The Importance of Job Descriptions
Jan. 12, 2007
Descriptions of job titles appear in a variety of forms in the workplace. Recruitment ads,...
Pay Structures
Jan. 12, 2007
A company's pay structure is the method of administering its pay philosophy. The two leading types of pay structures are the internal equity method, which uses a tightly constructed grid to ensure that each job is compensated according to the jobs above and below it in a hierarchy, and market pricing, where each job in an organization is tied to the prevailing market rate.
Could an employee get a promotion without a raise?
Jan. 12, 2007
Would you discuss the risks of promoting a deserving employee (title change) but not increasing salary due to current economic conditions?
A Sample Stock Option Plan
Jan. 12, 2007
Stock option plans are the large contracts that govern stock options programs. Stock option agreements are the individual options grants, vesting schedules, and other employee-specific information.
Vesting and Exercising
Jan. 12, 2007
Always, always, always remember that getting stock options is not the same thing as getting shares of stock. The option is the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a share at a specific price, at a specific time.
Terms and Definitions
Jan. 12, 2007
Before taking advantage of your stock options or participating in an employee stock purchase plan, it's necessary to understand exactly what's being offered.
Can my employer put me on a time clock?
Jan. 12, 2007
As a salaried exempt supervisor, I have been given more than 40 hours of work per week, had pay cuts, and not been treated well in general. Now my employer is requiring all the salaried exempt employees to use the time clock.
Running Effective Meetings
Jan. 12, 2007
Even a well planned meeting requires attention to detail to stay on course and accomplish its objectives. As the meeting organizer, you're responsible for managing the course of the meeting and its final result.
Time, Place, and Agenda
Jan. 12, 2007
The course of a meeting is determined before the group gathers, when the organizer sends invitations that include time, place, and agenda. To some extent, the format of a meeting determines the substance.
Types of Meetings
Jan. 12, 2007
Managing meetings effectively is a core skill every manager should develop. Although there's no mystery to what makes a meeting productive, it can take practice and attention to detail to become an effective leader of meetings. It all starts with knowing when to call a meeting, and why.
How can I engage managers in the job matching process?
Jan. 12, 2007
I am an HR professional who has had difficulty persuading managers to accept the HR team's job matching to salary surveys. How would you recommend I proceed to get them to buy into the results?
Can an exempt position become nonexempt?
Jan. 12, 2007
Q.
A nonexempt employee was given the duties of an exempt employee upon the...
Can someone with an associate's degree be paid more than I am?
Jan. 12, 2007
At work, two departments have two separate requirements. One requires a four-year bachelor's degree with a lower starting salary than the other, which requires only a two-year associate's degree. Is this appropriate?
Sales Compensation
Jan. 12, 2007
Salespeople are a company's ambassadors to the world. They actively promote the company and its products and services. They are the front line between the company and its customers, and are typically the driving force of revenues - top-line company growth.
Productivity Bonuses
Jan. 12, 2007
Productivity bonuses have their roots in the days when manufacturers rewarded hourly workers for...
Types of Bonuses
Jan. 12, 2007
There are several types of bonus programs. Some plans simply give employees a certain share of the company profits (current profit sharing), regardless of the performance of individuals or teams or perhaps a bonus to the entire company based on the company's performance (organization-wide bonus).
What contract rates can an entry-level person ask for?
Jan. 12, 2007
I have been working for a company as a cooperative learning experience for eight months, even though I'm not a student but a recent graduate. (I needed the experience.) Now I am being offered a one-year contract, and have learned I am grossly underpaid.
Self-employment
Jan. 12, 2007
The dream of working independently is a reality for almost 10 million people in the United States, or roughly 10 percent of the workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Executive Compensation
Jan. 12, 2007
Chief executive officers (CEOs) get paid lots of money for being the top employees in the company. Why do they get paid so much?
How HR Pros Can Use Online Compensation Data
Jan. 12, 2007
Many sources of data can be found on the Internet that reveal compensation practices with regard to base pay, cash incentives (short-term incentives), equity incentives (long-term incentives), benefits, and perquisites. Such information is typically characterized by organization size, industry, and geography.
