Can You Ask for a Raise in This Economy?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/h3/ar5c88973jxw18k505h3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/h3/ar5c88973jxw18k505h3.gif" /></a><br /></div><br />Ever since the economy went south last fall, workers have considered themselves lucky just to have jobs. Complaints about annoying co-workers or boring meetings have been followed by, "Well, at least I've got a job to complain about."<br /><br />That sentiment isn't misguided, but it also leaves workers vulnerable to unfavorable work conditions because they don't want to appear ungrateful. Maybe the fear of being fired (and easily replaced) in this economy is the stronger influence. Either way, employees can't let their fear outweigh their professional goals.<br /><br />A common workplace ambition is to earn more money or, at the very least, be fairly compensated for a job well done. Salary talks are always tricky ventures, and they're made even worse with high unemployment figures sitting in the back of your mind. That shouldn't stop you from asking for a raise, says Marshal Backlar, president of Backlar Consultants.<br /><br />"Let's put aside the economy and every other excuse, unless your company is on the verge of bankruptcy. The real issue is [whether you are] confident in the statement, 'I deserve a raise now,'" Backlar says. Deserving a raise is very different from wanting one.<br /><br />"If your performance and the quantifiable results from your initiatives have exceeded expectations and have resulted in X increase in profits, Y cost savings, Z brand expansion or customer base ... then move forward," he says. "But remember, timing is important: Knowing your company's culture and climate, and your boss's mood and confidence, will enable you to choose your time well. Just as important, you must understand and respond to the 'them' part of the equation."<br /><br />Look at it from the other side of the desk<br />Whether you can ask for a raise in this economy and whether you'll get one are two separate issues. Todd M. Schoenberger, managing director of LandColt Trading, isn't thinking about the unemployment figures when an employee asks him for a raise. He's thinking about many of the things Backlar mentioned, and then some.<br /><br />"I have no problem with one of my directs coming to me asking for a raise -- actually, I would rather them come to me and give me an opportunity to give them something before they start down the path of looking elsewhere," he says. In addition to how much they're worth to the firm and how much they cost (once he factors in business expenses and camaraderie with the rest of the team), he considers whether they're willing and able to take on more responsibility as a result of the pay bump.<br /><br />"The third one is most critical because employees have to sell themselves if they want more money, and the best way to do that is to almost beg for new roles and responsibilities," Backlar explains. "Simply asking for more money because they just want more money isn't going to cut it and will actually look poorly upon the individual."<br /><br />The best way to demonstrate your contribution and worth to the company is to spell it out on paper, says business development specialist Nancy Fox.<br /><br />"Come with a one-pager of all your tangible accomplishments documented," Fox says. "This means you've likely been keeping a written accomplishment log so that you haven't forgotten what you've produced for the company."<br /><br />But that's not your only task for the discussion. Fox says preparation and critical thinking are essential when discussing salary, and she's not just referring to the accomplishment log.<br /><br />"You must time your conversation carefully," she says. "Don't set up the meeting to discuss this during a crisis or when your boss is late for a meeting or business trip."<br /><br />Also think about whether your boss is the head of the company, or if he or she has to answer to someone else. If you're going to make a raise seem like the correct and logical action, you need to know what chain of command your boss will have to go through, Fox says. As a result, don't assume this one conversation is the final word on the issue.<br /><br />"You must be prepared for a negotiation. 'If not now, can we schedule a date for the next conversation?' or, 'If not the dollar amount I had in mind, is there a more viable figure?'" Fox says. "In other words, the response may be 'no,' but not 'no forever.'"<br /><br />Thomasina Tafur, consultant and entrepreneur, agrees that employees need to stay flexible during these talks.<br /><br />"If you're not granted a raise, don't take it personally," Tafur says. "Simply ask what you need to do -- and don't accept that the economy has to improve; that's a weak excuse -- and then follow through and go above and beyond to achieve it." Tafur recommends looking at paid tuition, additional paid vacation days or even stock options if a permanent salary increase isn't possible.<br /><br />However you look at it, asking for a raise is possible in this economy if you know your audience and have a plan. With the right approach, you could end up getting a bigger paycheck, more job responsibilities and a boost of confidence.<br /><br />Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

Can You Ask for a Raise in This Economy?

