MKTG 347/Week 9: Let's Talk Money

Salary negotiation is a process that is intimidating to a number of job hunters. Some worry about mentioning a number too soon, others worry about stating a figure that's too low, while others high ball based on their desired salary. Even though discussing salary might seem like a tricky process, it should always be discussed before accepting a job offer.

Here are some points to remember to make the salary negotiation process run smoothly.

Wait till the end: Asking about salary too early in the interviewing process is not a mistake that you want to make. Salary should be brought up when you are certain that the company wants to hire you for that position. You are wondering how much they are going to pay you, but they are asking the question of how much you are going to cost them. So, timing plays a major role when discussing starting salaries.

Avoid stating a number to early: Sometimes employers will bring up salary sooner than you expect, but there are ways to avoid stating a number. If a potential employer asks you what kind of salary you are looking for two minutes into the interview, you don't have to provide an answer. You could say something along the lines of, "I'd be happy to answer that, but could you first tell me a little more about the position."

If an employer keeps asking you to give a figure, you don't have to stick with one number. Mentioning a range would be perfectly fine. For instance, you could say that you are looking for a salary that pays between 40,000 to 50,000 dollars a year.

Do research: Research is an important part of the job hunting process, and that includes researching the average salary for the position you are applying. Conducting this research is fairly simple and can be done a number of ways. You can do some research online, or just talk to people who are already in a  related field. Doing the research before discussing salary will help you determine if the employer is offering you a fair starting salary or you could do better elsewhere.

Even though salary negotiation might seem like an intimidating process, it is something that must be done before accepting a job offer. If you have the right timing and do your research, you have a better chance of receiving the most an employer is willing to pay for your position.

MKTG 347/Week 8: 4 Things to Remember During an Interview

After sending out hundreds of resumes you finally get a call back for a interview. Maybe you're excited, or maybe you're a nervous wreck. Whether you think you have the interview in the bag, or are too nervous to function properly, there are some tips you should remember before diving into the interview.

Do research: Don't just wing it and think that you'll just figure out it when you get there. Before going to the interview do some research on the company and position you have applied for. Simply Google them for some background information and take the time to read the About Us section on their website. Doing research will allow you to throw out some facts about the company that interest you and that will impress the employer.

Be prepared for Questions: Whether you have ever been to an interview before or not, there are some common questions that you should be able to answer. Some of these questions include:
"Tell me about yourself?"
"Why are you applying for this job?"
"What is your greatest weakness?"
"What are your strengths?"

Preparing before will help you easily answer common questions and not get caught with nothing to say or a rambling answer.

It is also important to ask the person interviewing you questions. If you say you don't have any questions at the end of the interview it may come across like you do not care to know more about the company or what the job entails. So, some common questions for you to ask employers include:
"What are some of the company values?"
"What future changes do you see in the work here?"
"What characterizes a successful employee at this company?"

Be aware of the small things: Not all employers are going to like you, and it could be for a reason as simple as you wore too much perfume to the interview. So, it is important to look out for the small things that could affect your chances of getting called back for another interview. Some things to be aware of include:
-Your appearance
-Lack of self-confidence
-Nervous mannerisms
-Your values

Know the skills: Be aware of the skills that employer is looking for in a job candidate. Most are looking for someone who is:
-Punctual
-Dependable
-Has a good attitude
-Energetic/enthusiastic/driven
-Able to use language effectively
-Committed
-Flexible

Your resume is what landed you the interview, and the interview is where you need to sell yourself. In order to make the interviewing process successful, you should remember and practice some of the tips mentioned above.

MKTG 347/Week 6: The Essence of the Job Hunt

Even as the behavior of job hunting always changes, the essence of job hunting tends to stay the same. In one of my first posts, I mentioned that after the recession in 2008, the job hunting process has changed dramatically. While this is true, it is also true that one aspect has stayed constant, and this is human nature.

During the job hunting process you are trying to get the employers to like you and you decide if you like them. When one lead doesn't workout, you simply move on to the next one. You should keep in mind that the job hunting process is a two way conversation.

