Truly great business leaders are few and far between. There are many who have mastered a particular style of command, and often this has brought them a degree of success, however in order to elevate yourself to the next level in the modern world of business you need to be flexible; willing and able to rotate through a number of varying leadership styles.
Researching a company before your job interview isn’t about standing out anymore. Today it’s about keeping up and staying on the short-list. Not so long ago, job seekers who wanted to stand out in an interview were advised to research the company and interviewer. You could use your research to determine which examples of your work you should share when answering questions and any sentence starting with ‘I saw on your website…’ was sure to impress.
Continue reading Jobseekers, there’s really no excuse: Research before your interview
Over the coming weeks I will be publishing a series of articles on issues and opportunities which the finance industry faces in today’s environment.
Continue reading Business partners should be seen, and heard
Banking is at a crossroads. The industry is facing multiple challenges: disruptive competition from Fintech; an intense raging war for talent; new consumer needs; a tighter regulatory framework and the fast pace of digitalization. Staying competitive and retaining talented staff is increasingly difficult for financial firms. The result is the rise of ‘intrapreneurship’, or letting entrepreneurs loose within financial institutions – with surprising effects.
Continue reading Intrapreneurship and labs: how banks are fostering innovation
A job interview is not just a tool for an employer to find the right people for their business; they’re also an opportunity for you, as a candidate, to assess whether that employer is the right fit for you.
From the first day in a new role you should already be thinking about your next step. Having a considered career plan is often the difference between those who achieve their career ambitions and those who don’t.
I’ve never been one to work in the same role for years, waiting and hoping that one day I will be recognised. I’m a firm believer in making it happen for yourself, and that’s exactly what I’ve done at each stage in my career. I’ve travelled around the world in order to progress and advance my skillset; starting out in the United Kingdom before moving to live in Australia, Japan and now China – although I understand that I’m fortunate to work for a global enterprise like Hays and not everyone has such extensive global mobility options.
Promotion doesn’t come to those who wait around patiently, it’s a reward for those who develop and execute plans of progression. They are won, not given.
Getting a promotion internally is often easier than it is by switching to another organisation to move up the ladder. This is largely because once you’re embedded in a business you’re familiar with the business’ values and objectives, whilst you should have also allied yourself with enough colleagues to help you progress to that next level. However, if you’re not getting the recognition you deserve – even after following the advice offered below – then don’t be afraid to leave the organisation and seek a promotion elsewhere.
A recent study conducted by Accenture found that fewer than half of all respondents were satisfied in their current job, but nearly three-quarters of them planned to stay with their companies. From my perspective, this is simply unacceptable. If you’re not getting what you want from your current employer then you need to think seriously about your career direction. But don’t be too hasty, you’ve got a few options before you tender your letter of resignation.
Go above and beyond the job specification
Those who coast by, happy to just about tick all the boxes are rarely those selected for a promotion. In order to step onto that next rung of the career ladder you need to be doing more than fulfilling your current job specification. You need to be exceeding it and, not even just that but, covering future territory of the job requirements for your desired role.
To get noticed you need to be pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, which you can do by saying yes to tasks and duties that you’re not overly familiar with. “A positive ‘can-do’ attitude in the workplace will help you get noticed by your boss and other senior stakeholders for the right reasons, increasing your chance of promotion or a pay rise,” says Susie Timlin in this Viewpoint blog.
Find yourself a mentor
Find yourself a mentor; someone more senior than you who is currently where you want to be in ten years’ time. This person can give you regular guidance on what skills you need to acquire and improve upon in order to be eligible for promotion.
The benefits of a mentor are two-fold. Not only can they offer you guidance and counselling, they can also be of benefit in referring you to senior management as a rising star – providing your mentor works in the same organisation as you.
Share your progress
Getting yourself recognised, and making senior management aware of all the great work that you’re doing requires you to raise your profile. The most obvious, although not the only, means by which this can be achieved is through direct communication with your boss i.e. a performance appraisal. If you have one coming up then perfect, this is your opportunity to let them know of all the progress you’ve been making and the ambitions that you have. Not everyone is comfortable with blowing their own trumpet, but if you don’t then who else is going to?
Befriend your boss
Performance appraisals shouldn’t be the only times when you have frank and honest discussions with your boss. Building a strong rapport and sound understanding with your boss is key to you furthering your career – they’re unlikely to promote someone they don’t trust or believe in.
This goes beyond just meeting deadlines and hitting targets. Be there for your boss and make it clear that you can be depended upon – not in a sycophantic way, however, as this will quickly cause resentment and unease amongst your colleagues. Help yourself by helping your boss, as expounded in this previous Viewpoint blog.