Ever since the economy went south last fall, workers have considered themselves lucky just to have jobs. Complaints about annoying co-workers or boring meetings have been followed by, "Well, at least I've got a job to complain about."That sentiment i…

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Networking Isn't Working? - 4 easy fixes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/27/ar5c54771gtsfcgybf27.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="http://emj.icbdr.com/artieimages/27/ar5c54771gtsfcgybf27.gif" /></a><br /></div>Are you sick of the word "networking" yet? It seems to be on everyone's lips -- all those millions of people just like you who are looking for a new job. Networking is a lot of work. And if everyone is doing it, where's the competitive advantage? <br /><br />Here's the secret: Almost everyone is doing a lousy job of it. Do it well (even if you hate it), and you're already well ahead of the herd.<br /><br />For most people networking is a big, shapeless drag -- something they do when they're not prowling the job boards. There's that luck-of-the-draw feeling about it, especially when you hear stories about how someone was at the right place at the right time. If you're not a prom queen or golf pro, you're doomed. If you'd rather be at home with a book than out there soullessly schmoozing strangers who would otherwise bore you, wouldn't time pass more quickly in your easy chair? At least you're less likely to spend money when you're at home. <br /><br />Still, despite your preferences, you're out there. But this networking thing's not working for you, is it? Let's find out why not and what to do about it:<br /><br />1. Going to networking events has all the appeal of visiting a compost pile. <br />Are you a little tired of seeing the same sad-sack faces month in and month out? Join the club; they're probably tired of seeing yours. Networking events are a great opportunity to meet people who don't have jobs. But they're terrible for meeting people with jobs. (If you were happily employed, would you hang out with this crowd? We thought not.) <br /><br />Your fixes: Connections and courage. Make connections beyond these networking-only events. Have the courage to ask for introductions to leaders and experts in your field, to your counterparts in other companies (even your former competitors). Go to conferences and receptions. Go to every single party you're invited to. <br /><br />2. Your friends cross the street when they see you coming. <br />You might have burned out your relationships by being so focused on your frustrations in finding a job. Think about your recent conversations. Are you just hearing the sound of your own voice in your memory's ear? Can you even name your best friend's children anymore? Instead of saying "Hi" to you, do they just cut to, "Nope, nothing yet"?<br /><br />Your fix: Courtesy. It's natural to use your friends and family as your networking jumping-off place. But if you just use them as immediate connections to a sure-thing job opportunity, you're going to burn out your friendships pronto. Definitely let them know that you're looking for work -- there's no shame there at all. And ask them for introductions to people they might know who would be able to move your search forward (a co-worker, for example, might know someone who knows someone). Don't put them on the spot of always having to say no when you ask them, "Do you know of any jobs out there?" Pretty soon you'll have the sidewalk to yourself.<br /><br />Word to wise: When you are introduced to people, remember to thank your friends (thank all of your networking partners, for that matter) with e-mail updates, even formal, handwritten notes from time to time. Everyone likes to see their friends make progress out of a life crisis, and everyone likes to feel appreciated for the part they played in your journey to better times. <br /><br />3. You can't seem to squeeze in the time necessary for networking. <br />Let's face it, right now you probably are more tempted by projects that have a sure-thing conclusion and that will give you the satisfaction of actually accomplishing something. And you deserve those gratifications of jobs well done -- or, well, at least done. Yet somehow, making those phone calls just never seems to happen. <br /><br />Your fix: Commitment. For starters, commit yourself to making five phone calls a day. Make it easy on yourself: Have a brief script ready to work off of, so you don't have to start cold with each phone call. Be comfortable (in your desk chair, not that easy chair). Commit yourself to filling your "funnel" of contacts and leads, just like salespeople do. With every "no" you hear, you still have plenty more phone calls to make and conversations to follow up on ... and no single rejection is ever the end of the world.<br /><br />4. You're doing everything right and your networking still isn't working. <br />How do you know it's not working? OK, so the obvious is indisputable: You still don't have a job. But with enthusiastic networking filled with a variety of contacts and introductions, you've set events in motion that you might not even be aware of: People may be talking about you and brainstorming with each other about whom else to introduce you to; someone might be checking with HR right this very minute to see how a position can be created for you. <br /><br />Your fix: Patience. These things take time. Cold comfort, we know, when the mortgage is due. But your alternative, which is to not network at all, will get you nowhere. Keep up your commitment. Keep growing your connections. Remember to be courteous to your friends and expanding networks.<br /><br />And the right job will come. <br /><br />By Duncan Mathison and Martha I. Finney co-authors of the new book "Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Job Search When Times Are Tight." For a free sample chapter, visit: www.unlockthehiddenjobmarket.com.

