AMiable Solution #11: Selling Yourself, Part 4: Negotiating a Salary

The economy is tough, but the job market is tougher, right? Despite how it may feel, job candidates actually do have some power and some say in the salaries they make. The trick is to choose your words wisely.

When possible, wait for an offer to talk salary numbers. If you're the first to mention a figure, you can eliminate yourself from consideration, either for being too "expensive" or too "cheap." Jack Chapman, in his February 14, 2012, article on TheLadders.com, says that, "If you discuss salary in any detail before the employer really gets a sense of what you’re worth, or before the employer has decided which candidate he/she wants to interview, you’re almost always pushing yourself out of the range." If a human resources or hiring managers asks you for your current or desired salary before an offer is made, simply say "competitive."

Be willing—and prepared—to negotiate. Once you receive an offer, give yourself 24 hours to consider it and respond. When you do respond, have your facts together: know what your market value is and what you're willing to concede. You may be surprised by what the employer is willing to offer when you're willing to let something go.

Finding a job can be one of life's most stressful tasks. Approach it with confidence.

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AMiable Solution #10: Selling Yourself, Part 3: Nailing an Interview

Anyone who has ever actively searched for a job knows that the most painful part of submitting a resume to a prospective employer is the waiting that occurs once the resume is sent. Will you get a call? Will you be asked in for an interview? If you are, how can you be sure you'll make the best possible impression?

For those answers, we turned to veteran recruiter Megan Cuthbertson.

For starters, Megan says, give yourself every chance to be successful. Research not only the company but also any available alumni groups to get a feel for the company and the position. Prepare questions and prepare for questions. If the interview location is in unfamiliar territory, drive the route ahead of time so you know where you're going, where you're going to park, and how long it takes to get there. And, remember that the interview really starts with that first phone call. Treat the caller, and everyone else you encounter at the organization, with respect.

Once you begin the interview, be confident. "Remember," says Megan, "they asked you to be there."

Megan also advises candidates to listen carefully to the questions they're asked and to answer those questions only. Don't offer additional information: nervous chatter can backfire on you. Make sure, too, that you understand the role. Ask the interviewer to walk you through a typical day in the position.

Before you leave, reiterate your interest in the position. Then, ask if anyone at the company has any reservations about your ability to fulfill the role. This, Megan says, gives employers an opportunity to address their concerns about you before you walk out the door.

When the interview is over, don't forget to follow-up with a thank you. If you missed our March enewsletter, be sure to check it out here, http://www.amidirect.com/files/enewsmar2012.pdf, to see why following-up can be so important.
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AMiable Solution #9: Selling Yourself, Part 2: Understanding Job Ads

How often have you been interested in a position but didn't apply because you didn't think you met all of the necessary qualifications? Although you may have been taught to skip the ads that included responsibilities beyond your experience, the folks at CareerBuilder.com say that by applying for only positions that you're "perfectly matched" for, you could be missing an opportunity.

So how do you know if you should apply? Look closely at the language used in the job description.

If the description says "experience required," it means that the employer is looking for candidates who have done most of the tasks advertised. The amount of experience the employer is looking for, according to CareerBuilder writer Larry Buhl, may be negotiable, so if your experience matches the majority of the duties listed, edit your resume to address those particular experiences/skills and send it in.

If the job description says "experience preferred," then you should submit your resume if you have some experience in the duties described. According to Buhl, an "experience preferred" claim means that the employer hopes you have experience in most of the responsibilities described but won't automatically disqualify you if you don't.

Do you have a better suggestion to offer or a challenge you'd like help with? Say it here. Your comments are always welcome.

AMiable Solution #8: Selling Yourself, Part 1: Updating Your Resume

When was the last time you updated your resume? If you haven't yet added your most recent job change, promotion, responsibilities, or accomplishments, now's the time. Whether you're actively looking for a new job or not, maintaining a current resume not only guarantees you won't forget to add important details or accomplishments, but it also alleviates some of the stress and panic associated with sudden unemployment.

Although updating a resume itself isn't a quick process (you need to give yourself time to review it carefully to avoid mistakes), evaluating it for these key elements will take only minutes. Use the list below to quickly identify and highlight the weaknesses and strengths in your resume:

• Nouns. The nouns you include will help distinguish you from other applicants and solidify your image as a competent, experienced professional. Include such nouns as the names of specific tools you use, software and hardware you use and that's unique to your job or industry, techniques you are qualified to use, professional organizations you joined, and trade shows and conferences you have attended.
• Numbers. Quantify everything you can. Don't just say, "Created and coordinated the distribution of direct mail pieces," say, "Created and coordinated the distribution of 500,000 direct mail pieces annually."
• Relevant details. Highlight your duties and accomplishments as best you can, but use what you have as a base. Then, when you do apply for a position, use the job announcement as your guide and tailor your resume to each job you apply for. Address each qualification as accurately and completely as you can, answering the question of whether you have the experience or ability to perform the responsibilities.
• Personal information. Remove from your resume any information that could be used against you, including age, race, and political or religious references.
• Design. Don't be afraid of white space, and don't minimize type size to maximize content: keep your font size at 10pt or greater. Use bullets to list your responsibilities, and keep the overall design attractive and easy to scan.
• Verbs. Look closely at the job description/position announcement you're responding to. What verbs does the announcement use to describe the position's duties? When you can, incorporate those same verbs into your resume. Varying your verb choices is also important. Make sure you choose verbs that convey meaning and power. For a free list of powerful verbs to consider using on your resume, email us at solutions@amidirect.com.

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