This week I'm continuing to answer your career change questions! If you missed Part !, you can find it here. Here we go!
Question #1: Can I afford a career or job change?
I wonder if a better question is actually...can you afford not to? According to Forbes, employees who stay in companies longer than two years, get paid 50% less.
50% Less!
I see this all the time. Folks who have stayed at the same company for decades earning significantly less than others performing the same role at the same company or another one because they've had sporadic or no raises since starting with their company.
If they're lucky they've seen a yearly raise of 3% (which is apparently average). How does this compare to rising inflation rates? This tends to be what we compare it to right? Well, compare it to this instead. Job changers see significantly higher salary increases. Usually between 10%-20%. If you're unhappy where you are AND not earning, (or not learning or doing something else that makes it feel worthwhile to you) it might be time to think about a change..
Question #2: I feel guilty and ungrateful asking for more money from my employer. I've never negotiated for more money when accepting a job and I'm hesitant to ask for a raise. I'm pretty sure I'm paid less than a coworker who has been here less time than me and does the exact same job. (He's also male and I'm a woman).
It is NOT a bad thing to make a business case and ask a current or prospective employer for more money. Decide ahead of time that even if you’re told no, it's not a reflection of your worth as a person. It's valuable information to help you plan your next move. Learning how to hear no is just as important as learning how to say it.
Also, they’ll probably say yes.
I always encourage my clients to negotiate salary when accepting a job. I don't think anyone I've coached on this has actually been told no--even those who thought it wouldn't be possible (someone in a unionized position comes to mind). It's ALWAYS possible to negotiate. Even if it's not the salary, think of other perks-paid time off, professional development, flexibility in your work arrangement etc. I'll share a few actual scripts next post.
Question #3: I'm a great employee but a terrible resume writer and interviewer. Help!
Being good at your job and being good at landing a job aren’t the same thing. What a shame. When it comes to a resume or an interview, I find it helps to start with a good story. Something that sets you apart, something authentic, and shows doesn’t just tell what you’re capable of in a meaningful, compelling way. Something that makes a hiring manager feel like you solving their problem is a no brainer. They can exhale.
This is what I love the online job boards for. It’s almost the only thing I love them for. That’s a story for another day.
Do this:
Print 10-15 job postings from jobs similar to what you’re seeking.
Highlight the hard skills and qualifications in demand from all the postings. List them. Rank them.
Pick the top 5. Get to work creating your story around these. How you developed these skills, how you’ve used them to create value, and the tangible result that created. Not responsibilities you’ve had but in results you’ve created. This is key. You’ve heard this before, use accomplishment statements. SHOW don't just tell.
The part that many forget here is this:SELL yourself on these skills, qualifications and accomplishments. You’ve got to know and believe they’re part of you. That you can use them to solve important problems.
Practice until you feel it in your bones my friend. That’s where the magic is. Deep in your bones.
Then, others will feel it too.
Now, don't stop there. Keep reverse engineering the old school way of looking for a job. Don’t only look for open positions, look for positions on the horizon. This just means jobs that will need to be created or filled soon but haven’t been posted. It takes a little more creativity and some leg work but there’ll be less competition and you can actually assess company fit the way I teach it. This is a high level outline of how to do it:
Spend some time creating your ideal job description. This is a starting point, you won’t need to have a job check every single thing off this list to be a fit but it’ll get you so much closer than shooting fish in a barrel on Indeed.com.
Now, get to know the companies you want to work for. Peruse their websites. Of course you can check for open positions within these companies and apply if something strikes your fancy but that’s not where I’m going with this. Once you’ve become acquainted with companies you love that could potentially hire for a position you would love, it’s time to leverage your relationships.
Armed with your company list you can start sleuthing. Who within your sphere is connected to the companies on your list? I know, I know, this is going to sound hard--maybe even impossible. You'll wonder: Is this going to require reaching out to people? I don’t want you say say “I don’t know” or “I already know this”. Use a beginner’s mind here. Use your strategic + critical thinking skills to identify and reach out to people and have career conversations. This process is going to teach you a lot. It’s going to boost your confidence in yourself, in your interviews, and ultimately in your work. It doesn't require that you know somebody at any particular company or in any specific industry. It starts with have one career conversation with one person. Any person.
Cheering you on,
Christine
I know something brought you here and maybe it was a search for what to do next about your career. There are a few ways I can help:
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Sarah took the Make Work Better quiz and said this:
“Christine! I wanted to say thanks. I completed the quiz and then it clicked: I don't feel my contributions are recognized or valued by my employer. Time to have a tough conversation and make some decisions. Thanks for the nudge.”
Kim, a one on one coaching client had this to say about working with me:
I followed Christine on social media for quite some time before I reached out so I felt confident that she was the right coach for me. I’d recommend her coaching for anyone who feels stuck in their career and doesn’t quite know where to begin – anyone looking for accountability and motivation to change. Working with Christine led to a huge shift in my thinking about the level of power I have over my personal contentment. What I liked best about working with Christine was that I felt safe – she is genuine, honest and supportive – so I was able to be vulnerable and easily share what I needed in order to move forward. Her constant reassurance that it’s okay to continue exploring, shifting and changing as I grow was invaluable for my piece of mind. Most importantly, Christine believed in me when I had trouble believing in myself. She helped me truly internalize that no matter what obstacles and challenges arise, I can persevere and continue moving forward.
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