Compensation Surveys
Jan. 12, 2007
Paying people fairly is good for business. Underpay, and employees will eventually look for a better offer. Overpay, and the payroll budget and profitability will suffer. That's why companies use market data to research the value of their jobs. But what is "market data" anyway?
Pay Philosophies
Jan. 12, 2007
A pay philosophy is a company's commitment to how it values employees. A consistent pay philosophy gives the company and the employee a frame of reference when discussing salary in a negotiation.
Stock Options Checklist
Jan. 12, 2007
Salary.com's compensation experts have put together a checklist of the ten most important questions you should be able to answer about your stock options. Use this checklist as you prepare your research for a salary negotiation, or at your next performance review, or when you are in line for a promotion.
Tax Implications of Stock Options
Jan. 12, 2007
As with any type of investment, when you realize a gain, it's considered income. Income is taxed by the government. How much tax you'll ultimately wind up paying and when you'll pay these taxes will vary depending on the type of stock options you're offered and the rules associated with those options.
Option Grant Practices in High-Tech Companies
Jan. 12, 2007
Until it became common practice in the last decade to offer stock options to a relatively broad spectrum of employees, most people were content to receive stock options at all.
About Stock Options
Jan. 12, 2007
One of the biggest challenges facing employers is recruiting and retaining qualified, dedicated employees. Over the past decade, with unemployment levels low and the economy doing well, one of the ways businesses in many industries were recruiting the best possible talent and keeping those employees happy was by offering stock options.
Telephone Manners
Jan. 12, 2007
After establishing contact with the party you're trying to reach, you should be ready to use the time as effectively as if you were in a face-to-face meeting.
Dress Code
Jan. 12, 2007
Clothes that Say "Pay Me More"
In most jobs, it's unlikely your employer will ever send you...
Is it OK to fire someone because of an illness?
Jan. 12, 2007
Three weeks before my scheduled date of resignation, I got sick. After spending a Friday in the hospital and the rest of the weekend at home, I told my supervisor I expected to be in by the following Friday at the latest.
Telephone Manners
Jan. 12, 2007
Good manners are good for business, while great manners can set you apart. If you're under stress or in a hurry, it's easy to let your guard down and fail to observe the basics.
Getting Through
Jan. 12, 2007
Although email and instant messaging are quickly becoming standard forms of office communication, the telephone still plays an important role in business.
Body Art in the Workplace
Jan. 12, 2007
Nearly 40 years after "flower power," body art has seen a resurgence. Men and women flaunt pierced navels at the beach, sterling silver glinting in the sun.
Decoding the Dress Code
Jan. 12, 2007
It's not your parents' workplace anymore - nor their dress code. Gone are the stuffy three-piece suits and conservative skirt sets of times past, replaced with a canvas of khaki on which a world of individuality is expressed, as if to say, "Trust me: I'm casual."
Should I ask for a raise to go along with my extra duties?
Jan. 12, 2007
A coworker recently moved, and the owners decided not to hire a new employee. The office manager and I are splitting the extra duties. Would this be a good time to request a raise, since I am now doing more work at the same pay rate as before?
How to Ask about Training
Jan. 11, 2007
Prospective employees should ask some pointed questions about career development opportunities before accepting an offer.
Distance Learning
Jan. 11, 2007
Although the electronic age has made it much easier to learn at a distance, the roots of today's distance learning courses are more than 100 years old.
Physician Career Education and Advancement
Jan. 11, 2007
Physicians serve an essential role in our society. They diagnose and treat sick and injured people through examinations and tests. They also advise their patients on such matters as preventative care and personal hygiene.
Engineering Career Education and Advancement
Jan. 11, 2007
Engineers research and develop solutions to technical needs in society. They design products, materials, machinery, factories, systems, structures, and much more.
A Higher Degree the Key to Higher Pay?
Jan. 11, 2007
Discouraging predictions of lower salary hikes coupled with a tough job market have increased the...
Industry Commitment to Training
Jan. 11, 2007
In a study by the American Society for Training and Development, more than 750 U.S organizations provided data about their expenditures on training programs as a percentage of payroll and on a per-employee basis. Here's how they compare by industry on several key factors.
Tuition Reimbursement
Jan. 11, 2007
One of the most important and generous benefits a company can offer is tuition reimbursement, a contractual arrangement between employer and employee that outlines specific terms under which the employer may pay for the employee's continuing education.