Networking Isn't Working? - 4 easy fixes

Are you sick of the word "networking" yet? It seems to be on everyone's lips -- all those millions of people just like you who are looking for a new job. Networking is a lot of work. And if everyone is doing it, where's the competitive advantage? Her…

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Day 7: I was superwoman this morning!

I'm not one to toot my own horn, but this morning, I rocked it at the gym. Seriously, I really did.<br /><br />After yet another sleepless night of coughing and hacking in spite of my nightly shot of NyQuil, I woke up in a foul mood. Really unhappy and tired. My first thought was noooooo! I can't, and darn it, I won't!<br /><br />I reluctantly got dressed in my workout clothes, stood in the kitchen in the dark and drank a cup of coffee. I was thinking about how bad I felt and I was sick and it's only 17 degrees, and well, the excuses to not workout were endless. An entire repertoire of "poor me!", this isn't fair.<br /><br />Luckily, my inner skinny girl that's fighting against my outer fat girl said get your butt out of the house, in that car and to the gym. I promised myself 20 minutes on the StairMaster and I could come home.<br /><br />Well, I did 30 minutes on the StairMaster, from level 4 all the way up to level 9. Then I worked out with the weights for a full 30 minutes. I was a soaking, wet mess by the end. The weird thing, I didn't cough once during my entire workout. My nose was runny, but no coughing. My lungs were on fire and my throat burned, but that was all.<br /><br />Of course now I'm coughing non-stop, but hey - I did it! Superwoman returns!

Day 7: I was superwoman this morning!

I'm not one to toot my own horn, but this morning, I rocked it at the gym. Seriously, I really did.After yet another sleepless night of coughing and hacking in spite of my nightly shot of NyQuil, I woke up in a foul mood. Really unhappy and tired. My…

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Croissance des "emplois verts"

<BR><br />Le 1er décembre 2009, l’<a href="http://www.ademe.fr/" "target=_blank">ADEME</a> a présenté les résultats de son étude annuelle sur les marchés et les emplois liés à l'amélioration de l’efficacité énergétique et au développement des énergies renouvelables. <br /><br />Cette étude montre que ces marchés restent dynamiques et porteurs d'emplois, malgré la crise économique.<br /><br />Avec une croissance de 28% sur la période 2006-2008, il s'agit d'un des secteurs qui résistent le mieux à la crise économique.<br /><br />Le secteur pourrait atteindre environ <strong>300 000 emplois équivalent temps plein en 2009</strong>, soit une augmentation de 90 000 emplois depuis 2006.<br /><br />L’étude « <a href="http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/getBin?name=7E6DB87B61B0C49AD27F03D0A9235F701259586175705.pdf" "target=_blank">Marchés, emplois et enjeu énergétique des activités liées aux énergies renouvelables et à l’efficacité énergétique</a> » permet de suivre sur plusieurs années l’évolution des marchés sur ces secteurs. Elle contribuera à l’observatoire national des métiers de la croissance verte qui sera mis en place en 2010. <br /><br />Sont téléchargeables sur le site de l'Ademe :<ul><li><a href="http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/getBin?name=FAB48314A7C888FADBDA57A25C99F4A21259852790531.pdf" "target=_blank">le communiqué de presse</a><br /><li><a href="http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/getBin?name=EBD95ECCE051352371BD189F1E77A5C41259664618293.pdf" "target=_blank">la synthèse de l'étude</a><br /><li><a href="http://www2.ademe.fr/servlet/getBin?name=7E6DB87B61B0C49AD27F03D0A9235F701259586175705.pdf" "target=_blank">l'intégralité de l'étude</a></ul>

Croissance des "emplois verts"

Le 1er décembre 2009, l’ADEME a présenté les résultats de son étude annuelle sur les marchés et les emplois liés à l'amélioration de l’efficacité énergétique et au développement des énergies renouvelables. Cette étude montre que ces marchés restent d…

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