How to negotiate a job offer in a recession, Part 2 -

How to negotiate a job offer in a recession, Part 2 - I hope you read Part 1You need to know your value proposition, research, know what you value and have a good understanding of the organization and its needs. Now You have an actual offer. Now what? How can you negotiate for the best possible deal? Instead of saying OK to an offer, it may be beneficial to pause and say HMMM. According to Jack Chapman, the well-known career consultant, telecoach, and author of Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute, this single technique enables more people to negotiate a better salary than any other. In other words, dont jump at the first offer. This single technique along with the following information will assist you in obtaining the most favorable compensation package. It is very important to thank them for the offer and indicate that you are looking forward to getting it in writing so you can review it carefully. Its ALWAYS important to negotiate. You dont want to leave money on the table, so to speak. I can tell you stories of two people, equally qualified, from the same school, similar experiences, who wound up with the same job but unequal salaries because one failed to ask if it was negotiable. Its also a good idea in many industries to ask if there is a signing bonus! This is another example of an opportunity to leave money on the table! What are some behaviors youll want to incorporate into the negotiation? While you dont want to jump at the offer, you do want to indicate that you are excited about the job and remind the organization of why they chose you. This is not the time to remind the organization about the tuition you need to pay for your son in college or for your penchant for designer clothing! Focus negotiations on your value. Its a good idea to remind the decision makers of everything you bring to the table. Keep it positive and be flexible and a team player throughout the process. Remember you want to work with these people! What do you want to consider regarding the offer? Again, be prepared! Whats your bottom number? Is there a salary you MUST earn, no matter what? Decide if there is, and recognize that you may lose the offer if it doesnt work out. Be ready to explain why you believe you are asking for a specific salary. Evaluate a companys entire benefit plan. Sometimes, the hiring manager will not be able to negotiate the salary up. Think outside of the box and be creative in your negotiating. Look at the entire package. Think about negotiating using: Vacation time, flexible hours, tuition reimbursement Overtime, days off, relocation expenses, stock options Company car, expense accounts, bonuses, etc. Benefits (health, retirement, disability, stock options, education assistance) Relocation expenses, reimbursement for commuting costs What every negotiator needs to remember: Never burn bridges communicate in an open and thoughtful manner. If you arent prepared to walk away, dont offer ultimatums. Look for the common points use them to negotiate. Its a good idea to practice your techniques (Im happy to help!) and prepare as you would for an interview. With the right attitude and preparation, you will be set to earn what you are worth, even in a down economy! photo by ingorr

How to Write a Resume by Hand

How to Write a Resume by HandIf you're just starting out in your career, it can be difficult to know where to start, which is why many people are writing a resume by hand. However, knowing the basics of resume writing can be a big help, and here's how you can learn how to write a resume by hand and stay on track.* Skill level: Many beginners have problems with vocabulary and grammar and this can lead to trouble when they are filling out their resume. That's why it's important to consider the skill level of the person who is doing the writing for you. If you have children or a family, they may not need professional writing skills, but if you want to impress that first job interview, it might be wise to send them some samples of your work.* The resume itself: Just as much as you can put down any information in the resume, you also have to understand how the resume should be formatted and organized. In fact, many companies use a format which is called the rolling format. This is a reall y neat system because it automatically adjusts itself to make sure that the resume flows through the entire document and at the same time covers all of the necessary information.* Number of pages: Again, this is another area that can cause problems if the job is larger than one page. One thing you should look for in a company is that they have been around for a while, and they use a format that is similar to your own. It can be tempting to add on more to your resume, but it's best to keep things simple and tight.* Formatting: Make sure that you check out the formatting of the company you are applying to, and take a look at the information that you are including in the cover letter. As a resume writer, it's also a good idea to check out your own resume and see what it says.Learning these tips will go a long way towards making you successful at your job search. At first, you may find that you make a lot of mistakes, but as you practice and continue to hone your skills, you'll eventual ly get better and be able to do a great job. However, if you're unsure of how to start, there are always resources out there for you to learn the basics of resume writing.After all, it can be helpful to know how to do this once you've achieved a successful career in your chosen field. You never know how successful your career will be, so having a few little tricks up your sleeve can be a big help!