Friday, November 29, 2019

Considering a Job Offer How to Know if Its Right for You

Considering a Job Offer How to Know if Its Right for YouConsidering a Job Offer How to Know if Its Right for YouIn the challenge to find the right job and salary for every phase of your life, its easy to jump on a job offer without taking time to consider whether or not its really right for you. Its important to take a moment (or 24 hours) to consider the offer before you accept it. No matter how nice it might feel to be done with the job hunt, youll only be back to it quickly if you accept a job thats not the best fit for you.The bottom line of an offer is rarely just the salary. To make koranvers you give the offer a comprehensive evaluation, there are two ways you should approach a job offer. The first is with the facts of the offer and the second is with the art and instinct of the interview process. Heres how to make sure its the right offer for you.Dissect the Facts of the OfferFirst, take a look at the hard details of the position. Consider both your experience in the industry as well as your research based on the companys listed salary ranges, openings and history via the Simply Hired Now Hiring feature. Use this data to take the following stepsAssess and negotiate the salary. No matter what the offer, prepare yourself to negotiate the salary. You can wait a year for a 3 percent bump or negotiate that bump from the get-go and be a year ahead of the curve. If you cant make any headway with a salary increase- after all, some operating budgets are set in stone- ask about signing bonuses or retention bonuses, which often come out of a different budget than regular salaries.Compare the title. Compare the title with other companies and with what is normal for your industry. If youre considering a trendy title like Social Media Cat Herder, or Chief Happiness Officer, it could indicate something about the general attitude and approach of the company (for better or worse). Also consider how the title could represent more seniority. If your experience warrants it , request a no-cost upgrade like Senior or Lead.Closely evaluate your benefits. The kinds of benefits a company offers can speak volumes about its priorities. Keep in mind that benefits come out of a companys overhead, which comes out of your paycheck. Truly amazing benefits might sometimes lead companies to cut salaries below market to even out the cost. On the other hand, companies with bare bones benefits might indicate an executive team thats out of touch with the needs of its workers.I used two of these tactics to negotiate a new position with a marketing startup several years ago. After asking a significant number of questions about the position and the role within the company, it became clear that I would be the only person behind the marketing strategies of several large brands.Though the executive team couldnt budge on the salary, I was able to negotiate a title that included the word Senior, as well as a modest signing bonus in exchange for a 1-year contract with the compa ny. If I hadnt decided to evaluate the position and comparable jobs in the area, I might have missed out on a few thousand dollars and a more desirable title on my resume.If all of these features align to make a good opportunity, move on to the next step of evaluating your gut instincts about the company and the position.Tease Out Your Instincts behind the OfferWith all of the resources available to job seekers today, analyzing the facts has become the easy part of evaluating a job offer. The hard part is quieting your analytical mind to figure out what your gut is telling you about the opportunity. Here are four questions you need to ask yourself before you say Yes.Consider the timeline. The speed at which the HR manager moves can speak volumes about how a company operates. Did the first few rounds of the interview and the offer come around very quickly? A blinding timeline might indicate that the company is scrambling to cover a replacement that didnt give two-week notice. This ma y be a one-off challenge for the HR team, but it also may indicate a general attitude that team members are replaceable.Reflect on how the people made you feel. Without remembering specific conversations, whats your first impression about the company representatives youve interviewed with? Were they timely on their calls or late every time? Did they take time to get to know you, or did they mostly talk about themselves and the company? If your interviews were onsite, how well taken care of was the office environment? Did the people you passed in the halls or lunchroom look energized or a little unhappy to be there? Youve soaked in all of these details, so make sure you reflect on them to build your overall impression.Evaluate the 1-year and 5-year potential for growth of this position. Smart career moves leave the door open for advancement, even when youre satisfied with your workload and responsibilities. You may not want a promotion now, but what if you change your mind in a few m onths and find yourself stuck in your new job? Evaluate the potential for growth over the next few years to make sure you have a way out if you want to have one.Consider the 5-year and 10-year potential for growth of this company and industry. Are you teaming with an established company in an industry thats dying out, or maybe an unproven startup in an industry that is taking off? Have you been reading headlines about how this industry is on its way out or its way up? And what are the transferable skills you can learn on this job in case you find yourself laid off, outsourced or otherwise unemployed? You may not have the responsibility of charting a new course for a company or industry, but your career depends on making strategic decisions about which skills to develop and which to leave behind.The final questions on this list have been very powerful to me as a writer. Instead of targeting traditional writing industries such as publishing and journalism, I saw early on that these fo rms of communication were going through rapid and tremendous change. Rather than fight my way into an actively shifting and competitive industry, I tried to look ahead to where the future was headed for the published word. For me, that led to a fulfilling path in digital marketing and blogging, two skills that have a lot in common with traditional print media but are worlds apart in terms of long-term sustainability.Excited? You should be. But dont let your excitement lead you to overlook important facts and feelings that come with the job offer. Evaluate the tangible and intangible facts about the job offer to make sure youre making the best decision for your career.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

