How to Know Your Worth

This is a follow-up entry on the previous article entitled “Know Your Worth.” Now that we know that it is essential for an executive, whether applying for a manager job or a director job, to know what salary fits his or her competence, let us know talk about how you can determine your worth in terms of monetary compensation and those that come in the form of perks and benefits.

• Go to a salary website. There are a lot of resources available online that you can use to determine the decent salary range for your position, based on your accomplishments and competency. Use these websites’ salaries as ballpark figures. Of course, you also have to figure out your personal expenses, such as rent and utilities. Doing this will give you an informed decision on the salary range that you will give, this giving you more confidence during the negotiation process.

• Give a range, and tell them it’s negotiable. This is where your knowledge of industry standards will come in handy – in coming up with a range that will not shortchange you and at the same time will not be out of bounds. Come negotiation time, you will be able to justify your desired salary. Also be truthful about your salary history. Do not lie about your past salary, whether it was too low or too high. If it was low and your asking salary is too high, justify it by letting them know of what you’re going to bring to the table. If your past salary is way above your current asking compensation amount, you can assure them that you are willing to start from the bottom. This is especially essential if you are transferring to an industry or career that is new.

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Why It’s Okay to be a Bit of a Narcissist

Okay, we’re not justifying selfishness and vanity. What we want to get across is that it’s all right to love yourself, as long as it will not be detrimental and damaging to others. If you’re a bit of a narcissist, and I’m not sure how you admit it, then you just need to tone it down a little and be more mindful of others. On the other hand, if you’re on the opposite spectrum, you need your confidence to be boosted. There are a lot of advantages to being a bit of a narcissist, and as long as you identify the uses of self-love, you’re all good.

Now, let us take a look at how you can bank on your narcissism and use it in your career:

Becoming more assertive; more confident

The unhealthy kind of self-love may stem from a deep-seated insecurity, and so the effect is a selfish way to assert oneself. However, the healthy kind of narcissism places more importance on acknowledging one’s abilities and skills, and stepping out when they’re needed. Come on, if you don’t have any kind of love for yourself, you wouldn’t end up in an executive position. So mix modesty with some bragging to boost your confidence when the situation calls for it.

Imagine going to a job interview for an accounting job and knowing that you’re going against candidates who are already inside the company. How can you prove that you’re better than the others? A lot of times, fear and insecurities will creep in our minds, and even before we place our foot inside the interview room, we’ve already concluded that we’re not going to make it. The narcissist in you know that it’s not that way, so tap into that and give yourself due credit. From there, you’ll have more confidence and you will be able to present yourself better during the interview.

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Know Your Worth

One of the most difficult questions an executive can ever hear is this: How much are you worth? You can have the most difficult finance job or banking job and still not know the answer to this question. However, it is one that needs an answer. Sure, fresh graduates would find it difficult to answer, but more so when it comes to executives, whose salary range can be as wide as it can be.

Really, the answer to such question is affected by a lot of different factors, such as the following:

• You really don’t know how much you’re worth. You may have been in the same position for a long time, and you are unaware of the job market as it is now.
• You’re not comfortable with how much you’re getting. Either you feel shortchanged or you feel that your salary is too high for what you’re doing.
• You don’t care about the salary. As long as you get a job offer, you’re good.

Even though you fall into the third category, the category of people who don’t care so much about the salary as long as they’re given their dream job, still knowing how much you’re worth is of utmost importance. Why? Because your perception of yourself and your value is reflected on the amount of salary that you want to negotiate for. In other words, your salary is very important. Your expected amount may even get you the job, as it can show how sure you are of yourself and of your abilities.

So think about your salary as early as possible. There are but a few times in your life that you get to dictate how much you want to get, so don’t blow it off. Once you agree on the amount that they offer, you might not get a chance to renegotiate it again. You, among the many people involved in a job application, are the one who should be aware of your worth in terms of monthly salary and other benefits.

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Is the Resume on Paper Dead?

A lot of executives are getting more and more uncomfortable as stream of Generation Y professionals continue to populate Singapore’s corporate landscape. Senior leaders sometimes feel that they are on the losing end, without knowledge of what seems to be basic today – technology talk and more tech-driven ways.

One of the things that tech is said to be taking its effect upon is the resume, the one weapon that jobseekers use to attract an employer. If you  just got back on theexecutive jobs search train, you might be confused as to what you should do about it. The fact of the matter is that technology has had a lot of effect on the resume, not only on how it is sent and received, but also on how it is presented.

Why? Because resumes are now sent online. Although we’re not saying that a paperless office is what a typical Singapore company is today, we’re also not dismissing the fact that communications are now primarily through the Internet. Your resume should be effective when mailed in, and it should be effective when e-mailed in. Here are a few tips that can help you get picked from the thousands of other resumes that employers receive:

• Know who you’re applying for. Check out your prospective employer’s website so that you will get a better grasp of their company culture. View their About Us page and read their mission and vision, taking not of words that describe what it’s like to work in their company. For instance, if they emphasize on the youth and energy of their company, highlight achievements that are related to accomplishing work that involves teamwork and group dynamics. So even though you’re applying for two accountant jobs, you might get a better shot at both if you submit two different customized resumes.
• Use their words. Forget about thinking of super creative words to sell yourself to the employer. As much as possible, mimic the words that are used in the job description of the position you are applying for. It can be as simple as including the word “published” if you are aiming to get a job as an editor in a magazine.

