How to Ask for a Referral Without Embarrassing Yourself

How to Ask for a Referral Without Embarrassing YourselfHow to Ask for a Referral Without Embarrassing Yourself The most awkward networking attempt Ive ever witnessed happened in my senior year of college. A former executive at NBC who had started his own production company came to talk to the film department at my school about entertainment careers, and I went to check it out. The speaker was great - he had plenty of insight, advice and personal anecdotes, and I stayed after to chat with him a bit (mainly about our mutual love of 30 Rock if Im being honest).Ahead of me in line was another woman who, rather than asking a thoughtful question, hit him with Can you help me get an internship at your company? Unsurprisingly, he gave her a strange look, said that she should look up the opportunities available on their careers page, and moved on. After all, why in the world would he vouch for her when he didnt know anything about her?I understand why you might want to ask someone to help you get a job at their company - referrals are a powerful way to get your foot in the door, and studies have shown that recruiters view referral candidates as higher quality than other sources. But if you dont ask for one the right way, you may be doing mora to hurt your application than help it. An out-of-the-blue request like the one I witnessed can come across as pushy, crass and just plain self-serving.To help you navigate that fine line between polite and presumptuous, we reached out to experts to hear how they suggest approaching someone for a referral - here are their tips.If youre close to somebody connected to the company - be it a friend, family member or former colleague - youre in luck. Assuming you have a good relationship, they will probably be happy to help you out.Be honest with them. Tell them what it is youre ultimately looking for, and give them an idea of how they can help you, recommends career coach Carlota Zimmerman .Keep in mind, thoug h, that a request for a referral - even when asking a close friend - is not a guarantee that youll receive one. If somebody cant vouch for your work quality, they may not be comfortable putting themselves on the line for you. Because of this, its polite to give somebody an out, says Roy Cohen, career coach and author of The Wall Street Professionals Survival Guide .Build in an exit option for friends, family and colleagues. Sometimes, and to our great surprise and disappointment, the people closest to us will act weird when these sorts of requests are made, Cohen says. Rather than jeopardize the relationship, let the request go if there is any waffling.Cohen suggests saying something like I wonder if I can impose on youand its not an issue if you cant. Im trying to get a referral to company name and I seem to remember that you may know that person or know someone who does. It would really mean a lot to me. Let me explain why.If they do end up referring you, dont take it for gr anted.Afterwards, take them out to dinner, or buy them a small thank-you present, Zimmerman advises.Asking for a referral from an acquaintance - say, a friend of a friend or former coworker who you only talked to a handful of times - requires a little bit more finesse. One way to build goodwill and improve your odds of a response is reminding them of your connection to each other.It is always best if you and the acquaintance share a good mutual friend or colleague in common. That will establish your credibility as someone who is not likely to be a source of embarrassment, Cohen says. Send a brief note first to break the ice and to provide context as to why you are reaching out.Cohen suggests You may remember that you and I share so-and-so in common. I seem to recall that you may also have a connection to who you want to meet or where you want to go. I heard that there may be an opportunity there and I wanted to reach out, but I dont know anyone at the firm. Can I impose on you ? Let me tell you about my background so that you know a little bit more about me.This last part is key, Cohen says, as people we barely know or know peripherally on a social basis may have little knowledge as to our backgrounds. It is always a good idea to remind them by sharing information that they may be unaware of and that may even impress them.This will also allow them to give hiring managers and recruiters a better idea of what you have to offer, which is key if you want to get their attention.And just as you would with a friend, its nice to express your appreciation for a referral by thanking them with a phone call, note or small gift.If you dont know somebody who works at the company youre interested in, all hope is not lost. These days, you can easily go erreichbar to figure out who works at a company and reach out to them. Its best to seek out a recruiter, the hiring manager for the role or someone who is on the team youre interested in joining. Make sure that youre not a sking for too much too quickly, though, as that will turn people off of helping you.Once you reach out to someone via LinkedIn or email, always begin by expressing your gratitude, and repeat that message at the very tail end of your request, suggests Cohen.Then, use your interest in a position at the company they are working at as a way to get to know this person, advises J. Kelly, author of BUILD YOUR DREAM NETWORK Forging Powerful Relationships In A Hyper-Connected World .Kelly suggests saying I know weve recently connected on LinkedIn through XYZ, and I recently saw the X department at your company has an open position. Im intrigued by it. Any chance I could ask you a few questions about the company and the role? Use your interest as the way to start a conversation and be open to where it leads to, she adds.Ask a few questions about the company culture, responsibilities of the role, what they love about working there, etc. Then, you can begin a gentle segue into mentioning that you too would like to work for that company, shares Sara Causey, CEO of SEC Technical, LLC. Have a strong pitch ready as to why you want this referral, your goals, what you bring to the table (education, experience, expertise) and crucially, why you believe this person can help you, Zimmerman suggests. Remember that youre essentially asking a stranger to open doors for you, so how you present is how youll be perceived.Dont forget to thank the person for their time, and if they do end up providing you with a referral, keep them looped in on next steps.In any situation where you ask for a referral and someone grants it, circle back with that person on the outcome Nothing is worse than being left in the dark as to whether or not an introduction or interview came through, Cohen says. Not to mention, by following up, youre also more likely to receive help from that person again in the future.Asking for a referral may seem intimidating, but its often an effective way to head to the to p of the candidate list, so its worth the request - as long as you handle it delicately. But if you demonstrate respect for the other person, show thoughtfulness in your approach and thank them for their time, youll have nothing to worry about.

