by Angela Copeland | Feb 3, 2014 | Advice, Newsletter
What are the top three things that would make life easier for you? My guess is that at least one of those things is more money. Even if you’re not broke, more money can provide a better lifestyle, more opportunities for your family, and more vacation time for you at the beach.
What’s your own plan to increase your personal financial value? You probably have a full time job, a savings account, and investments (like your home or 401-K) that you hope will grow over time.
Most likely, your #1 source of income right now is your full time job. How much has your income, or salary, from that full time job grown per year in the last 10 years? If you’re like many people, you’ve been getting somewhere in ballpark of 1% more to 3% more each year.
It’s like pocket change. Your boss has shared stories like, “the economy is down and this is all we can afford” or, “I had hoped to give you more, but this is all that I’m allowed to give for now.” It feels frustrating, but you’ve learned to accept it. After all, you’ve been hearing the same story for years.
Frankly, these tiny raises may not even keep up with inflation over time. At some point, you look back and realize you’re making more or less the same amount of money that you were 10 years ago. You start to wonder how you’ll ever retire comfortably or achieve your other personal financial goals.
Well, I have a tip I want you to consider. It could change your life. It’s quick, fairly painless, and takes just a few minutes. With this one change, you might breathe a little easier. And, you might actually get to take that vacation you’ve been dreaming of.
As I’ve touched on before, in today’s job market, employees no longer stay at one job forever. Most people are switching jobs every 3 to 5 years, so there’s little incentive for your employer to give you sizable raises.
What’s this big life changing advice you wonder?
Learn to negotiate.
Many of my clients have always either accepted or rejected job offers they’ve received. This is the norm for most job seekers. They basically either say yes or no, but nothing in between. Keep in mind that a company almost never puts their best job offer on the table right away. They’re expecting you to negotiate, so they’re saving the best offer for when you do.
And, in the small chance that the company has presented their best offer first, they’ll tell you. If you’ve started your negotiation in a reasonable and respectful way, what they won’t do is take it off the table. It’s just up to you at that point to decide if you’re willing to take their first offer.
The point is, there’s little downside to asking for more. You may not always get as much as you ask for, but there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get more than was originally offered. If you ask.
Think about it this way: At an annual increase of 2%, it would take you over ten years to grow your salary by 25%. When you change companies, you can increase your salary overnight. The salary negotiation is typically over the phone or via e-mail, and takes about 10 minutes.
Sure, that 10 minutes might be a little uncomfortable. You might feel worried. But, ask yourself these two questions:
- What’s the worst that can happen? They might say no, and not give you what you asked for. You’ll now have to decide if you still want the original offer.
- What’s the best that can happen? They say yes, and give you more! And, suddenly, you’ve received multiple years worth of raises all in one 10-minute phone call.
If it sounds simple, it’s because it is. Most people don’t try because they’re scared, or they don’t know they can. Keep in mind that being really good at negotiation takes practice. But, being decent enough to get a little more money is something you can do right now.
Just remember to be respectful in your negotiations. These discussions are sensitive, and you definitely don’t want to damage your business relationship with your future employer.
That said, your future company EXPECTS you to negotiate. They will respect you for it, and chances are, they will in fact offer you more money. All in a 10 minute phone call.
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | Feb 3, 2014 | Networking
The Tennessee Recycling Coalition Conference is coming up on February 10th to the 12th in Franklin, TN. The 25th annual conference will have a great line up of speakers including Chad Pregracke of Living Lands & Waters, CNN Hero of the Year.
To learn more, check out the agenda here: http://bit.ly/Khh0OY & the registration here: http://bit.ly/1fYkxMe
by Angela Copeland | Feb 3, 2014 | Networking
There will be a public meeting tomorrow to discuss improving Memphis’ parks. Here’s more information about the meeting:
Memphis’ historical park system is steeped in tradition and promotes many activities, but it also has challenges and needs, including more modern equipment, better connections to neighborhoods, more programs and sports, better conservation, more users, more parks and parkland – and more spending on maintenance and repair.
At the first meeting, we highlighted places needing attention and programs needing implementation. Now we want to help make these changes actually happen!
To learn more, or to RSVP, visit the event website here.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 3, 2014 | Networking
Tomorrow, there’s a Farm to Table Conference being hosted at CBU. It’s just $25. Below are the details.
The fourth annual Mid-South Farm to Table Conference will take place on February 4, 2014 from 8 AM to 5 PM at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee The conference is designed to provide a forum for farmers, consumers, entrepreneurs and other interested groups to discuss ideas for developing the local food system of Memphis and the Mid-South.
The Mid-South Farm to Table Conference was established with the vision that a thriving local food system will strengthen farmer livelihoods by connecting more farmers to local consumers; will improve access to fresh produce and increase healthy food consumption; and will stimulate economic development and job creation in the region.
