How do you really nab the job and pay you deserve? Follow these tips for salary success.
By Nadine Boisnier
Contributing Writer
Anyone who has ever had a first date can relate to the anxious feelings of a first interview. Trying to be on your best behavior while alleviating the awkwardness of meeting someone new takes practice and preparation. Getting the first interview that will lead you to the job and salary you want is attainable if you do a little research and remember some valuable advice.
YOUR RESUME
Your resume is the first piece of information representing a picture of you that a potential employer will read. “Keep it simple,” said Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, research and placement consultant for Remedy Staffing. “The key is to really define what you’re looking for and only put on relevant information.”
“Make sure there are no typos, make it easy to read and easily define your key points,” added Kavanaugh-Jones, who looks at 400 to 800 resumes a week.
Showing work experience on your resume can be vital for getting your foot in the door. “The employer wants to see that you have proven skills that they can utilize,” Greta Couper, Pepperdine’s Alumni Career Program manager and technology liason said. “Experience can be gained in volunteer work and internships as well as paid positions, so students can build their resumes showing use of important vocational skill sets before graduation.”
Be sure to take advantage of any opportunities to work in your field of interest. Your favorite company may be offering summer internships or your summer job could be a great way to start making connections. Couper also suggests going to professional association meetings and talking to people in the industry. “Network, network, network” she said.
THE INTERVIEW
Once you get a call back after sending your resume, be prepared for a potential phone interview on the spot. An employer may want to first talk to you before setting up a formal interview. Your objective is to set a time and date, so don’t forget to tell them why you are interested in the position.
The interview will show the employer how much you have prepared yourself for the job in question. Some popular, yet tough interview questions include: Why do you want to work here? What kind of experience do you have for this job? What did you dislike about your last job?
Make sure your answers are straightforward and honest. Also, using a story instead of stating hard facts can help the employer visualize you completing specific tasks.
“Really focus on your vision of what you want to do and how it fits into the company,” Kavanaugh-Jones said. “Think of stories that define your strengths.”
Kathie Kieran-Johnson, director of the Seaver College Career Center reminds students that “no one will schedule an interview if they aren’t impressed by your marketing materials.”
“In this job market a job seeker cannot afford to have these materials be anything other than A-plus quality,” she continued. “The Career Center staff can help you achieve that level.”
You can use the Career Center for resume, interviewing and job search strategy workshops which are offered almost every weekday. Also, be sure to check out the Career Fair March 26.
YOUR SALARY
The other half of the equation besides getting the interview lies in negotiating your ideal salary. While going through the process, you may be asked what type of salary you are looking for. A typical question from your prospective employer may be “How much are you willing to make?” You don’t want to be caught off guard with questions regarding your salary. More importantly, by giving your answer, you don’t want to lowball yourself or put yourself out of the running. When salary questions come up don’t avoid them — be prepared.
Do some research on salary ranges for your industry before you get to the interview. Know exactly what the position warrants in your field of interest. After you find out your range you will be more adequately prepared to give a reasonable response. Don’t bring up salary unless they bring it up first.
“It is inappropriate for an entry-level job seeker to bring up salary during the interview process,” Kieran-Johnson said. “The candidate needs to wait until the offer is made. By bringing up the topic of salary or benefits, it makes the employer think that you are just looking for any job so that you can pay your bills, etcetera, not the particular job you are interviewing for.”
Assuming you get to the offering stage, shoot for the high range as opposed to the low. Your employer can always downgrade. Leave some room for negotiation. Also, there are other perks besides salary that could come into play during the negotiation. More vacation time, flexible hour, and bonuses could all be alternatives to getting a bigger salary. Think about what you want before you go in. Indecisiveness shows you are unprepared.
Now that you have the job you want, more than likely you will be asked to participate in your company’s 401K or 403B retirement plans. What’s the difference? Tune in next time.
— Nadine Boisnier has a master’s in communication from Pepperdine. She currently works at an investment company in Santa Monica. Questions? E-mail her at nadineboisnier@hotmail.com.
March 20, 2003