Here is why nothing fails quite like success

Here is why nothing fails quite like successHere is why nothing fails quite like successWhere were you on January 28, 1986?If youre American, and you were older than six at the time, the chances are that you know the answer to that question.On that morning, the space shuttle Challenger exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven members of its crew.A special commission appointed by President Ronald Reagan determined that the explosion resulted from a catastrophic flaw in what are called the O-rings. unterstellung rings are like rubber bands that seal the joints of the solid rocket boosters that launch the shuttle and prevent hot gases from entering into it.The problem with the O-rings wasnt new. NASA had been flying its shuttles with damaged O-rings as far back as 1981. Engineering documents described the O-ring erosion as an acceptable risk, the standard way of doing business. As one flight after another was completed successfully despite dangerous levels of erosion, NASA be gan to develop institutional tunnel vision.The anomaly eventually became the norm.Seventeen years later, it happened again.On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia blew up, killing all seven astronauts onboard. This time around, the culprit was a large piece of foam that had separated from the shuttles external fuel tank during its lift-off and struck its left wing, leaving a gaping hole in the thermal insulation.The foam debris had struck and damaged the shuttle in the past numerous times. These launches were all characterized as successes since the damage from the foam didnt compromise mission safety. As a result, foam shedding, as it was internally called at NASA, became an acceptable way of doing business, despite the serious risks it presented.NASA was able to successfully launch numerous shuttle missions, despite the erosion of the O-rings before Challenger and despite the foam shedding before Columbia.In each case, success created complacency with the status quo. Succe ss boosted egos. Success put blinders on the most capable engineers and managers working at NASA.When we succeed, we assume that everything went according to plan. When were too busy lighting cigars, we fail to see that we succeeded despite making a mistake or despite taking a serious risk. We ignore the warning signs, the near-misses, and the necessity for change. We chalk up our successes to our skills and genius even where blind luck deserves the credit.Just because youre on a hot streak doesnt mean youll beat the house.The moment we think weve made it is the moment we stop learning and growing. When were in the lead, we assume we know the answers, so we dont listen. When we think were destined for greatness, we start blaming others if things dont go as planned. When we declare ourselves to be an expert on something, we begin asserting confident conclusions without bothering to gather all of the facts. We launch shuttle missions despite glaring problems with the spacecraft.The au thor Elizabeth Gilbert sums up the same sentiment in her brilliant teddy boy talk Creativity, she says must survive its own success.You must survive your own success.The next time youre tempted to start popping champagne corks following a victory, stop and pause for a moment. Ask yourself, What went wrong with this success? What role did luck, opportunity, and privilege play? What can I learn from it?And the next time youre tempted to fear failure, keep in mind the words of English author Dean Inge Nothing fails like success.Ozan Varol is a rocket scientist turned law professor and bestselling author.Click hereto download a free copy of his e-book, The Contrarian Handbook 8 Principles for Innovating Your Thinking. Along with your free e-book, youll get the Weekly Contrarian - a newsletter that challenges conventional wisdom and changes the way we look at the world (plus access to exclusive content for subscribers only).Thisarticlefirst appeared onOzanVarol.com.