"Do you like me?" Even if the answer is yes, that does not mean you should automatically accept the job offer. You must answer the question "Do I like you?" The reason you need to answer this question before you start is because you don't want to be answering it years later when you're thinking about quitting.

Now, you might be thinking, "I'm just trying to get a job, whether I like it or not", but it is important to remember that you are not powerless throughout the job hunting process. Many people have the misconception that they have to take the first job they are offered because there aren't many out there, but there are jobs available.

In the December of 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report known as Job Openings and Labor Turnout Survey(JOLTS). This report showed that during the month of December 5,148,000 people were able to find work. There were also 5,028,00  vacancies that remained unfilled.

So, even though the behavior of job hunting is constantly changing the essence of the hunt tends to stay the same. There are open positions available and as long as you stay aware that the process is a two way conversation, you will eventually find your desired job.

MKTG 347/Week 3: Resume Tips

The way job hunters should send out their resumes has changes. Now, everything is online. Within seconds a potential employer can type your name into Google and see the good and the bad. , Google is your new resume, so it is important to be cautious and aware of the information you put out there.

Having Google as your resume can be a great tool, but if you do not know how to utilize it properly, it can harm your chances of landing a job.

Before spamming the internet with your actually resume, make sure to:
-Edit the information already out there
-Fill-In sites such as LinkedIn
-Expand your presence(blogging would be a great way to start)
-Add your resume to the online world

When you send out your resume you want it to be the best it can possibly be. So before adding your resume online for everyone to see, take the time to think about your skills and experiences that will make your resume stand out from the others.

Some categories to think about and mention include:

• Education
• Volunteer Experience
• Computer Skills
• Management
• Responsibility
• Memberships
• Published/Presented work

Once you have your resume perfected, think about where you want to post it because that does make a difference.Most employers don't want to go through more resumes than they need to, but when they post vacancies online hundreds of people can respond.

For instance, a typical employer has to look through 219 resumes if they post the vacancy on a job-board like CareerBuilder.com. On LinkedIn employees usually go through 116 resumes, so you have a better chance at getting looked at on LinkedIn than some job-boards.

Being aware of where your posting information and what you are posting will help you throughout the job hunting process. Having a solid resume is essential, but it is just as important to have a clean and updated online presence when employers search for you on Google.

MKTG 347/Week 2: 4 Ways the Job Hunt has Changed

It's no surprise that as time goes on things change. The job hunting process is one of those many things that constantly changes. The major turning point was in 2008 when the great recession hit and affected many Americans. Even though the recession occurred about 8 years ago, the job market is still recovering and the way that job hunting process behaves is different from the past. The book titled, What Color is Your Parachute gives some great insight as to how the job market and how to make your job search run smoothly.

Today it seems difficult to find a job, even with a college degree and experience. Many of you might be wondering why it is a challenge, so below you will find some of the aspects of the job hunt that have changed.

Employers Changed:
Employers adapt to the times, while most job hunters stick to the same process. For example, job hunters will always turn in resumes, but depending on the time, job hunters will not always read them. When times are good, employers are looking to fill open positions, read through resumes and post vacancies, but when times are tough, and there are a number of people unemployed, they have more applicants to choose from. Since there is more to choose from, employers stop reading resumes and posting vacancies, but job hunters don't switch tactics.
Also, many employers tend to over-screen and be more selective with who they hire than in the past.

The Length of the Hunt Increased:
Today 22-30% of all unemployed people are spending more than a year to find work. Between the years of 1994 and 2008, about half of all unemployed people actively looking for a job, found work within five weeks, Spending over a year unsuccessfully looking for a job is both time consuming and frustrating, so many people are staying away from the labor force altogether for the time being.

Job Hunting has Moved Online:
Before the internet, job seekers would go to newspapers to find job openings, but now there are thousands of job boards online.  NetStart Inc. and Monster Board were two of the earliest job boards that started in 1994, but today there thousands of job boards that serve different purposes.
For instance, there are search engines which are used to locate job openings. There are also mega job-boards, niche job-boards, company job-boards, and job-boards for certain ages. In addition to job boards, social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are commonly used throughout the job hunting process.