The only 8 words you need to motivate you to take action

The only 8 words you need to motivate you to take actionThe only 8 words you need to motivate you to take actionPress on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will bedrngnislage nothing is more common than unsuccessful (people)with talent. Genius will not the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. ?- Ray KrocThe next time you find yourself sitting there gazing at your smartphone, somehow expecting the answers are magically going to come to you, remind yourself first - it never works that way. And second, think of this great line from the movie Boiler Room,Motion Creates EmotionI say this because the biggest thing that holds all of us back isIndecisionComplacencySitting still and believe it or not, what may actually be worseTepid action. Lukewarm, half-hearted, uninspired, simply-not-gonna-get the job done action.Ive seen this manifest itself in my life, and Ive seen so many very intelligent peoples career d reams crash and burn because they just werent persistent enough. They didnt know the right way to communicate. They thought they were doing the right thing, but they werent truly going all-in and giving things maximum effort.Please dont make the saatkorn mistake. You and I will make mistakes throughout our lives, and well find that we actually improve and learn from those mistakes. But some mistakes tend to compound themselves, making it harder to rise from our feet. And no mistake is more damaging than repeatedly giving a half-ass effort. You must give things maximum attitude and effort if you want to live the life you dream about.A story to tellEarlier in my career, I had a manager who genuinely cared about both my personal and professional development. It welches more the tough love type of encouragement and motivation that I needed.I was trying to move forward and make progress on some important tasks but I seemed to keep running into the typical red tape that plagues many organ izations Poor responsiveness to communications multi-tasking and missed deadlines. I wasnt getting responses. But then again, I was doing virtually everything by e-mail. Maybe an occasional phone call.When I explained this to my boss, he patiently sat there and listened to everything I had to say. When I stopped talking he asked, Are you finished? Because heres my adviceGET OFF YOUR ASS AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.The point was taken.It was blunt, somewhat startling, but the exact medicine that I needed. I was doing something, but I wasnt doing enough. Sending emails werent as effective as physically getting up and meeting with someone to send the message I needed. The act and art of face-to-face communication was needed for me to complete my work.It was needed for me to build the vital relationships in the organization with executives and senior-level influencers. It was needed for increased exposure and opportunities that would only help me grow and build confidence.Sitting behind my compu ter was getting me nowhere. Its a story, for sure, but its also a microcosm for where so many of us find ourselves all throughout our lives and career.We complain about not knowing the way.We complain about not getting a response for that opportunity we want.We get so complacent when we dont get what we want, and sometimes we stop right there and dont think about what could be a more effective way. Far worse, we stop altogether and give up.Focus on taking actionThe only thing worse than starting something and failing is not starting something. - Seth GodinPart of the pitfall of living in a digital world is thinking that everything is going to come to us as instantly as the delivery of a Direct Message via Twitter. No matter how old you are, think about how truly astonishing it is that someone in Jakarta can send a message that is instantly received by someone in Buenos Aires. Communication, at the speed of now.There is a way to give your all without burning out. There is a way to me et your obligations without feeling like youre running around like a chicken with your head cut off. You have to start with planning, but heres where most people get it wrong They put together a plan, thinking it wont change, and then end up terribly disappointed when their plan falls apart.Life changes and as a result, plans must be modified accordingly. I encourage you to bake into every plan the values that will carry you, enabling you to flourish and sustain you when you think youve hit too devastating a setback Values like persistence, perseverance, hard work, optimism, courage, and hope. These things are the bedrock foundation for success.So what are you waiting for? The world is not going to come to you. Theres too many other qualified people. Theres way more effective ways to get things done that earn results. You cant just sit around and function at lukewarm. Get inspired. Get fired up. Get off your ass and make it happenGet moving into high gearJoin my newsletter and check out my bestselling book, The Value of You. This will give you inspiration to start planning for success on your journey. If youre interested in working with me try me here.This article first appeared on Medium.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