Top 5 Questions to Ask References About Job Candidates

Top 5 Questions to Ask References About Job CandidatesTop 5 Questions to Ask References About Job CandidatesWhether you want to hire a new company executive or a personal assistant, hiring the right candidate isnt always easy. After youve waded through all of the applications and resumes, you still have to interview a range of individuals, and then reach out to references to determine who is best qualified as the right fit for the job. If youre tempted to skip calling references altogether, dont make that mistake. The best way to background check a candidate about his or her skills, employment record, and qualifications is to verify them personally. You can learn everything about the candidate from their personal sense of integrity to how well they interacted with their fellow employees. What should you ask when you call references? What questions will give you the best insight into a potential candidates dependability and skills? How do you make the fruchtwein of the reference check s youre doing? These reference checking questions are recommended for employers to ask about candidates regularly but if you want to start with just a few recommended questions, try asking these five. Top 5 Questions to Ask as You Check References To help answer these questions and to simplify the reference-checking process, here are five specific questions you need to ask. What responsibilities did the candidate have while working with you? This is a basic question that allows you to gain objective information on the work the candidate has done elsewhere. Did a previous job involve the same responsibilities as the one for which youre hiring? (Some research indicates that potentially, your most successful hires are people who did a very similar job successfully for another employer.) Or did this previous job involve a completely different set of skills? Does this reference give you confidence that the candidate can fulfill the responsibilities of the role for which youre hiring or not? What were the candidates strengths as an employee? This question gives the reference a chance to sing the candidates praise, something most references are prepared to do, particularly if the candidate has warned the reference that you will call. What were the areas in need of development that were communicated to the candidate, and how did they respond to them? You dont only want to know about strengths, but you also want to know the candidates weaknesses- information that is harder to glean in a quick reference check. This is a question that allows you to fish for more information. According to Miriam W. Berger at national executive recruitment firm DRG, This question is a good way to get information regarding performance weaknesses that may not have otherwise been volunteered by the reference.Listen carefully as the reference describes how the candidate responded to performance improvement needs and direction. Can you tell me about the candidates tenure with your company- did he or she receive any raises, promotions, demotions, and so forth? Why did he or she leave? While this question is fairly objective as well, it will give you valuable intel on the details of the candidates former work. Advancements and raises show you that the candidate was moving forward and growing. Demotions may reveal problems you wont want to deal with in your own business. Likewise, discovering why the candidate left a previous role lets you know upfront about potential character issues relating to the candidates being fired or asked to leave a job, if applicable. Is there anything else I should know before hiring this candidate? Whenever youve made a connection with a reference who is willing to talk with you, make the most of your good fortune by asking open-ended questions that call for in-depth answers, says HCareers.com. Within reason, give the reference ample opportunity to answer as comprehensively as they are willing to. Not only will giving the person a little ext ra time and opportunity to give you feedback help you gain more information, but it will also round out the perspective youre able to have about the candidate. Always conclude your conversation by asking if theres anything else you should know. Give the reference a chance to fill in the gaps with other pertinent details. In plus-rechnen to the questions above, pay attention to nonverbal communication- how the person pauses, hesitates or has a hard time answering a specific question. Some references are reluctant to relay bad or negative information about a candidate, but by carefully listening to verbal hints, you can gain valuable clues that the candidate has a potential issue that you will need to address when you have hired the candidate.