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Reduce Stress Now!

Have you noticed that as you go through the years of working, your workload only gets heavier? Blame it on your improvement and growth, that is, if you can. Stress is a truth of life, actually, and as long as you know how to executively manage it, you’ll be all right. It doesn’t matter if you have the most hectic banking job orfinance job. Here are some tips that can help you reduce work stress right here, right now.

Set your sights right

You need to understand that the workplace has now changed. You always have to be on your toes, minding not only your day to day tasks, but also the job market and how your colleagues are continuously running in the race to be at the top. To reduce stress, should you just step away from the riot and mind your own business? Of course not!

Managing stress is not about walking away from the executive career journey. Instead, it is one that recognizes and acknowledging the stressors, and having the right attitude towards it. So what if you need to learn something new to be able to project a better reputation to HR practitioners and to employers? Look at it as a good thing!

Another important aspect of it is the ideal that you, above anyone or anything else, are in control of your own career. If you will sulk in a corner every time you are faced with a challenge, you will only be hurting your professional life. So dust your suit off and get back to tackling important tasks.

Know the purpose of everything you do

If you find more meaning in browsing Facebook than doing your task, then you have a problem. Before you get to appreciate work and lessen the negative effects of it in your disposition, first set your priorities. As soon as you are able to identify and segregate the important things and those that are not, then you can find more purpose in your job and in the day to day tasks that it entails.

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Tips for the Traveling Executive

We have a lot, so if you’re one road warrior in an executive job that requires a lot of travel, listen up and get better at mastering the art of traveling for work.

• Pack light. You don’t want to lug around large bags that contain the same pieces. Just have your clothes washed through the laundry services of hotel. This way, you will also not be at risk of overweight baggage.
• Bring your favorite liquids. Be it liquid soap or lotion, these are the stuff that make travel as comfortable as possible. Pour them in small containers. That way, you hit three birds with one stone: you have a lighter baggage, your liquids will not be confiscated, you can bring your favorite scents wherever you go.
• Double-book. Do this for meetings that are crucial when you can’t afford a canceled or delayed flight. It is best to get a refundable ticket from another local airport or airline. But then again, booking a flight that will bring you a couple of days before your meeting is the best thing to do.

• Know the rules in the country you’ll go to. Some countries don’t permit passports holders that have stamps of certain countries. To be sure, get a restricted passport, which will give you entrance to such countries regardless of your previous destinations.
• Be updated. Download apps that will give you real time updates of flights, weather and news. There are simple applications that only take a single command from you and will instantly give you answers to questions like “Is my flight on time?”
• Check for long-term rates. There are hotels that give lower rates for visitors who will stay for a long time. So if you are attending to business matters for a month or so, find out more about these promos, and save your company some money without having to downgrade your accommodations. You don’t need to be inaccountant jobs to figure this out.

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How Staying Employed Is Much Like Running a Business

A lot of jobseekers simply log their resume in a job site, and hope for the best with fingers crossed. What they don’t know is that searching for a job is much like running and managing your own business – it needs so much more than a great product or a great menu. So start considering yourself as a CEO of your own company, and that you’re selling yourself to employers. From that standpoint, keep this checklist in mind (or on your notes if you don’t like memorizing) to stay employed and in the best position you can have:

• Pool your resume and documents together. Think of it as a portfolio that will intrigue employers. Take note of the word “intrigue”. This means that having a resume and submitting it along with an application letter is all that you need to do. In fact, having your resume is only the beginning. Attach all relevant documents. If you are a tech writer, attach your best pieces of articles and content. Also include all proofs of awards.

• Based on your career target, re-craft your resume. Who is your market? If your business is not targeted specifically to the kind of people you want to sell to, you will fail. So fine tune your resume based on your career goals. Do you want to take a technical route, something along the lines of senior programmer, or do you want to become a leader? Also consider your industry, what kinds of positions pay well in financial jobs or banking jobs? Even rearranging your accomplishments will work to highlight what you want to emphasize.

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Bullet Proofing Your Career

Finding a good job and keeping it secure are two tough challenges that go hand in hand. With the job market getting more volatile and employees frantically moving until they get their dream job, staying employed now requires more efforts and clearer strategies that are done consistently.

You have to know that posting your resume in different executive job sites will do the trick. You’re wrong. It is a common notion that since we now live in a digital age, getting a job is easier. The opposite is true, in fact. That since it is now very easy to find information, our jobs are now more at risk to be lost because HR practitioners now find it so easy to find new talents.

You also have to know that jobs you want are not likely to be found in the Internet. Most executive jobs are filled through referrals and other ways that are not seen by most jobseekers who are on the Internet. That said, you need to learn how to position yourself in such a way that you will not be easily replaced. And if you get replaced, that should be because you displaced yourself from the position.

