Blog entries March 2010
03/15/2010From the Trenches - Why 2010 isn't 2009
The early signs of recovery...I recognized them immediately. I'd seen the same cycle in the early 1980's when unemployment had also reached 10% and then again in the early 1990s. Sitting in a Columbus, Ohio location, mine was a microscopic view of what was happening to all career practitioners, nationwide. However, without access to today's 24/7 cable TV, social media and the online news media at large, we industry pros could not compare up to the minute notes and could only offer educated guesses. Nevertheless in terms of recovery we were all seeing similar signs of improvement. Now as we communicate on all continents we are all seeing all similar happenings.
In the fourth quarter of 2009 heading into 2010 small changes in the hiring atmosphere showed signs of optimism. After an entire Spring and summer of intensive job hunting, candidates were fatigued and discouraged. Their response levels seemed to be at an all-time low; it didn't seem to matter how savvy their search strategies. Oddly enough in the sleepy month of August changes began to occur. The seeds of search sown in the first three quarters of the year began to generate results.
The number of job openings seemed to increase and candidates began to see interview activity. Employers began to call strong candidates and no longer took months to make decisions. The final point of optimism came in a renewed sense of employer generosity when job offers were extended. Sign-on bonuses were back! By December most of our summer candidates were hired, one actually receiving an offer on December 23rd.
Now in 2010 comes the return of multiple job offers. We know that this is happening only to the most qualified and prepared candidates but this is cause for continued optimism. And finally, according to the Department of Labor, the number of openings in January rose about 7.6 percent, to 2.7 million, compared with December. That's the highest total since February 2009.
Janice Worthington
03/02/2010Negotiate the Salary You Deserve Despite Tough Market
Congratulations! You landed an interview with a great company for your dream job! You had your résumé polished; you utilized state of the art distribution methods, and you networked, networked, networked. Now the interviewing process is about to begin and you’ve been coached to win the offer. Way to go! Well not exactly unless you remember that this is not volunteer work and someone will have to determine how much you are to be paid. Such an indelicate exercise!
The interview-to-job offer process is much like the dating-to-marriage ritual. After a positive first impression, everyone is hopeful, and they continue spending time together discussing mutual goals. As compatibility is identified the parties involved become more encouraged and convinced that each will help the other realize his dreams. Shortcomings and deficits are either rationalized or overlooked while emotional optimism increases. Much like in a romantic relationship, prospective employers and candidates experience an “employment-high” which, if all continues to go well, will become more intense. Then it's time to talk $.
Employers will never pass over a strong candidate because you were wise enough not to show your hand only to potentially be screened out. Many HR folks are amazed at how little savvy an executive appears to possess when he blatantly spills his most precious secret, his current appraised value. An alternative plan is to include a statement in your cover letter explaining that you are currently being compensated based on your qualifications and achievements, and while you’re not willing to publish this information you would be more than happy to discuss it in an interview.
One final note: If you are taking a job solely for the compensation you could be taking the wrong job. While it’s tempting to grab an opportunity in a tight market understand that you still have a career record to consider. The decisions you make today need to be grounded in common sense, foresight and credibility because you will want to be able to leverage not defend these decisions in the future.
Janice Worthington