Name Change Kit FAQ - United States

Name Change Kit FAQ - United StatesName Change Kit FAQ - United StatesWhy do people change their anthroponyms?People decide to change their personennames for a variety of reasons. Some situations which may give rise to wanting a name change include if you are married and you want to restore your birth name if you are divorced (or your marriage has been annulled) and you want to restore your previous name if you are a divorced parent and you want you and your child to share the same belastung name if you are the legal guardian of a child and you want the child to share the same last name if you are an immigrant and want a name that reflects your new surroundings if you are trying to reconnect with your ancestral roots and want your name to reflect your heritage if you are a transgender person and want your name to reflect your gender or if you simply feel that your name does not suit you.The fact that you do not want your current name is all the reason fruchtwein people need to chang e their name. In most circumstances, a reasonable explanation should suffice for the courts to grant the change.Do I need an attorney to represent me?In most circumstances, you do not require an attorney to represent you in a name change petition.Why do I have to make a court petition to change my name?Previously, you could change your name by simply adopting a new name and using it consistently over a period of time. This is no longer the case. Given the possibility of identity theft and security breaches, you will now require official recognition of your name change. In most circumstances, you must have a court bestellung to prove that your name has legally been changed.When is a court petition not required to make a name change?Sometimes it is not necessary to make a formal petition for a name change. If you are getting married and both of you want to change your name all you have to do is provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate as proof of the name change.Also , if you are currently involved in some form of ongoing proceeding where name changes are granted, you may simply ask the court to provide a court order for a name change. The following proceedings allow you to make a name change without a formal petition Divorce Proceeding - If you are involved in a divorce proceeding in California, you can simply make a request to the judge handling your case to restore your previous name. U.S. Citizenship - If you are applying for U.S. Citizenship, you can enter a new name in Part 1 Section D of your Application for Naturalization N-400 form. After the swearing in ceremony, your new name will be official (the swearing in ceremony must be performed by a judge for this to work). Adoption - If you are involved in an adoption proceeding, you can ask that your adopted childs name change be included in the adoption order.Are there any requirements I must meet to make a name change application in California?In order to make a name change you must meet the following requirements you must be over the age of 18 you must be a resident of the state of California and you must be a resident of the county where you will file the petition in Superior Court.What are the types of name changes available to me?LawDepot provides name change packages based on 3 different scenarios Basic name change - This name change is available for individuals who want to petition the court to change their own names or the name of a child. Divorced individuals who want to return to their former name - This name change is available to divorced individuals (divorce must have taken place in California) who wish to return to their birth name or a name from a previous marriage. Name and gender change - This name change is available to individuals who want to petition the court to change their name and their official gender designation.Does LawDepot provide a name change package for each state?Currently, LawDepot provides a name change package only for the state o f California.

The Dos and Donts of Free Resume Templates 2016

The Dos and Donts of Free Resume Templates 2016 The Awful Secret of Free Resume Templates 2016 The initial one is about outlining your abilities and your availability in a special job position. Cvmkr is easy, quick and totally free of cost. Its important to get your resume stand out from the work competition. A good resume is a passport to a very good job and Resume Builder makes it possible to create impressive resumes in an issue of a few momemts. The freebie welches made by Mats-Peter Forss. The freebie was made by Alamin Mir. Boost your opportunities to receive a desirable job with this expert CV freebie. Get your fantasy job with the support of this absolutely free expert PSD freebie. What Is So Fascinating About Free Resume Templates 2016? All the layers were created carefully that may help you to construct a professional resume within an incredibly brief time. Every one of them boasts a clean appearance, yellow accents, and Roboto font, which will provide a moder n appearance to your documents. This design demonstrates that youre a critical professional. Each one of our creative style templates provide a perfectly balanced mixture of personality, professionalism and some style. Definitions of Free Resume Templates 2016 A simple resume template will help you become by that software effortlessly 1 Resume is a completely free one page web template that includes a smooth jQuery slide between sections of the webpage. This exclusive resume template was made by Drew Chandler. This Sample Resume Template is an easy and speedy way to construct an HTML resume. The freebie consists of word Docx and Pdf documents so you can readily edit it to your requirements. Why dont you provide this incredible Bundle a try. The Demise of Free Resume Templates 2016 By utilizing this you can minimalist search for your personal resume. Beautiful graphics are used here in order to get upon the info in a pleasant way whilst showing off the authors skills. It s content-packed layout is ideal for engaging employers with different facts, from experience to education. There are lots of beautiful resume templates out there, but nevertheless, it can be simple to feel as a lot of the greatest cost a ridiculous quantity of money, require special design programs in order to edit, or both.This completely free CV design gives a chance to express your finest qualities with a minimum quantity of words. People today utilize all types of resume templates using different sort of design approaches, but ultimately its always likely to come to the simple fact that your resume should convey a very clear message above your skills, your experience, and also why youd be the ideal candidate for the position. This resume template can allow you to present your abilities and make the most effective first impression in a non-traditional way. Another great resume template to reveal your individual details in an ideal means to impress the work manager. Choosin g Good Free Resume Templates 2016 Deciding upon the most suitable fonts for your resume is vital so choose wisely. Here, it is possible to find templates in various formats so you could use the one youre comfortable with. The Illustrator file makes the the majority of colour to help its simplicity. Its high-quality PSD file is totally customizable.This completely free timeline-based resume template was produced by graphic designer Patryk Korycki. These templates also supply multiple customization choices and unique layouts for you to pick from. They have been designed to be clean-cut and straight to the point. Then choose a simple resume template Free Resume Templates 2016 - the Conspiracy Employers prefer this resume template so attempt to utilize it even if it means you must iron out a number of problems like unemployment in your work history. Your resume is a little peace of paper, which provides you ability to find the job. When youre asking for a job which relies on the strengths of the person, you will need a resume template that you may inject a little more personality into to make it pop. A resume is a significant document and thus it is important to frame it using the ideal format and content. So, as you craft a resume with a certain format, consider the organizations to which youre sending that resume. Once you have selected your perfect resume template from our selection, follow our totally free expert guidance about ways to craft the great modern resume. In reality, the chronological resume template is easily the most traditional resume format. Locating a bright CV form on the website is far easier than, for example, attempting to finish the so-called Europass. The site provides many distinct formats of resumes to pick from. The site provides a gamut of formats to select from. This site provides many formats and designs of resumes to select from.

