The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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Our Holiday Gift to Job Seekers (PODCAST)

Our Holiday Gift to Job Seekers (PODCAST)

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In the holiday edition, Keith and Bianca join me in giving out gifts in the form of advice and suggestions to job seekers. All of us want to say “jobs” but would that really be a useful gift? I know that I struggled with this question, and I would like to lend your thoughts in the conversation, 

“What would you give as a gift to job seekers?”

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Bianca, shared that she would give each job seeker the book, The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz cited in an article she wrote last spring, “What is not so Human About Human Resources?” The Four Agreements are:

  1. Be impeccable with your word
  2. Don’t take anything personally
  3. Don’t make assumptions
  4. Always do your best

Keith offers a blanket gift in giving job seekers whatever they wished (I knew he would do that) but his points were valid in stating that most job seekers would just like to have cash to decide what he or she wishes to do. Honestly, Keith wrestles with this question as I do because just giving a job just would serve many for the long term yet, it would be something everyone needs.

Would any employed, unemployed, or under employed person be prepared for the job of his or her dreams?

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Keith actually voiced what I thought in raising minimum wages to $12.00. My contention is it would substantially help many the poor and under educated to make a better living.

I am very interested in your thoughts on either question. Please, enjoy our conversation.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Nelson Mandela: Inspiration to Job Seekers

Nelson Mandela: Inspiration to Job Seekers

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This is an episode offering inspiration to job seekers or for anyone. Keith (virtualizedgeek.com), Bianca, and I shared some of our thoughts from Nelson Mandela’s quotes below. The show’s purpose is to inspire everyone, but specifically job seekers who are struggling to find light to encourage their hearts. We realize that a few job seekers are a quote away from being successfully employed or a decision away from giving up.

Sometimes job search techniques alone fall short of remaining steadfast and motivated.

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These are quotes we discussed but I’ll post the rest we considered as well:

  • “There is no passion to be found playing small–in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”  
  • “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The Brave Man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
  • “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
  • “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.”
  • “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”
  • “In my country, we go prison first and then become President.”
  • “Know your enemy__and learn about his favorite sport.”
  • “It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that sparates one person from another.”
We don’t mind if you share some of your own thoughts on the blog in the comments section published on TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com.  Originally, I was going to insert a holiday job tip this week but I wanted this show to focus offering a tribute to Nelson Mandela, who is more to the world than he is to solely South Africa.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Salary Offers: Job Seekers Can Laugh or Cry

Salary Offers: Job Seekers Can Laugh or Cry

 

 

Negotiating salary or asking is a skill that few people master. Every job seeker should attempt to negotiate but it is more than salary that should be your focus.

Few are consistent in getting the results from his or her employer. Preparation, as in any hiring or review phase, is critical in the salary negotiation process, and only a thread divides success and failure. It can affect your emotions and at times, fear the result.

To prepare for this stressful but needed phase of negotiating salary your accomplishments need to be front and center. If your negotiating a raise with a current employer gather reports that establish success and workload. In either case detail is critical, if not, overwhelming. Include salary research from sites such as, Salary.com, Glassdoor.com, and The Riley Guide Salary Guides & Guidance. Proving with facts is half the battle, and quantifying your accomplishments will always make a compelling case.

Use the CNN Money Calculator if you are locating: http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html)

The employer will likely consider the following:

· Level of the position

· Needed skills and experience (see: Great Demand for STEM Job Seekers Drives Up Pay)

· Career progression

· Fair market value

· Range of salary within the organization, industry, and region

· Economic conditions of the industry

· Company climate for raises and competitive salary

Now, having said that, you should NOT negotiate salary as the only means of satisfaction. There are a few other areas that should help you increase the value of your new job experience:

  1. Vacation and time off (negotiate your upcoming time here—paid or unpaid)
  2. Personal values (I have a lot to say about this soon)
  3. Flex time
  4. Work from home option?
  5. Future raises (“If I exceed expectations…”)
  6. Health insurance
  7. Retirement plans
  8. Bonuses and/or incentives
  9. Tuition reimbursement (find out what degrees are eligible)
  10. Stock options
  11. Other insurance (dental, life, etc.)
  12. Company car, laptop, or software
  13. Health club membership
  14. Professional memberships and certifications (Don’t assume the company pays!)
  15. Relocation?

Do you regularly negotiate? What are your experiences? Please share in the comment section below.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.