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Salary Negotiation 101

So, you aim to start the New Year with a bang. You are positive that you will land the best job for you. After the numerous interviews you went to, the appointments you made, and the networking strategies that you employed, you are finally offered the job – THE job that you want. What’s next?

Salary negotiation. It is called such because yes you can negotiate. Any executive has the position to ask for the salary that he knows he deserves. But how do you go about it? How can you make sure that you are not short-changed, but at the same time you will not sound too demanding? Here are some tips:

• Research well. Knowing your position, whether it is a manager job or a director job, and your market value will help you determine a salary range that you deserve. It would be best to ask colleagues, check websites regarding salaries, or ask your friends who are in the same position or industry that you are in. Moreover, make sure that you consider the location of the work. Check the salaries of executives in that location, and from there, you can gauge how much you deserve.
• Discuss your salary with the person you will work for. This means that you have to go beyond the human resource person when it comes to negotiating for your salary. For all the HR representative knows, you are an expense. However, if you talk with your future boss, you can negotiate with clearer points, and you will even be more likely to be given the position with the salary that you would like to get.
• Again, point out your uniqueness. You will not be able to demand the salary that you want to get if you are not able to emphasize or demonstrate your uniqueness. Prove once again that you are the best person for the job by mentioning it during the negotiation. If you can bring in more profit into the company, then by all means your future boss will give you the salary that you really want.

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Networking Myths

As an executive amid the numerous Singapore jobs, you’ve surely heard a lot of people tell you that you need to network to achieve success in the corporate world. If you still have not applied it, you are missing out on a lot. Maybe you think that it really has no weight on one’s career, or that all you need are your skills and your achievements and you will surely land the job that you have always wanted. Here are some myths that may be lingering in your mind. Let’s debunk them one by one.

Networking requires some faking.

If you don’t like interacting with different people, then maybe networking to you only means forcing laughs at a party and trying your best to think of interesting topics to ensure that there’s no dead air. Another face of that idea is that the only goal of networking is to gather contacts and make sure that you are able to sell yourself to them.

However, networking is not only directed at ensuring that somebody remembers you and your position in your company. It is part of building your personal brand. To some people, it is also a great way of unwinding, more like shooting two birds at one stone. As long as you are aware of the value of networking, you will not think that networking is all but a chore.

Networking is only for people without contacts.

This is false. There is a big difference between knowing people and interacting with them. If all you are to other executives in your industry is a name, then having contacts will do you no good. Networking is getting people to refer you, gaining their trust so that they can and will vouch for you. There are a lot of networking practices that go beyond simply introducing yourself. For instance, if you reconnect with your college friends, let them know that you are now a manager of a top company.

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Making Your Mark as a Jobseeker

The competition among jobseekers, especially in executive jobs, is only getting tougher. That said, you need to have a clear strategy in job seeking. Don’t leave your career’s destiny to the odds. You need to learn how to take action. Imagine it as your campaign or project and your goal is to sell yourself to the best employer there is. If you take it really seriously, your job search may be the most demanding project you’ve had, but it will also definitely be the most rewarding. Here are some practices you can adopt:

• Identify your selling point. What makes you unique? Sure, you are proficient in using the most advanced tools in your industry, but everybody else is. Think of a characteristic that will distinguish you from the rest. This may be a difficult task, but it will serve as your jumping board. Ask your friends, colleagues and family to help you identify your main strength which can be your selling point as you look for a new job this coming year.

• Identify your market. In other words, identify the kind of company or employer that you want to work for and with. Sending out your resume in a way similar to giving out flyers will simply not work. It can be damaging to your reputation in the Singapore job market, and may also cause you to go to unnecessary job interviews. Do you want to work in a multinational company, or are you targeting startups? Would you want to lead a team, or do you want a purely technical job?  Answers to such questions will help you narrow down your search and come up with a short list of employers you can give your focus and attention to. Whether you are looking for accountant jobs or IT positions, this step is vital in finding the best job for you.

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What It Takes to Land the Best Job

In every industry, from financial jobs to banking jobs, there are highly coveted positions. In media, for instance, news anchors and the like are the most sought after jobs. What is it in your industry? Think of it and evaluate yourself. Do you want to get that kind of a job? Do you want to get that kind of a job from a specific company, which in your mind is the best? Then hustle up and get the following things covered:

• Be updated. The early bird catches the first worm, the best among the rest. Surely the best jobs in your industry are always watched. Don’t wait for a job advertisement before you submit your resume. If you have colleagues or friends in the company, ask them to let you know as soon as they find out about a vacant position. Better yet, proactively ask the company you want to work for if they can open up a position for you.

• Speak with the hiring manager. Again, this is going beyond resume submission. When you speak to the hiring manager, you make the impression that you really mean business, that you really want the job. Just make sure that you don’t come off as a rude and arrogant professional, as it will cost you the position you’re applying for, and possibly all the other positions that will open up.
• Stay in touch. Executive job positions are filled most commonly through personal referrals. Perhaps this is because executive positions are crucial, and hiring managers would not even consider someone who has nobody to speak well about them. So make sure that your list of contacts is always updated. This means that aside from having a list of people you know, you get to talk with them once in a while.

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