Millennial Unemployment Rate Nearly 4 Points Above National Average

Millennial Unemployment Rate Nearly 4 Points Above National Average Generation Opportunitys Millennial Jobs Report for January 2013 reports that Millennial employees experienced an 11.5 percent unemployment rate in December with African-American Millennials experiencing a 22.1 percent rate. Hispanics unemployment within the group was at 12.2 percent while female Millennials saw a 10.4 percent rate. In addition, about 1.7 million Millennials are now going uncounted by the U.S. Department of Labor in calculating the unemployment rate due to dropping out of the labor force. Were these individuals included, the unemployment rate would rise to 16.3 percent. Expected seasonal hiring is likely keeping youth unemployment artificially low, and young people know all too well that a temporary job over the holidays is not a long-term solution, Matthew Faraci, senior vice president for communications at Genera tion Opportunity, said. The fact is that 2012 marked yet another year in which Millennials were unable to find real opportunities in the vocations for which they trained and are qualified.This meant another year just scraping by, falling further behind on student loan payments, living at home with mom and dad, sending out hundreds of resumes, and filling out numerous job applications, all with little or no result. This was another year without hope for a generation eager to apply their skills and get in the game. As Washington argues over short-term fixes, Millennials are wondering why their elected leaders continue to ignore critical issues such as unprecedented youth unemployment as well as the larger challenge of addressing the nations underlying fiscal challenges.

How to Write a Resignation Letter Due to Personal Reasons

How to Write a Resignation Letter Due to Personal ReasonsHow to Write a Resignation Letter Due to Personal ReasonsSometimes personal issues can make maintaining employment an arduous task. Before ruining your professional reputation or making your personal life unbearable, you may have to make the difficult decision to leave the job.The professional thing to do at this point is to prepare a resignation letter for personal reasons.What You Have to Do FirstYou may have an untenable work environment, a medical issue to deal with, or an overwhelming personal crisis. At the end of the day, your reasons for leaving are yours and yours alone. Depending on your relationship, you can share the information with supervisors, management, or coworkers, but do not feel obligated to have a reason that satisfies anyone.Once you have made the final decision to leave, have a conversation with your immediate supervisor. They will appreciate your honesty. And while no employer wants to lose a good emplo yee, they do not want a distracted one either.Writing a Resignation Letter Due to Personal ReasonsBefore composing the resignation letter, note exactly what you want to say in it. Even if your reasons are work related, do not say anything that will burn bridges. You may need a recommendation later or you may even want to return to the company. Being remembered fondly will help in both cases.Keeping it gracious and formal, open the letter with the facts you are resigning for personal reasons (again, do not feel the need to go into any detail), the exact date of the resignation, and that you will do what you can to minimize the inconvenience this sudden departure may have on production.Open the second paragraph of the resignation letter due to personal reasons with the fact youve already had a conversation with your supervisor and that, at that time, you discussed what would happen with your projects and duties before and after your absence. Offer to work with any replacement within t he allotted time before you leave. If youre comfortable with it, leave contact information should they have any questions.Close out the resignation letter with a polite statement about appreciating your experiences with the company and wishing everyone well.LiveCareer has samples of resignations letter due to personal reasons that can be used as a template for your situation. We also have Resume Builder, a great tool for building documents that will help you find a new job. Related Articles How to Write a Resume ObjectiveHow to Write a Resume SummaryHow to Write a Resume When You Have No Work Experience