Click here to learn more and to purchase your ticket online.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 3, 2014 | Job Posting
This posting is a little different than those I normally post, but I think it will be helpful to some of my readers, so I wanted to share with you. If you know someone that this post may be helpful to, please forward it along to them.
Nextdoor.com is looking for Field Organizers in Memphis. This is a SIX MONTH full time assignment. I could easily see the person who takes this role finding another long term full time role during their 6-month project based on who they will interact with in the Memphis community.
Ideal candidates are driven self-starters with a strong connection to Memphis who are passionate about building stronger, safer communities. They are detail oriented and have an analytical background. They are dependable and have experience handling challenging situations and resolving them in a respectful manner.
Here’s more about the responsibilities from their site:
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Located in and has deep local connections to one of the specific cities listed above
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Access to reliable transportation
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Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal); strong listening and negotiation skills
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Ability to quickly adapt, analyze problems and implement creative solutions
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Self-starter with the ability to work independently is a must
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Must be a team player
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Experience as a active member of Nextdoor
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Passionate about the mission of Nextdoor
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Ease with managing high volume of email correspondence, experience with Google Maps, and aptitude for using web-based data systems
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Community or political organizing experience is a plus
This would be a fantastic for a recent college graduate who is having a tough time finding their first job. It would be great for someone who is interested in non-profits, politics, or internet marketing.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Next Door website here.
Like I said, this post is a little different than what I traditionally do. But, if you know a recent graduate who likes to make a difference, please share this post with them.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 3, 2014 | Job Posting
TruGreen is searching for a Director of Business Intelligence.
This person delivers strategic, IT solutions to the businesses around ServiceMaster’s Business Intelligence vision including executing business plans and developing processes to ensure the quality, performance, and standardization in the development and management of systems and reporting tools.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the TruGreen website here.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 2, 2014 | Job Posting
ServiceMaster is looking for a Director for their Project Management Office.
This person is responsible for implementing key components of the company’s program/project management methodology drive transparency and accountability. Leads the Project Management Office (PMO) activities consisting of policy harmonization, business process re-engineering and standardization and business case development and change management in support of innovation initiatives. Acts as a liaison between the executive team, the project owner, and the Project Managers.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the ServiceMaster website here.
by Angela Copeland | Feb 1, 2014 | Job Posting
Kraft Foods is searching for a Director of Research & Development.
The Director of Research & Development for Kraft Food Ingredients (KFI) is responsible for all aspects of research and development activities, product compliance and technical leadership for the Business. The individual in the position is responsible for directing creation of new ingredient platforms, the design, development and commercialization of products for Savory, Dairy, Sweet and Fruit Flavors, Cheese Powders, Process and Natural Cheese,Cream Cheese and Confection & Gelatin categories, managing domestic and international regulatory compliance for all KFI products and providing technical services to KFI customers. The individual will assure that all activities adhere to Corporate and R&D policies, procedures, budgets and objectives.
This position is responsible for R&D oversight for approximately 25 scientists, engineers, regulatory specialists and technicians, two pilot plant facilities (Memphis, TN, Kendallville, IN) and 8 laboratories located at the Memphis Facility. KFI R&D commercializes products at approximately 15 Kraft manufacturing plants including 3 solely dedicated KFI plants. This individual will have leadership opportunities in the areas of strategic direction, organization development, Research & Development, New Product Development, Regulatory Compliance and direct customer interaction.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Kraft Foods website here.
by Angela Copeland | Jan 31, 2014 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Apply Dinner Party Etiquette to Job Search.”
The title of this column may sound funny. After all, you’re looking for a new job, not a steak and baked potato. On the surface, you’re right, but there are lessons you can carry over from your dinner tonight to your job interview tomorrow morning.
Much like a dinner party, you never know who you might be introduced to when you’re searching for a job. When you go for an interview, it’s important to be friendly to each person you meet – whether they’re the intern or the CEO. Look each person in the eye and greet them with a firm handshake. And, above all – do your best to remember their names.
To read the entire article, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.
by Angela Copeland | Jan 31, 2014 | Job Posting
Smith & Nephew is looking for a Director of Healthcare Systems.
Reporting to the Vice President of Health Care Systems, the Director of Health Care Systems is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic approach to enhance business relationships with key accounts including IDNs, multiple hospital systems, high profile individual hospitals, GPOs (RPCs & Regional GPOs) and GPO shareholders that delivers above plan growth. Working across all ASD Smith & Nephew Business Units this role will lead the engagement with strategic customers across broad cross functional teams to drive above plan sales and profit growth within their respective geographic area of responsibility.
To learn more or to apply online, visit the Smith & Nephew careers site here.
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