Sex and Your Job Search 2013: A Guide to Scoring Your Dream Job (31 page)

I recommend flipping the responsibility to name a figure to the organization no more than
two
times. Any more than that and you risk coming across as combative, and the employer might start to focus on their number two candidate.

3. If they give you a number, aim above it. Like in the response below.

“I’m looking to increase my
salary and the contributions I make to an organization. During school/at my last employer, I’ve improved my speaking skills/project management skills/other skills by volunteering for assignments/taking classes. I think it would be appropriate to discuss a figure in the range of (whatever your midpoint is) and (whatever your dream amount is).”

Basically you are reminding them of the ingrained Value of Excellence that you have and gently bringing back memories of all the great stories you told during the interview. It’s a subtle but very
confident
move.

If the interviewer circles back to your previous salary and wages, know that this is false logic. Your salary negotiation should be centered on the job you are applying to. Answer by telling the interviewer that there hasn’t been a year where you didn’t get a raise based on performance and that you’ve been given added responsibility to your position every year. Then focus on the salary range of the position you are interviewing for.

DOING IT WELL:
EVALUATING YOUR JOB OFFER

Once they make an offer, respond accordingly. If the offer sounds reasonable, try to reach a deal for a little bit more money. It’s pretty much expected that an applicant will counter for at least some more money. You can reiterate how you made or saved money through efficiency at a past employer and that you are confident you can do the same at their firm. Then continue by saying, “I was hoping for something in the (give them a range again) range.”

At this point, the interviewer and HR really would like to wrap up the hiring process and put someone in the open position. They do not want to start this process over! At the very worst, they can stick to their guns or explain their rationale for their figure.

Every employer is different. Many employers have a pay scale with “steps” for each position. Oftentimes one step is given for each year of equivalent work history. Other times the hiring manager has the option to give additional steps because they want to make a competitive offer to a desirable applicant or for degrees and certifications in a respective field. If you are a superstar applicant, sometimes a pay scale is thrown out the window when an offer is made. This generally happens at start-ups and small companies. Every organization has their own method of composing an offer.

If the offer is way, way, way off, be cool and keep your emotions in check. Ask for more clarification about job duties and the benefits that the firm offers. Benefits can include health and dental plans, employer matching for retirement, vacation and sick pay, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, relocation services, career development, and working remotely from home. Some employers also offer cafeteria discounts, a car allowance, stock options, deferred compensation, and year-end bonuses. Weigh all those factors and respond appropriately.

Once you decide what more you would like added to the offer, you may counter with “I really like your organization and I feel that I would be a great fit for the position. However, I hope that there is room for negotiation with (name your concerns, whether it’s salary or benefits). Again, I am very interested in working here.”

Remember, neither of you want to stop negotiating right now and start the job search over. Both of you are so close to getting what you want. Stick with it and be nice, and that incredible feeling of accepting their job offer will soon follow.

You may go back and forth with the interviewer a bit. Or you may decide that you’ll accept the first offer and hope for a good raise at performance review time. It’s your decision. Have all the information you need before making a commitment. Then get
all
of the details of their offer in writing.

After you have your offer in writing, look closely at the offer letter and double-check what is presented. Sometimes organizations forget exactly what was said or they are sneaky about what they leave off. Or someone made a clerical error. Be thorough in this part. If you have questions, feel free to ask for an explanation. Then ask for some time to mull it over. In this economy, that tends to be overnight, though twenty-four hours is also common. Less common is forty-eight hours, but some people ask for this when evaluating offers.

Seek out advice with respect to your offer(s). When considering offers and important decisions, I like to talk with a conservative person and a more progressive risk taker. That way I get a clearer picture of the different paths I can take. Ultimately, only you know what will make you happy and how far you think you can push the negotiations. Evaluate the total package against what you want out of your career and what type of work situation will make you the happiest. If questions persist about the negotiating process, use Google and/or contact an employment lawyer for more direction.

HOME RUN!: ACCEPTING THE JOB OFFER

After reviewing the offer, you should accept the position both verbally and in writing. Call the person you are interacting with, whether that is the hiring manager or HR, and confirm the basic points of what you are accepting, including when you are available to start. Tell them, in not so many words, “You’re amazing. I think we should spend the next few years together.” After you get off the phone, send an email confirming what was said on the phone.

It is my recommendation that you do not give notice to your current employer until you have passed the physical and background check at your new employer. Yes, I know this may not allow you to begin your new employment within two weeks. However, I’ve seen unpaid parking or speeding tickets turn into warrants for someone’s arrest. Some employers freak out over this and withdraw the job offer. Then the current employer doesn’t want to take them back or has already filled their old position.

