Did you deserve that raise

Did you deserve that raiseDid you deserve that raiseMost of the advice out there on how to get a raise is focused on the wrong end of the process.It focuses on steadying your nerves, making a big list of accomplishments, and preparing yourself for the big moment in the anfhrer office.And its entirely wrong.Its like telling people to buy insurance after the flood. Its too late, and its not going to bring your broken dreams back to life.The best time to buy insurance is long before the storm.And the best time to earn your raise is now. Youll receive it later, when the proof of your performance shines through. But the best time to earn it is right now.How?Have a reality check with your bossWhat is the environment for raises at your company? Understanding the overall economic picture that your company, your CEO, and your boss face gives you a better sense of your ability to earn raises at your present employer.Is the industry or company hamstrung by changes bigger than you? Is there a ti ny pool each year? Or is it boon times and ready money for everyone to grab their share? Are the rewards going to keep flowing so long as the results keep improving?And what kind of raise process does your company follow? Is the reward system opaque or open to everyone? Is the company pretty straightforward about what behavior they need to see for compensation increases to be justified? Or do they play it closer to the vest?Who gets raises at your company? Whats been the actual experience in your team / group / teilen over the past 5 years? Did a lot of people get bumped up a lot of the time? Or is it cost-of-living only? Are high performers rewarded? Are high performers rewarded disproportionately?And what does that mean for you? What are your boss expectations for next year? How would she/he suggest you manage your expectations?These conversations tend to go better if you can come across as insistent and achievement-driven, rather than pushy and off-putting. But you do have to rea lize, it is going to be a *little* uncomfortable.The above questions are meant to be as non-threatening as these conversations can be, especially if done a full year ahead of the next salary review. They exhibit a high level of interest in successful performance and understanding your companys rewards. Couched in this light, they also make the raise conversation the least risky, and the lowest pressure, it can ever be.Have a plan with your bossWhen you understand the companys raise environment, the next step is to have a plan for your own performance over the next year.What are your boss performance expectations for you this year? Have you detailed what you need to do to be a good performer? To be a high performer? Do you have a written plan that both you and your boss have agreed on?If not approach your boss during your 1-on-1 with thisId like to have all the facts about the best way to succeed. What do I need to do to deliver to expectations this year? What do I need to do to exce ed? What will get me an average raise? What will get me a big raise? What is an average raise around here? Whats a big raise?The answers here are illuminating. If you manager, through no fault of their own, has to be circumspect and cagey in his answers, that tells you something about how easy it is to get ahead at your current employer of choice.PerformLook, theres nothing that is ever going to earn you a raise better than out-performing. You can have the best conversations, best plan, and best allocation of your own time and resources.But if you dont perform if you dont over-perform - you wont be getting compensation increases, and you especially wont be getting increases in excess of the average.Armed with the information from your boss, figure out your plan to outperform. Determine how you are going to make the most of your hours each week. Focus your time and attention and your capabilities on the things that are most important to your boss and your company.Importantly, figure out what you dont need to do, and shouldnt do. This time can be better spent on more productive activities.Performance - excellent performance - is the only way to truly get ahead and stay ahead.And that is all up to you.Im rooting for you