The Best Way to Ask for a Raise

The Best Way to Ask for a RaiseThe Best Way to Ask for a RaiseAre you thinking of asking for a raise? If so, you might be feeling pretty nervous. Talking about money at all is taboo in our culture. As a result, many of us feel uneasy about salary negotiation. Research shows that one of the most common reasons for not negotiating salary is feeling uncomfortable asking for mora money. Prepare to Ask for a Raise To overcome those nerves, prepare. Learn when and how to ask for a raise so that your request will be heard by a receptive audience. Then, build a strategy that will help you achieve the best possible outcome. That doesnt mean youll always get a yes, or that your babo will be able to give you the exact amount you request. But properly preparing before you make your proposal can vastly increase your chances of success. Top 10 Dos and Donts for Asking for a Raise Heres a list of the top 10 dos and donts when it comes to asking for a raise. 1. Ask after a big accomplishment . Just scored a deal or landed a big sale? Its a good time to ask for a pay raise. Capitalize on the momentum of your success, and you may find yourself in an ideal position to ask for a salary increase. 2. Write, and rehearse, an agenda. Dont walk into your meeting without having prepared beforehand. Brainstorm a list of concrete reasons as to why you deserve a raise, write them down, and rehearse them to ensure a confident and convincing delivery. In addition to listing your accomplishments, you could mention a recent expansion in your responsibilities at work, additional tasks youve taken on, new strategies youve adopted, projects youve spearheaded, and any plans you have to further increase your departments success. You may also want to consider typing up and printing out a copy for your boss, so they can look it over and discuss with other supervisors if necessary. 3. Time your request accordingly. Familiarize yourself with your companys review policy. Do they carry out perform ance reviews every three months? Every six months? Every year? Discretely discuss with your co-workers, or consult with your human resources department to get a sense of the timeline. If possible, you should also try to align your request with the companys financial trajectory. Try asking when new funding is coming in, when the new fiscal year is starting, or when you think your employer could easily factor in an increase in pay. 4. Dress the part. Even if your geschftszimmer dress code tends to be lax, when it comes time for your meeting, you should look the part. Take those few extra minutes to put on a tie, iron your blouse, or pull your dress shoes out of the closet. Although you dont want to look like youre trying too hard, looking polished and professional cant hurt, and will only help you feel more confident as you make your case. 5. Have other options on the back burner. No one wants to hear no for an answer, but a rejection can present an opportunity to make another proposi tion. Do you want to inquire about working from home one day per week? Are you in need of a new mobile phone or laptop for your work purposes? Is there a conference or industry event youd like to attend? Your boss may be more likely to say yes to a smaller request after saying no to a big one. 6. Dont ask via email, if possible. Although its acceptable to schedule a meeting via email, you really should have the conversation about getting a raise in person. Its the best way to show that youre serious and will also allow you to gauge your bosss reaction to your request. Ask your boss when they might have a block of time free to discuss a question regarding your salary. You might even binnensee if they are available for a lunch meeting, which might be a more comfortable setting in which to have the conversation. If an in-person conversation isnt feasible, heres how to request a raise via email, and a sample salary increase letter to review. 7. Dont ask at a high-stress time. Use common sense when you approach your supervisor about the possibility of a raise. If your boss is particularly stressed and overworked, its probably not the best time to bring up the topic. If you can, wait it out and ask during a lull, or at least when you see that your supervisor is in a good mood. 8. Dont give an ultimatum unless youre willing to lose the job. Be careful about how you broach the topic. You dont want to come across as too demanding. Of course, be confident and assertive in your request, but be aware of your tone and focus on being patient, professional, and understanding. Use caution with how you negotiate. Youll probably want to avoid framing it in a way that sounds like a demand- I need this raise, or else- as you should try to stay on good terms with your boss even if they say no. 9. Dont use information about colleagues salaries as a reason why you should get a raise. Avoid bringing office gossip into your discussion. Even if you know someone makes more money than yo u and you think that you deserve a salary thats equal- or higher- its advisable not to mention it. Its just not professional, and you never know if what youve heard, or overheard, is true. Instead, focus on your own individual experience and accomplishments and why you should get a raise on your own merits, not based on what other people are getting paid. 10. Dont supply too much personal information. Ideally, you should try to craft your proposal in a way that focuses on the reasons why you deserve an increase in salary, rather than why you might need one. There are some things that are better left unsaid when youre talking about a pay increase. Unless you have an exceptionally familiar relationship with your supervisor, its a good idea to avoid citing personal reasons like if your spouse lost his or her job, if youre sending another child to college, or if an investment went schwimmbad and instead keep the emphasis on what youve done to merit a raise. What to Expect After Yo u Have Asked for a Raise Even though you really want to know right away, dont expect an immediate answer. Unless youre at a very small company, your manager may not even have the authority to give you a pay raise even if they want to. It will probably need to be discussed with human resources and/or other company managers. Dont feel badly if your request is turned down. There simply may not be money in the budget for pay increases, regardless of how well deserved your raise may be. Many companies have formal company policies that determine salaries and pay raises, so there may not be flexibility to give you a raise other than when you are eligible for one under company guidelines. The Bottom Line CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOUR REQUEST Try timing your negotiation with the companys financial calendar. When will your boss be most likely to find money in the budget for a raise?ASK AFTER A BIG WIN Have you recently exceeded a major goal or accomplished something big for the company? Now s a good time to make your request.DONT GIVE AN ULTAMATUM If you threaten to leave, you better be prepared to follow through.AVOID GIVING TOO MUCH PERSONAL INFORMATION Your boss doesnt need to know why you want more money. They just need to know why you deserve more money.

