Get on your boss's radar months in advance for a salary increase | Grow your network by learning something new | Does electronic monitoring violate employees' rights?
Don't over-explain yourself during a negotiation Write out and practice the bulk of the salary-negotiation conversation to ensure you stay on track, and be direct when the time comes. State the number you are seeking and stop talking; do not explain yourself, suggests Ify Walker. Fast Company online (8/31)Get on your boss's radar months in advance for a salary increase Timing is everything when asking for a raise, explains Alexa von Tobel, founder of LearnVest. Begin the conversation with your boss at least three to four months in advance to increase your chances of getting the salary increase you're seeking, von Tobel adds. Lifehacker (9/3)
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Making the Connection
Grow your network by learning something new Trying out new things as part of a group is the quickest way to build camaraderie with new people and boost your network, writes Sarah Greesonbach. This could be a new hobby, alma mater group, volunteer opportunity or other type of social engagement. Glassdoor (9/3)
Avoid rambling on in an interview Show the hiring manager you are composed and a logical thinker by keeping your answers short and to the point. Try to keep each answer to a question under two minutes, suggests Jenna Goudreau. CNBC (9/4)Good resume design should grab the hiring manager's attention Recruiters sometimes take no more than 10 seconds to scan each resume, so it's important to find a way to grab their attention immediately. "A resume must be able to grab the attention of [a] recruiter by its presentation, visual appeal, conciseness, giving a quick overview of achievements and career advancement gained over the years," says Arun Kumar. Entrepreneur online (9/4)
Balancing Yourself
Beating the stressful feeling of taking time off More than half of Americans leave vacation days on the table each year, largely as a result of the stress of the workload upon returning, writes Elizabeth Grace Saunders. Reach out to your co-workers at least a week in advance to make it clear what needs to be done, as well as things to keep an eye on, she writes. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (8/31)
In the 1960s, Japanese company Yamasa produced the first wearable step-counter and chose 10,000 steps as a good number for consumers to strive for, because the average Japanese citizen's step count was less than half of that figure. "There's no health guidance that exists to back it," said Public Health England's national lead for physical activity, Mike Brannan. The Guardian (London) (9/3)
Be silent, if you choose; but when necessary, speak -- and speak in such a way that people will remember it.