What's interesting to you?
Seriously now. 2011 is fast approaching and we're feeling rather anxious. Just a few days left until 2010 waves us goodbye...a few days left to prove our worth. Have our efforts helped? Whether your answer to that is a positive or a negative one, you should know that our goal is to make use of all the remaining days properly -- to write only relevant articles and go away with the rants.
Not that by asking the question, we're admitting to being incapable writers...ones that can't make uninteresting things sound interesting. Surely, our editors didn't entrust us this post without thorough evaluation of our competencies. Besides, you should have seen this one coming, considering our weird devotion to get all our readers moving for their career pursuits, may they be career builders or job hunters.
We're looking forward to using the results of the survey in revising our December calendar. After the rants and all, that's the least we can do for our readers, really.
The routines...are we thinking of suspending them? We probably will, but here's the thing: Updates on Singapore Jobs and training and development are important too. So, we're not guaranteeing anything. We understand that there are career questions that need to be answered right away and vice versa. In line with this, we'll really appreciate it if you drop us a comment below for your suggestion.
We're implementing this blogging protocol starting today. With the topic we've set, we're hoping that today's going to be intellectual and through-provoking.
As inspired by our mailbox, what we'll be doing today is answer and share our thoughts on a frequently asked question among career professionals. One reader has asked us to share our tips on requesting for advancement opportunities. Now that we think about, we haven't written anything about the topic since we featured Andree Mangels of Robert Walters through Ask an Expert (and we doubt, you still remember that instance). Now's a really good time to give the topic another shot. So...
Advancement opportunities come in many forms. We'll try to discuss as much forms as we can so, whatever your idea of the concept is, you'd find this helpful. Allow us to make it clear that our working definition includes the following: salary increase, training opportunities, promotion, work life balance. Do we have the same idea? If not, the comments section is open for your insights.
Shall we begin? Salary increase is a priority goal for many working professionals, so yes, we'll be discussing it first.
So...pay raise.
Material in nature it may be, but getting a pay raise is synonymous to being appreciated. It's quite understandable why many people impress for salary success. If you've been working hard and feel that you should be getting more than your current rate, then don't hesitate to talk to your boss regarding a pay raise. But plan for it carefully.
Career Advice is not new to this concern and keeps, in fact, a good number of articles about pay raises. There's this one from Andree that circles around the idea that more prepared and focused you are, the more likely it will be for you to achieve success in the negotiation process. Adecco Singapore's take, on the other hand, revolves around trusting your instincts during the negotiation. Makes a point because after all, there's no telling how the meeting will end. Some quotable quotes Andree and the experts at Adecco have left that you should take note of:
- You might find that you are worth more than you realise.
- When negotiating, play your cards close to the chest and be smart.
- look at the whole package and not just at a single factor.
- Justify your salary increase by basing it on your performance and contributions to the company
- Aim high but set reasonable limits so that your boss has a clear idea of your expectations.
- Depending on what motivates you, you can request for other perks that would satisfy you just as much as a pay raise.
- List down what you think would be the top five reasons your boss might not want to give you a raise, and prepare your responses to the anticipated objections.
- Keep a positive attitude through the process and let your boss know that you appreciate the time he took to at least consider your request.
And now, the burning question: Is this season a good time to ask for a raise? Based on the results of Ambition's latest survey that you can read at www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Salary%20Increments%20Bonuses?ID=562, it seems that it is. The job market has improved quite a lot since the recession. Plus the fact that the holidays are coming. Perfect setting for such a request.
For your training and development.
Training events and career seminars can be considered as side perks. But what makes them more appealing than a salary increase for us is the fact that they have something to do with long term goals. Receiving such benefits is very useful in the long term. One quite from Darryl Wee, Country Head of ACCA, that we make it a point to cite every time we write about training and development like right now: "How to develop - and keep talent - is a pressing issue for many employers around the world. It is also a matter for individuals to take on board too - how they develop and sustain their own talent. "
If this is your idea of advancement, please consider LearningDB.com as the foundation of your request. Employing only career experts, excellence is a standard for the regular seminars on communication skills, negotiating skills, writing skills, people skills, and computers skills by LearningDB.com. Visit the site for testimonials. We'll be waiting for your sign ups.
Executive buy in.
Asking for a promotion is technically a bigger request than asking for a pay raise. So if requesting for the latter will need a considerable amount of research in order to be granted, this one will need a research as thick as a thesis. Kidding aside, you shouldn't do this one on a rush. We admit that Career Advice doesn't have enough articles about this topic of career advancement yet. In the meantime, focus your preparations on these tips by career expert, Dawn Brown about gaining senior executive buy-in. We assure you it'll help. The article's pretty long, so we've summarised the key points for you:
- After learning the executive's views on the business, think about how to present your initiative in a manner that the executive is most receptive to.
- Gain insight into the executive's preferences for obtaining information and learning about initiatives.
- No matter what the executive's particular 'style' is, you don't want to say things that will trigger thoughts of negativity.
- Put it all together and create your "sales pitch."
Complete text can be viewed at www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/EN/Resources/JobSeekerArticle/Executive-Buy-in?ID=499 Take note of the salary negotiation tips above as well, to end up with an even better request!
A balanced work and life.
To request for work life balance is to ask for recreational perks to be added in your work routine. You will be surprised at how many professionals long to have this added in their work lives. Is this what's missing in your life? This is probably the easiest to request for from the four, so don't get yourself too worked up! Plus the fact that Career Advice has plenty of career articles from career experts about the topic! Our suggestions:
How To Deal With Stress
Work-Life Balance 101 Part 1
Local Trends In Work Life Balance
The Truth Behind Attaining Work/Life Balance
Work And Play Makes A Great Day
Work-Life Balance Success: Sony Electronics Group
Are you thinking of job hunting during the holidays as well? We'd like you to pay close attention to the staple 'tops' in our database. Accounting Jobs, Marketing Jobs, Engineer Jobs, IT Jobs, Call Center Jobs and Banking Jobs in Singapore are always aplenty. Take advantage...
JobsDB.com Singapore
Singapore's finest resource for jobs
http://www.jobsdb.com.sg/Singapore
JobsDB.com Singapore is committed to helping every job seeker land a good job. Currently looking for a job? Browse our jobs database and see if anything is of interest to you. It doesn't matter what industry you're in -- our jobs portal caters to every industry there is in Singapore, from Accounting Jobs and Banking Jobs in Singapore to IT Jobs and Singapore Hospitality Jobs. Let us lead your way to rewarding jobs in Singapore, jump start you career with us.
For career tips, we recommend Career Advice. From job hunting tips to career development guidelines, get advice from experts @ www.jobsdb.com.sg/SG/en/Resources/JobSeekerIndex.