The 8 Best Job Apps to Get You Hired

The 8 Best Job Apps to Get You HiredThe 8 Best Job Apps to Get You HiredThe Best Job-Search Apps to Get You HiredSearch for your dream job while on the go with the best job-search apps available.From ordering food to looking for love, theres an app for that. The job search is no different. These days, looking for a job doesnt mean combing through newspaper listings or being confined to desktop websites. Instead, there are a number of job-search apps and job-search tips that can help you stay connected and on top of your job hunt, even while on the go.Are you ready to find your perfect match using an app? Here are the best job apps (in no particular order) all job seekers should know about.LinkUpWhat makes this one of the best job-search apps? If youre tired of being misled by outdated listings, LinkUp ensures that youre only checking out the latest jobs. No fake jobs or scam listings here. LinkUp allows users to search for opportunities on company websites using filters such as keywo rds, company, and location. The app also allows you to save and view previous searches or favorites and apply directly via your mobile device.Cost FreeCompatible With iPad, iPhone, and AndroidWhere to Findlinkup.com/Jobs by CareerBuilder.comIf CareerBuilder.com is one of your favorite sites for job searching, youll be a fan of this app. The user-friendly interface gives you the power of CareerBuilder.com wherever you go with instant access to search and apply to nearly two million job postings at any time.Cost FreeCompatible With iPhone, iPad, and AndroidWhere to Findcareerbuilder.com/mobileSnagajobSnagajob provides you with immediate access to their database of new job listings and even matches you with jobs that are a good fit. In addition to the one-click apply feature, Snagajob allows you to show off your personality to employers. You can add a personality quiz to your profile, or even a video, to stand out from the other applicants and let hiring managers know a bit more about you.Cost FreeCompatible With iPhone, iPad, and AndroidWhere to FindiTunes and Google PlayJobAwareWhy does this job-search app make the list? JobAware offers everything from salary comparisons to LinkedIn account integration to help you take advantage of your network. While results are provided by indeed.com, the app also allows the use of LinkedIn for job discovery. If a job looks like it could be right for you, youre given the vorkaufsrecht of searching more jobs by that company, viewing the source, sharing the job (via email, Twitter, or Facebook), and tracking the job.Cost FreeCompatible With iPhone, iPad, and AndroidWhere to FindiTunes and Google PlayRelatedFree Job-Search Tools Every Job Seeker NeedsLinkedIn Job SearchAccording to LinkedIn, applicants who apply to jobs on the first day theyre posted are 10 percent more likely to be hired. Make sure youre the first to apply with this easy-to-use app. With customizable search tools, job alerts, and company information, youll have all the information you need to apply and connect with the right contacts.Cost FreeCompatible With iPhone, iPad, and AndroidWhere to FindiTunes and Google PlaySwitchIf swiping left and right on Tinder works for you in the dating department, Switch may be the job-search app for you. While browsing job postings, you can swipe right if interested and left if not. On the other side, the hiring managers are swiping left and right on potential candidates. If you show interest in a position and its hiring manager does the same with your profile, then you can directly chat with the hiring manager using the apps messaging feature.Cost FreeCompatible With iPhone, iPad, and AndroidWhere to Findswitchapp.comGlassdoorSee the latest jobs with Glassdoors easy-to-use job search app. Save interesting jobs so youll never miss out and when youre ready to apply on your computer, all of your saved jobs will be waiting for you. The app also makes it easy to stay up to date on the latest company reviews, salary reports, and bewerbungsgesprch questions that are shared by employees.Cost FreeCompatible With iPhone, iPad, and AndroidWhere to Findglassdoor.com/apps.htmZipRecruiterGet a leg up on the competition by setting up personalized job alerts to notify you when new jobs are posted. The ZipRecruiter app makes it easy to apply to jobs immediately, without waiting to get home to your laptop. First, upload your resume from Dropbox or Google Drive or import it straight from LinkedIn. Then, set up job alerts to receive a daily email with jobs that may be a match for you. Search millions of jobs from hundreds of the top job boards anytime, anywhere.Cost FreeCompatible With iPhone, iPad, and AndroidWhere to Find iTunes and Google PlayClick on the following link for more job-search advice.Now that you downloaded some of these new apps, its time to get your resume together. Request a free resume critique todayRecommended ReadingGo Green, Job Search-StyleFinding a Job on the Go A Mobile Resu me5 Signs Its Time to Hire a Professional Resume Writer

Top 4 Body Blunders in the Job Interview

Top 4 Body Blunders in the Job InterviewTop 4 Body Blunders in the Job InterviewTop 4 Body Blunders in the Job InterviewDespite what you may have assumed about the term body blunders, Im bedrngnis talking about passing gas though you should try REALLY hard not to let that happen in an interview. Im talking about your body language and the signals your movements send. Heres a short list of the biggest body blunders that could ruin your interview no matter how skilled or qualified you are.Dodgy eye contact. Like when you were a child and your mother accused you of stealing a candy bar from the grocery store you know you did it, but you dont want to admit it, so you look at the floor, the ceiling, her shoes anywhere but her eyes. Similarly, if you dont make eye contact in the interview, your absoluts will lack credibility and youll be less likely to get your point across strongly.Nervous twitching. Rubbing your nose. Scratching your arm. Bouncing your leg. Adjusting your seat. Laughing inappropriately. Doing one of these things in limited quantity shouldnt make an impact on the interviewers opinion of you. But doing all of them (or a few of them repeatedly) during the entire interview will definitely leave the interviewers talking about you and not in a good way.Too many ums, ahs, and likes. Shooting glances around the room and inserting seven ums in a ten-word sentence, or saying like after every other word will show that you a) are a poor communicator, and b) dont believe in what youre saying. Maybe neither of these is true, but your nerves will indicate otherwise.Blabbering. If you dont pay attention to exactly what the interviewer is asking, youre more inclined to ramble through your answer. I recently overheard two managers whose main complaint about a job candidate theyd just interviewed was that he went on for what seemed like an eternity, responding to a question that should have only taken a couple of sentences to answer. Word of advice Dont do that.So ho w do you avoid these blunders? Simple Do the opposite of each function. Maintain eye contact, sit still, speak well, and be precise.You may have the skills and experience theyre looking for, but many times the one who gets the job offer is the one they like.