Interview Questions to Ask a Manager Candidate

Interview Questions to Ask a Manager CandidateInterview Questions to Ask a Manager CandidateInterviewing a candidate for a management or supervisory position is a lot different than screening someone to work on the front-line of your company. After all, they are going to mentor and guide the employees under their charge. And they will be accountable for the way the department runs and ultimately functions. So you want to find the right person for the job. That means coming up with the right questions to ask during the bewerberinterview. The following sample job questions about a candidates management style, experience, outlook and personality will help you assess your his supervisory skills. They will also help you determine whether he is a good fit for your company. Feel free to use these questions in your own interviews or use them as a base to develop your own. As you interview potential management employees for your company, you will find out over time which questions yield the m ost useful information. Youll want to ask the questions that best support your final candidate selection. Before You Begin Youll want to make sure your candidate ticks off all the requirements on your list before you schedule that interview. You want to make sure the person is motivated, is a people person and is results oriented. Furthermore, he should be experienced, and be able to work well under pressure. Finally, he needs to be approachable, personable, work well with a team and have a great attitude. There are two types of questions youll want to ask - those that focus on the candidates experience, and those that provide insight into his behavior and personality. Questions That You Always Ask Management Candidates Always ask these management interview questions. The answers give you valuable knowledge about the candidates experience. How long have you worked as a manager?How many employees reported directly to you in your management job? Here, you are asking about the number of employees he or she directly supervised with wertzuwachs assessment and compensation assignment responsibilities.Describe the exact responsibilities and activities over which you had oversight for these employees. This will give you insight into what his job duties were in his previous position. How do you prioritize your role as a manager? This is important, because a manager will have to be able to recognize opportunities and situations that will need immediate attention, while being able to put off things that may be less important for a later time. Behavioral Management Interview Questions How would you describe your management style? Youll want to see how he manages so you can determine whether his style matches that of your company. How would the people reporting to you describe your management style?What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager and supervisor?Describe the work environment or culturein which you have experienced the most success. How did you help contribute to that culture and success? Again, the answer to this question can give you some insight into whether the candidates style will mesh well with the employees in your company. How have you dealt with a difficult or underperforming employee in the past? How did you address the situation? Did the employees performance improve? If not, what did you do next?How have you rewarded an employees excellent performance and hard work?Tell me about a time when you reorganized a department or significantly changed employee work assignments. How did you approach the task? How did the affected employees respond to your actions?How you have managed employee performance in the past? Describe the process you have used for performance feedback. Describe how youve developed relationships with new coworkers, supervisors and reporting staff at your last job?How you have been able to provide direction and leadership in your previous departments? Asking a candidate this will help you f igure out if he is motivated and considers his team a priority. What do you feel are the most significant contributions of a manager in the workplace? How have you demonstrated these in your past jobs as a manager?What would you identify as thekey contribution of a manager in the workplace? During the Interview As the interview progresses, dont forget to take notes and engage the candidate. But remember, as the interview progresses, dont just stick to your script - ask follow up questions. Something your interviewee says may trigger another question that may not be on your list. The Bottom Line These tips on how to assess your candidates management interview question answers will assist you to select the best management employees for your organization. Do keep reading to see how to approach your candidates answers. They can seriously have an impact on the candidate you choose for your open position.