We Speak Two Different Languages:
The job hunting system was built by employers for employers. Because job hunters and employers are so different, there are usually some contrasts which make finding a job even more difficult.
For example, as job hunters we see the process of finding a job to be a hiring game, but the employer sees it as an elimination game.

Also, we want  the employer to hunt for us the same way we are hunting for them, but that does not happen. This is because as job hunters, our main concern is time, but an employer's main concern is risk.

Even though the job hunting process has changed drastically since 2008, it is important to remember that there are jobs our there, It might be more challenging to land a job at this point in time, but it is possible.

How to Choose a Career Coach

After reading through all of the chapters of What Color is Your Parachute, most people have a greater understanding of how to approach the job search, while others still feel like they could use some extra help. Today, there are a number of career coaches, counselors, and agencies that will help you through the process... for a fee. The fees can be hourly, and others require a large amount up front.

If your're going to pay for someone to coach you through the job hunting process, you would hope that they know what they are doing, and aren't just trying to pull a scam. Unfortunately sometimes those are their intentions. In the Appendix of What Color is Your Parachute, three different types of career coaches and counselors are mentioned. There are the ones who are honest, compassionate and know what they are doing; others are honest, but don't know what they're doing; and then there are the ones who are dishonest and just want your money. 

Here are some ways find a career coach that is best for you and avoid the scams: 

Do Research:  Before buying a new car you look around, research online, and see how it fits you. It is not a process that is rushed and done without thought. Finding a career coach should be done the same way. It is absolutely necessary to do research. If you don't you can easily be taken for your money. So, ask around, use the internet, look in he yellow pages, or take a look at Appendix D of What Color is Your Parachute to get some names to get started.

Once you have a few names, do some comparison shopping. Meet with at least three different career coaches to see which one you like best. If it helps, you can make a chart to compare the answers you received from each one. Remember that you need to look for who is best for you not who is the best.

Watch the Vibes:  Sometimes it is hard to get a true first impression of someone, but you should watch for any bad vibes during your first meeting. The most obvious bad vibe would be not liking someone. For whatever reason, if you don't like them, you definitely should not choose them to be your career coach because you will have a difficult time getting what you want. Other bad vibes include getting the impression that everything will be done for you, avoiding answering the question, "How long have you been with this firm?", or hearing that their success rate is 100 percent. 

Consider Money:  As I mentioned earlier, career places charge fees. Some charge by the hour and others charge a large fee up front with a contract. The safest of these would be the first one, especially if you cannot afford to loose any money. When you pay by the hour, you only pay for the actual time you spend meeting with your career coach, and you can stop going at any time. 

Contracts on the other hand, require you to go for a specific period of time and have a large fee attached. This can be risky because while some firms will give you attention and effort after paying the fee, others won't. 

If you are someone who feels like they could use a career coach or counselor, remember to do your research. There are some places out there that are honest and know what they are doing, but there are others who just want your money. Remember that you are looking for the one who is the best for you and will help you land the job you desire!

Dealing with Your Feelings While Out of Work

We have now covered all eleven chapters of What Color Is Your Parachute. You have some basic information on how to improve your interview techniques, finding the right job, how to start your own business, and many more valuable concepts and ideas. It's great to have all of this information to help you through the job search, but it is also important to focus on your personal feelings while you are out of work.

Being out of work can not only take a toll on your wallet, but it can also take a toll on your emotions. If you have been out of work for awhile and are feeling a little down, there are a few changes you can make to your lifestyle to deal with your feelings.

Catch up on sleep: Working causes you to be extremely busy and pressed for time. There are a number of things that have to be done in a day, and sleep usually takes a back seat to the other tasks. When you are out of work, use that time to catch up on some sleep. We have all heard before that sleep is important, but we should remember that it actually is. Not getting enough sleep can cause us to be depressed from being too tired. So, the more you catch up on some sleep the happier you will be.

Be Healthy and Active: Use this time out of work to pick up some healthy habits. It is easy to get into bad habits when you don't have a daily routine, but there are some easy habits to pick up that will help you stay healthy. For examples, drink lots of water, cut down on sugars, and stay physically active. You don't have to run miles every day, just go for a simple walk outside to get some sun and fresh air. Staying healthy will make you feel healthy and happy.