How to Answer Why Do You Want to Work Here Interview Question

How to Answer Why Do You Want to Work Here Interview QuestionHow to Answer Why Do You Want to Work Here Interview QuestionQuick NavigationWhy hiring managers ask, Why do you want to work here?Surprising ways employers ask, Why do you want to work here?How to answer, Why do you want to work here?Example answers to use in an interviewWhen you interview for a new position, the hiring manager might ask Why do you want to work here? Finding out what interests you about the job, your reasons for applying and what makes you think you would be a good fit are three of the main reasons interviewers ask this question. With the right answer, you will have a much better chance of impressing your interviewer and convincing them that you are the best partie for the job.Why hiring managers ask, Why do you want to work here?Some interview questions address the responsibilities and skills of the job you applied for, but many interviewers may also want to learn more about your career goals and if this position fits into your plan. Your answer can illustrate how this job can help you grow professionally.A hiring manager may ask why you want to work at the company to determine if you are genuinely interested in the job. Employees that care about their job are more likely to be motivated and excel in their positions. You can use your answer to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity and show that you care about both your success and the success of the company.Learn moraHow to Answer Why Should We Hire You Interview QuestionSurprising ways employers ask, Why do you want to work here?While hiring managers are likely to ask why you want to work for their company, the question may not always be in the same format. Your interviewer could frame the question in such a way to find out what you know about the company and to find out your reasons for submitting your application.Here are the different ways an interviewer can ask you, Why do you want to work here?What interests you abou t the position?What made you decide to apply for this job?Why are you interested in working for this company?Why do you want this job?How does this position fit your professional goals?How to answer, Why do you want to work here?Providing a clear and effective answer to this question can help the interviewer see your future with their company. Here are three steps to crafting a response to prove you are a strong candidateUnderstand your goals and motivations.Before the interview, think about what you hope to gain in this position and how your goals can help the company achieve its own. Review the job description and write down what the company is looking for in a candidate.Research the company.Search the companys website and About Us page to better understand their mission, goals and values. You can also search their social media platforms, company review pages, press releases and other news articles regarding their history and events.Highlight your qualifications.Using your goals a nd the company research, identify specific qualities and skills you would add to their company. Compare your motivations and skills to determine what ways you match their requirements. Measure their mission, goals and values with your own, and showcase how you can promote their company culture and help them succeed.RelatedHow to Answer Tell Me About Yourself Interview QuestionExample answers to use in an interviewReading example answers to this common interview question can help you formulate your own response. Here are some example answers to get you startedExample 1 Speaking on the companys valuesI read that your company is involved in community outreach like sponsoring last months local food drive. Volunteering has always been one of my passions, and I welches very excited to learn that your company shares this passion. When I saw that you were hiring for this position, I was excited about the opportunity to incorporate volunteer time into my next job.Example 2 Focusing on the co mpanys productsSee alsoHow to Answer What Does Customer Service Mean to You Interview QuestionI have used your products for a few years now, and I appreciate your focus on innovation and improving user experience. Providing demos and free trials are effective ways to encourage loyal customers to try your new releases and invite new customers to try them as well. I would be proud to be a part of your team and to use my skills to contribute to the innovative work that your company is known for.Example 3 Showcasing your skillsI love collaborating with other people, and I feel that my ability to lead successful team projects makes me the perfect fit for this position. The position excites me because of the opportunity to work alongside some of the most skilled professionals in this field, and Im ready for the opportunity to innovate new products and improve the quality of existing products that your customers love.Example 4 Praising the companys reputation and cultureYour company has a sterling track record for industry leadership. The testimonials Ive read from your current and former employees show me that your company values its employees and provides training and educational opportunities to help them learn new skills and grow as professionals. Working in such an encouraging environment has been a dream of mine, and I believe that I would be a valuable addition to your team.Learn MoreComplete Guide to Common Interview Questions and Answers