Be generous with your time
It’s not just your boss that you should be going the extra mile for; it’s your immediate team and co-workers too. By being generous with your time you’ll not only make yourself popular but you’ll also be able to diversify and expand your skillset. Always be ready to lend a hand with others’ projects, implanting yourself within different departments in the organisation. This will help raise your profile, win you allies and develop your capabilities.
And if all this fails, look elsewhere
Unfortunately there’s no guaranteed way to achieve a promotion, although the above methods will all improve your chances, as will this Viewpoint blog ’10 ways to get noticed by your boss’. If you’re having no luck in your current business – whether that be because of ”glass ceilings”, economic circumstances or lack of opportunity – then don’t be afraid to jump ship and discover a more appreciative employer elsewhere. Even if this means relocating abroad!
Want to progress in your career? Our career progression tips will help you get to where you want to be
Share this blog:
Many job seekers wonder how to haggle for a higher salary. This can be the most intimidating part of the interview process. But, by preparing properly and getting your timing right you can step into these negotiations confident of success.
Most people know how to negotiate their next salary rise when they are in a job. In this instance, they can demonstrate the value they are adding to an organisation. However, as a job seeker, asking for the high range of a salary can be difficult.
Remember: there’s a time and a place to negotiate your salary
In our experience, people often run into trouble at the offer stage. They may be unhappy with one or more aspects of the offer, usually the salary. However, job applicants are often unsure how to proceed at this stage.
When you’re looking for a new job, fear may stop you from negotiating a higher salary. But it is important to learn how to manage these fears.
Most people have a salary target in mind when they start looking for their next job. Try not to raise it when you first meet a hiring manager. Haggling for a higher salary is usually a step best taken towards the end of your second interview. If you are the preferred candidate, negotiating a higher salary would be acceptable at this stage.
If you don’t discuss salary during interview, a hiring manager will make a verbal offer before a formal written offer. At this stage you now know you are firmly positioned as the employer’s top choice. This verbal offer stage is the next best time to negotiate a higher salary.
Thank the hiring manager for their offer and affirm your enthusiasm for the role and organisation. Explain that you’d like to discuss the compensation package.
- Don’t verbally agree to an offer if you are planning to negotiate your salary.
- Don’t ask to negotiate the salary offer after you have received the written contract. Raise any concerns or requests in advance.
Five steps to haggle for a higher salary
When haggling for a higher salary during the recruitment process try and stick to this five-step approach:
Research realistic salary bands
Before your interview, investigate current salaries and pay ranges. The Hays Salary Guide can be a tool to ensure your expectations are realistic. Knowledge is power when it comes to difficult negotiations!
Be the most enthusiastic job candidate
Tell your recruiter or the hiring manager that you are very interested in the position. But make it clear that you would like to discuss the starting salary.
Declare your interest before discussing your desired salary. This approach will show the interviewer that you’re not just chasing a high salary. It makes your intentions clear from the start.
Be honest about your bottom line
Discuss openly and professionally how much you think you are worth. Be prepared to justify your estimate with examples of your skills and experience. Use this time to discuss the salary range for the position that you researched earlier.
Work closely with your recruiter
Speak to your recruiter and listen to their advice. We are experts in recruiting and can advise you on current market trends. Your recruiter can also negotiate a higher salary on your behalf without the risk of jeopardising your offer.
Be patient when discussing salary
Don’t make your salary pitch too early. Instead, wait until you know you are the preferred candidate. You also should not expect an immediate response. The hiring manager will need to gain approval from their manager for any revision to an offer.
Why negotiating your salary matters
Negotiating a higher salary is not just about securing a higher paycheck. Before asking if there’s any wiggle room on the salary in the job description, consider:
- Do you understand your worth in the market?
- Do you feel compensated fairly for the skills and experience you bring to the table?
By negotiating, you’re demonstrating to your potential employer that you value your contributions. You show the hiring manager that you are serious about your career growth.
It also sets a precedent for future negotiations and salary discussions. Avoiding this conversation can result in accepting a lower-than-deserved salary. This not only impacts long-term earnings but also job satisfaction.
Above all: be honest throughout the recruitment process
Asking for the high range of a salary pre-hire can be an awkward situation for some people. You may fear endangering your chance of employment. As such, you may leave it to the last possible moment before talking about salary starting points. We advise against this delayed approach. Instead, aim for an open, honest approach to salary negotiation.
To secure both your dream job and a salary that reflects your skill set, make an honest and reasonable assessment of your worth. Demonstrate this thoroughly and patiently, with the help of your recruiter when needed. Take this advice into your job search and secure a top of the range salary, worthy of your skill set.