Try Something Different: Chances are there is something in your life that you have always wanted to try or learn, but you just haven't had the time to do it. Maybe you want to read some books by your favorite author, learn a new language, or play an instrument. Whatever it may be, use your time out of work to act on what it is you have always wanted to accomplish. It will give you something to focus your time on and you will most likely feel happier than before.

Be Grateful: Not everything in our lives goes exactly the way we plan. When our life takes a different course, it is easy to dwell on everything that is negative and ignore the positive. It is essential to not forget all of the positive things in your life when you are out of work. So, make a list of what your are thankful for in you life every week, or everyday, to remember the good. Maybe you don't have a job at the moment, but you might have friends, family, or significant other, who you get to spend some quality time with.

Being out of work for a long period of time can greatly effect your feelings, but there are a number of different ways you can deal with those feelings. Sleeping, focusing on your health, learning something new, and being grateful are some of the many ways to feel a little happier. Yes, at time you will be frustrated and depressed, but as long as you focus on the good you will be better off.

4 Steps to Starting Your Own Business

Sometimes the job search doesn't go as we plan, sometimes we wish we could just switch careers, and sometimes we wish we could be our own boss. If you are part of the 80 percent of individuals who have thought about starting their own business, you can actually make it happen. Yes, it might be hard getting started, but on the other hand there is a chance that it could also be easy. If having your own business is the path you want to take, it is definitely achievable.

When toying with the idea of starting your own business, I'm sure many questions come to mind. Maybe you're thinking: Where do  I start? Where will I get the money? How will I promote? What should my business even be? These are all practical  and legitimate questions, but they should not stop you from achieving our dream of opening up a business of your own.

If you have no clue what your business should be, or where to get started, try following these steps:

1) Write: The very first thing you need to do is figure out who you are.  Once you know who you are,then you can decide what you want to do. One of the best ways to figure out who you really are is to write. Write out a resume to see what skills you have and see if anything points towards a business that you can own. If that doesn't help, take a piece of paper and write down five things you are good at. Underneath, write 5 things you love to do. Once you have both lists, see where there is an overlap. Take those overlaps and ask yourself if anyone would be willing to pay you to do those things.

For example, let's say you're good at playing basketball and it is also something you want to do. You know how to coach and love the game. So, ask yourself would people pay you for lessons or maybe to start up your own club team? If you have the skills and the passion. Go for it!

                                               

2) Read: Once you have some idea of the skills and passions that overlap, and someone would pay you for, start to get some information on running your own business. To get started, there are many useful websites that you can find online for free. Reading articles on starting up your own business will give you some valuable insight and help you determine if it is actually something you would like to do.
Some helpful websites include:
Free Agent Nation 
Workforce
Small Business Administration

3) Explore:  Unfortunately, a lot of start off companies do not end up making it. To avoid this happening to you, interview others who are in a similar line of business. When you explore you should:
Determine the experience, skills, and knowledge needed for your business to work.
Determine the experience, skills, and knowledge that you have.
Hire someone who has the skills that you lack, but are needed.

For example, every business needs someone to do the accounting work, but you don't have the slightest clue as to how to correctly make a balance sheet. So, you can either find a friend who is willing to help you, or hire an accountant for your business.

4) Get Feedback:  After writing, reading, and exploring, you need to get some feedback to see if you are really cut out for the type of business that you are trying to open. To do this, you can take self-examination type surveys, and you can also get feedback from the people around you. There is a helpful website called Checkster, which allows you to request answers from friends and colleagues about you and your past work. The report is mailed to you and is free.

If you have a spouse or partner, it is very important to remember to ask them for feedback. Find out what their opinion is and how they feel about the sacrifices that will need to be made in order to make your business idea succeed.

If starting a business is your dream, and you have the skills to make it happen, you should take the leap. Just remember that starting a business is always going to be risky, but evaluating yourself and talking to others should help you determine if the choice is right for you. It might come easy, or you might struggle, so you should have a plan B and always know where you are going!