TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Enough already please!
Have we beaten this dead horse enough yet?
If you get the question and must answer:
HR/Interviewer : How much did you earn at your previous/current employer?
You : Well, I think position you're looking to fill should probably pay between
$XX,XXX and $YY,YYY yr. Of course the actual amount depends on the job
requirements/responsibilities and the benefits package. What figure did you have
in mind?
$XX,XXX is the low end
$YY,YYY is the high end
Make it so your desired salary is just below the middle and you'll probably get
it. Present yourself as above average and you'll get more. Refuse to discuss a
specific number until the other side has revealed their range. Warn them that
you are likely to start looking for new employment if you find you are below a
certain percentile in the salary brackets for the company.
If the above doesn't get the HR type to spill the beans, ask them about the
salary policies at the company. When are raises given, how are they determined,
how are they negotiated. Are there pay scales in the company? If they are not
willing to give specifics why should you?
Salary negotiations are the one time at which you can be in control and properly
sell you services (once you're an indentured wage slave, it's too late). A
contractor/consultant would walk in and tell the interviewer how much they have
to pay. This is your one chance to do the same. The contractor would never
reveal their salary or hourly charge from the last job to the prospect, why
should you?
Tom Murrell's advice was on the money. Not only was it a great way to deal with
the salary issue but it also underlines the point that a question can always
make a great answer. Much of this muddling around boils down to one thing in my
mind. Do you feel inferior and need to justify to them that they hire you, or do
you feel self-confident (even superior) and want them to justify why they should
hire you?
Join a debating or public speaking society and hone your people and salesmanship
skills and confidence. Even taking up some form of gaming would help. Anything
that requires you to be confident, think on your feet, and hide your hand. There
are a million ways to answer any question without divulging a real answer
(politicians make a living this way). The first step is to gain self-confidence
and project the right attitude/game face.
Go into an interview with confidence and you'll probably never even get asked
the infamous question. Show you know your stuff, impress them with you skills,
show you won't be fooled or pushed around. Demand as much in return from the
interviewer as they demand of you. In a nutshell, be prepared. If you're being
backed into a corner the interview is being too one sided, you need more
practice.
*** Deva(tm) Tools for Dreamweaver and Deva(tm) Search ***
Build Contents, Indexes, and Search for Web Sites and Help Systems
Available now at http://www.devahelp.com or info -at- devahelp -dot- com
TECH*COMM 2001 Conference, July 15-18 in Washington, DC
The Help Technology Conference, August 21-24 in Boston, MA
Details and online registration at http://www.SolutionsEvents.com
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
