Articles - The Voice of Job Seekers

Is Social Media Keeping You From Getting A Job?

Editors note: Sandra Tedford (@WeTalkToday), CEO of WeTalkToday.com and her guest post aligns with my belief that job seeker’s discretion using social media is essential to the job search.

Have you ever posted to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, only to discover afterwards you had typos, misspelled words and used more words than necessary?

Then you think better change that, because all my old classmates who thought I was so smart in the tenth grade will see this.

Gotta protect the rep, right?

Effective communication, in business and as a job seeker can either make or break your chances at landing that much coveted contract or getting hired.

When we post to social media websites, we sometimes find ourselves editing our words to make sure we don’t sound like an idiot.

That’s a good thing.

However, what do you do when someone throws fighting words at you? Maybe you’ve pushed the limit, by responding with a few choice expletives. Well, maybe this one doesn’t apply to you.

Nevertheless, it’s essential for everyone participating in online discussions of some sort to be a good communicator. What we write is just as important and can have lasting impact, as the pictures we post.

We share about vacations, new restaurants, celebrities, shopping experiences, online purchases, friends, family and the list goes on. Sharing our experiences helps us express ourselves to others.

When we post to social media websites and the post is long it forces us to choose our words carefully. Being a good communicator can open doors that you didn’t even know were there. Here are a few tips to use to make communicating easier and a lot less time consuming.

1. Don’t Be Long Winded. Replace words with a larger character count, with shorter words of a similar meaning. Writing on Facebook and Twitter in particular, forces us to be concise in the words we use to convey our thoughts to the reader.

2. Be Prepared To Give An Answer. When we write online we may be subject to criticism when someone disagrees with our post. How would you respond? Are you short, using some very choice expletives to convey your thoughts? Or, do you turn the other cheek?

3. Provide Value Added Feedback. When you comment on someone’s blog, provide comments that offer value to readers. The articles author and the readers will appreciate you taking the time to provide thought provoking feedback, rather than the standard “great article” or “good post”.

If a potential employer or company looking for a contractor to do business with, contacts you on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter, what would you say? And yes, they are looking on Facebook and Twitter. Would you be embarrassed by your posts or tweets? I’m not saying everyone has to be buttoned down, however, make sure whatever you post online today, is not going to somehow embarrass you in the future.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

4 More Ways of Basic Salary and Employment Negotiation

A friend recently negotiated a $10,000 bump in a salary offer because he used reasoning with a company that came after him. The current company paid $16,000 for his master’s degree, and asked the approaching company to invest part of what he would have to pay back. The company was impressed and agreed to work with him. Note that he only requested a portion and not the whole. Negotiation is an critical discussion in closing the deal. The ideal approach sets the tone for a prosperous career. Remember, reasonable. Read on!

1. Patient salary negotiation earns respect from employers

If you are tactful and respectful in making a request for anything using sound reason, the reciprocated respect is worth more than a salary bump. The word “REASON” is a powerful negotiation tool because it can make or break your efforts. To present a reason as a one-way often fails because the candidate is self-seeking. To offer sound reasoning is a value exchange: “I would like to work from home a day or two a week in exchange for working 6-8 hours overtime at the office.” This may work better with an employer who promotes work/life balance but it is only an offer.

2. You’re experienced. How about flexible?

If you have given a range of an expected salary, I hope is a thought-out, calculated, and measured answer. What about the other issues important to you, such as schedule, benefits, and perhaps holidays? If you have read articles on negotiation, they will say you should create a “must-have” list. Remember, be reasonable in requesting your “must-haves.” Negotiate with the professional relationship in mind.

3. Wait for it…in writing

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If you want clarity wait for the offer in writing before convening the Geneva convention. Depending on the professional level, the offer based on the value communicated. In lower level professions (hourly wage) the wiggle room is very small, which means you will have to consider non-salary negotiations (not true for every case but common).

An article in The Central New York Business Journal suggested,

If the desired salary isn’t available…make sure a position will offer other incentives prove beneficial later in a job candidate’s career.

Top Mistakes Professionals Make When Negotiating Their Salary. (2011). Business Journal (Central New York), 25(20), 10.

4. Salary negotiation is not a list of demands. It’s a business conversation

This approach is easier on both parties. No one is holding anyone hostage. Understand that for each “must-have” or request you make, expect requests. The success of this meeting will be the positive energy and mutual satisfaction (as stated in #6). Anything less than that you lose. Like the song says, “Know when to hold ‘em, and know when to fold ‘em…”

Again, the advice is basic, and by all means, read books on the subject if you desire a thorough knowledge base. Successful knowledge base rooted in expert knowledge of the value you offer and how to ask for what you want. Do you have tips to share? Please share in the comments.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Basic Salary and Employment Negotiation (Part 1)

Many job seekers ask about negotiating salary, yet never get in leveraging position. It is a passing thought or just too passive to strategize. There are also times when a job seeker doesn’t make enough money is understandable. It is also misunderstood knowing what it is and how it is an important part of accepting a job.

I am not a negotiation expert, but coached others on negotiating. There are some basics that could change the approach to employment. I have learned throughout several situations that negotiations are like an oscillating fan that it can blow everything off the table that isn’t stapled or bound. That happens to job candidates who concern themselves at the last moment and leave money on the table to be blown off.

1. Negotiation starts at the beginning of the last job

Before meeting or knowing the working relationship down the line, the best leverage is the new training and added responsibilities of last job. If you are passing on updated workshops, and training on new company initiatives, you are letting your career pass you by. Not to mention, as the clichés goes, leaving money on the table.

A willingness to learn or a teachable spirit doesn’t make you a well-qualified candidate. Employers ideal candidate can operate the car (so to speak) and teachable enough to learn where to go.

2. Negotiation is a plan throughout time, not an event

Negotiation strategy is effective before the first interview, and after the offer has been accepted. Beginning to plan after the first or second interview is too late. I am not suggesting but discourage any salary discussion during the interview other than to inject and reiterate value. If you cannot clearly assert your qualifications, your value will be a questioned.

Bill Holland, the author of Cracking the New Job Market: The 7 Rules for Getting Hired in Any Economy, and a widely regarded career expert states that,

Preparation is helpful, timing is crucial. If you communicate your preconditions to a company before you even land the job, you are violating the rule about delivering worth.

3. Negotiation is competitive AFTER they want you

Some candidates become comfortable after the negotiation begins. It is a big mistake. It is likely you are the first candidate they want but NOT exclusively. How you carry yourself, and enduring measurement against the second candidate on the list. Character flaws like arrogance and lacking discipline can make you undesired.

4. Negotiation is strategic

Most experts will insist that negotiation is a win-win process and I agree 100% that there is no other way. The way you lose is guessing your value (again, not always salary), and employers will not lose because someone will take something less than you. Research and plan but don’t wait for a special sign from God in form of a halo and a glowing ball. There are resources like Glassdoor.com to use for salary and culture research.

5. You don’t receive because you refuse to ask

As the lead hiring manager once upon a time, my director told me the rules of communicating to HR what to salary negotiate, but not one person negotiated salary. Fearing the unknown is a real and debilitating. Preparation and research is the great equalizer if you put in the time and effort.

Part 2 will be posted Wednesday. Do you struggle with any of these points? Please share in the comment section.