000, and you wanted $55,000, it’s possible that you could talk them into that. Especially if that was within their original budget (from the job description you applied to.)
The biggest and most important thing is to stay within their budget, whatever you ask for.
Question Asked: Can I Be Fired When On Medical Leave From Work?
This should no way be taken as legal advice. I’m not a lawyer, and didn’t consult one before writing this post. With that said, based on what I can find on the internet, it varies greatly from case to case.
Generally, if a doctor has specifically told you that you can’t go to work for any number of medical reasons, the majority of states in the United States are required to keep your job open for you, for a period of 60 days.
However, if you then go onto either short term or long term disability, they’re required to keep your job available for you throughout the duration of your disability claim.
They can, also, replace you, while you’re out. Once your disability claim is over, they’re required to give you the job back. If that means firing the person they replaced you with, or having two people do your job, they have to.
If you’re in this situation, you should absolutely consult a legal professional. They’ll be able to tell you what laws apply to your specific state, county, city, etc. Also, talk to your boss. See if you can work something out, if you’re worried they’re going to give your job away to someone else while you’re on medical leave.
Question Asked: Is It Okay For My Resume To Be More Than One Page?
The answer to this question depends heavily on who you ask. Nowadays it’s not uncommon to have a resume that’s two, or even three, pages long.
Personally, I feel that a resume should be more short, and to the point. Here I am, here’s what I’ve done, here’s what I can do for your company.
Drawing out every last work experience you had (especially jobs not related to one you’re applying for) can make you seem like you’re unsure about what you want to do, which looks bad to a potential employer.
The majority of resumes I’ve seen, from applicants, stick to one page. Presumably because that’s the “norm”, but I have seen quite a few that were two pages long, and didn’t think twice. Anyone who would exclude your resume from being looked at, simply because it’s more than one page long, probably isn’t someone you want to work for, anyway.
The best advice I can give is to make your resume appropriately represent you, and what you’ve done in your employment history.
Question Asked: How Do I Deal With A Difficult Co-Worker?
First and foremost, always be professional. Everyone’s got an opinion about everyone else. Whether it’s that you think they’re lazy, or are a detriment to the company, it’s irrelevant. Be professional at all times.
If the co-worker is someone who works for you, it’s your responsibility to provide them with some form of feedback, to let them know that they’re causing an issue. When doing so, stick with the positive and negative approach. For everything negative you say, say something positive, as well. Even if it’s tough, and you have to search for something positive to say, do it.
If the co-worker is a peer, on the same level as you, you should speak with the person whom you both report to. There’s varying levels of “difficult” that a person can be, clashing personalities happens in the work place, and shouldn’t be a reason to report someone to their boss. People don’t get along every day, it happens. If this co-worker is hindering the progress of the company in some major way, you should speak up.
The most important thing, aside from staying professional, is to keep your cool. No matter how much you dislike someone, or how strongly your personalities clash, try to remain calm. If you lose your cool, and go ballistic, it’s going to look worse for you, than the person you’re trying to report.
In most cases, you can just ignore this difficult co-worker, if they work in a different department, or building, or office. In some cases, you’re supposed to work closely with this person, and can’t ignore them, and have to deal with them. In that case, the only advice I can offer is to show them the same level of respect that they show you. No matter how much, or how little that may be.
Question Asked: What Should I Remember To Do On My Last Day At A Job?
In response to How Do I Prepare For My First Day At A New Job, a follow up question has been submitted, asking about what to remember to do on your last day at a job.
Let’s start with the obvious; pack up all the stuff that you own. Don’t try to take anything that the company provided to you, including any office supplies. They notice that sort of stuff, and will probably take the funds out of your last paycheck.
Clean up the desk you had, and try to get it back into the same shape it was in when you started. If it was a mess when you started, go above and beyond. Chances are, you’re leaving your current job because you’ve found something better on some way or another. Don’t let that deter you from making nice with your bosses. You may need them for a reference some day. Don’t burn bridges.
The not-so-obvious; if your company does them, be sure to do an exit interview. Voice your thoughts in a well spoken manner. Don’t use profanity. Don’t tell the HR person that your boss is a complete tool (even if he/she is.)
Get contact information for anyone that you want to keep in touch with. E-mail address, phone number, Facebook page, whatever else you’re comfortable asking for.
No matter how much you hated your job, leave on a positive note. Shake your boss’ hand, thank them for the opportunity, and wish them well. You never know when you may need a reference from them in the future.