I’ve also seen new hires that haven’t passed their physical based on the physical demands of the job. And lastly, some very rude people have had their job offer pulled due to their disrespectful treatment of those administering their physical and new-hire sign-on appointments.

Let me make something crystal clear. You are not an employee until you begin work. The hiring process, including the background check and physical, are still part of the interview. Organizations can change their mind at any point or put positions on hold for any reason. Treat this part of the hiring process like it’s as sacred as the actual interview.

A new grad was filling out his new-hire paperwork on his first day of work at a tech company. While he was getting his badge picture taken, he started joking with the person taking the picture. He said, “Can I just put my badge in my back pocket so I can lift my butt up to the badge reader at the front door?” She was stunned and replied, “Come again?” He quickly became subdued after seeing the look on her face. “Uh, at my old employer I would put my back pocket up to the badge reader, and… it was just easier…” “Easier than wearing your badge?” said the picture taker sternly.

The HR assistant matter-of-factly explained that wearing a badge so it’s visible is expected protocol for all employees at all times. The young graduate had not expected a culture this formal. Although he did eventually excel in his position, he did not start out on the right foot and left lingering questions about his maturity with those in charge of his career progression.

REFERENCE CHECKS: IS HIRING THIS PERSON REALLY A GOOD IDEA?

Frequently, reference checks happen before a job offer is made. Most of the time they are concluded before the acceptance of an offer. Here’s how you can be proactive so that you are in the best position possible.

When you’ve interviewed, the interviewer may ask if they can check your references. This can happen during the first or second interview. If they ask, it is a good sign. If you are currently employed, this would be the time to prep your employer, past employer(s), and references that they may receive a call. If you anticipate that your current employer will not react favorably to you seeking other employment, ask the interviewer to contact your boss after an offer is made. If this happens, your offer letter will be contingent on you passing a reference check. The alternative is to ask the interviewer to contact HR only. Sometimes an HR reference can fly under the radar and your boss won’t find out.

When you talk with your references, tell them about this great opportunity and why you are a strong candidate for the position. Explain what you know about the company and why you are attracted to their culture. Make sure they are up to speed on your latest job title and top two to three job accomplishments, as well as any personal accomplishments that you don’t mind sharing.

Remember, each situation is different and requires thought about what you want the reference to say about you. Consider this before speaking with them.

Some employers will only verify dates of employment. When I call for references and encounter pushback, I phrase my question like this, “OK, I totally understand. But we’re both HR professionals, so I was wondering if we can speak off the record. Can you tell me on a scale of 1–10 how this job applicant performed their job responsibilities? Would you rehire them on a scale of 1–10?” BTW, this line of questioning works amazingly well.

Quick Tip:
If an employer or reference is very tightlipped, HR people get worried. If someone is willing to say good things, that’s generally a good sign.

HAPPY ENDINGS:
QUITTING YOUR CURRENT JOB

Breaking up can be difficult, whether it’s in your love life or work life. When it is time to say good-bye to your job, try to take the high road for the sake of your career. Here are some things to consider.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s best not to give notice to your current employer until you pass the background check and physical. Sometimes this is not an option, but strive for this scenario.

When you do give notice, write a cordial letter of resignation and hand it to your boss. Be nice and thankful for the opportunities that you were given. Say that you learned a lot from them. Then wish them all the best.

Remember that you may still see your old boss from time to time at industry events and at association meetings. A few years down the road, you may even work together again. And keep in mind that your new boss may even know your old boss and will ask this person how you resigned. People can be crafty and calculating as you go up the corporate ladder.

Remember, your resignation letter will most likely be scanned and put into your permanent record. If you reapply years down the road, it will be probably be looked at by HR.

Generally speaking, two weeks’ notice is sufficient. For those of you getting hired into more professional and higher-level positions, there may be an expectation of giving two to four weeks notice, depending on the transfer of projects and other responsibilities.

It’s important to note that in some industries and positions where corporate secrets and technologies are discussed daily, individuals resigning from those companies may be walked out of the building upon giving their notice. I know a few people this has happened to. They gave over ten years of loyal service with many 50–70 hour work weeks and then were escorted out by security guards within ten minutes of resigning.

Do this:
If you suspect that you may be escorted out right after giving notice, back up all of your contacts before talking with your boss, including email addresses, phone numbers, and addresses. Save any files that include policies, articles, and documents (non-proprietary) that you’ve collected over the years and stored at work. Once you step down, you may be asked to turn in your company phone, computer, keys, and badge. Be ready for this, but know you are going to a better and more desirable situation.