Salary Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Voice of Job Seekers

Someone told me not to take a job that won’t pay me what I’m worth

Someone recently asked me a salary negotiation question. I am not always crazy about the “pay me what I’m worth” statements. She wanted to know what I thought about what she was told by her best friend, “Don’t take a job that won’t pay me what I’m worth?” She said, “I am asking because I hear it often. I have been out of work six months and I’m ready to take the first offer. How do you feel about this advice?”

I responded:

It depends on the job seekers circumstance. There is not a one answer fitting all circumstances. In general, it’s terrible general advice because many people are not driven by money. Many people are energized by a career that’s lined up with his or her personal values. It is more important the impact of what they do is personally rewarding than being well paid.

At the same time, you should have a deep understanding of your value. You may not see it now, but in years to come without negotiating your salary is careless. You should always negotiate your salary and understand your market value. Always. Otherwise, the money you neglect to ask for will be lost in just a few years.

Mind shift

In fact, you must shift you mind. It is not only a salary negotiation, it’s a compensation package negotiation. You must consider the whole package than just being paid your worth. It’s right in principle, and wrong in focus. You’re worth is cash.

Areas to negotiate:

Salary

Salary increases

Days per week/month in the office

Time off

Perks

Educational Opportunities

Flex schedules and more!

Then again…

Not to take a job solely due to the lack of money for those who either in control of their career trajectory or they don’t understand the breadth of his or her profession. If you know the rigor of your profession requires mental or physical preparation or recovery, then you need to consider the compensation package accordingly.

People think its good advice because of their own values and feelings about money. It’s not good for anyone who cares about a career meaning more than money. Having meaning and money is ideal, but not always realistic. Many times you can only have one or the other. Whenever you get advice, you must translate it appropriately to your values and expectations.

I just worked with a nurse whose passion is traveling to third world countries as part of a group to help with its medical and spiritual needs. Although she works for a large hospital in a ideal situation, she is planning to do this full-time in the near future. She doesn’t care about the income, but looks forward to immersing herself into helping the poverty-stricken. She knows what the market value is for some of the work she’ll do and understands the range, but she looks for the value in the experience.

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.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

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:

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

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

About Mark Anthony Dyson

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

Image credit

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.