Project Management Career Education and Advancement
Jan. 11, 2007
Project management is the process of planning, organizing, staffing, and guiding the process of creating a solution or system. Project managers are responsible for providing a plan and the means on which to base management decisions throughout the life of a project.
Computer Programming Career Education and Advancement
Jan. 11, 2007
Computer Programmers are responsible for creating code that essentially tells a computer how to operate. They write, test, and maintain these coded instructions, also referred to as programs.
The Value of Online Learning
Jan. 11, 2007
There are many advantages to online courses and degree programs. Not only does it offer an opportunity for those unable to take traditional full-time classes such as working professionals and parents, but it also offers more freedom and flexibility to students of all types.
The Gift of a College Degree Lasts a Lifetime
Jan. 11, 2007
Any way you measure it, a college degree is the best investment of your life. In today's dollars, a bachelor's degree is worth more than $2.1 million over 40 years.
How should I answer the questions interviewers typically ask?
Jan. 8, 2007
I never know what to say when the interviewer says, "Tell me about yourself" or asks, "Do you have any questions for me?" Most of the time I don't, because the interviewer has given a good description.
How to Prepare Your References
Jan. 8, 2007
If a job candidate is far enough in the interview process that the human resources professional is ready to ask for references, the candidate is close to being offered the job.
What to Look for Before, During, and After an Interview
Jan. 8, 2007
An interview is the only time during the hiring process when you and your interviewer can form a mutual relationship based on observation and communication.
Trade Show Organizer
Jan. 8, 2007
Once the booths are set up, passes distributed, security deployed, and the conference attendees have arrived, Phyllis Olson will become an anonymous face, surrounded by nearly 2,300 representatives of 200 organizations.
Rocket Scientist
Jan. 8, 2007
Listening to a rocket scientist talk about work is impressive, but tough for the scientifically challenged. It's not unlike having a conversation in a foreign language you barely know.
How should I represent my co-op position on my resume?
Jan. 8, 2007
I am working on my associate degree with a double major in purchasing/business management. I have been a co-op student with the same company in the procurement department for a year and a half, and have just finished my co-op requirement.
Do I have to return my signing bonus?
Jan. 8, 2007
I received a $5,000 signing bonus when I was hired by my company, with the promise that I would stay for one year. Now, six months later, I'm not doing the job I was hired to do and I might have the opportunity to take a new job that will be a good career move for me.
May I wait to disclose vital statistics?
Jan. 8, 2007
Sometimes, as I arrive at a prospective employer's office for a first interview, the receptionist hands me an application that must be filled out before the HR manager interviews me.
How should I address several months of
contract work on my resume?
Jan. 8, 2007
I have worked at a few short-term contract positions in the past few months after being laid off by my previous employer. How should I present this information on my resume?
Inventor
Jan. 8, 2007
"Imagine a world where the difference between man and machine blurs, where the line between humanity and technology fades, and where soul and silicon unite. This is not science fiction, but a very real possibility in a few short decades."
Genetic Counselor
Jan. 8, 2007
Shannon Martin [not her real name] sees more than a dozen patients a week, demystifying scientific jargon and assuaging fears.
The Temporary Staffing Industry
Jan. 8, 2007
In September and October of 2004, U.S. firms topped the 100,000 mark in announced job cuts, according to John Challenger, who heads the Chicago job placement firm Challenger & Christmas.
Applying to Temp Agencies
Jan. 8, 2007
You've picked an agency - now you have to apply for a spot on the team. It's not as easy as just walking in unemployed and being handed a job (or, placement in temp jargon).
Bullish on the Network
Jan. 8, 2007
Have you been to a trade association event lately? Suddenly heard from an old college buddy? With so many people between jobs these days, it's no surprise that everyone seems to be brushing up on their networking skills.
Hiding a Job Search
Jan. 8, 2007
I work in an office that has a casual atmosphere. Next week I have a job interview at a company with a much more formal office culture, so I would be expected to wear a suit and carry a briefcase to the interview.
Eager to Please
Jan. 8, 2007
I have an interview tomorrow with a prominent company and am very eager to please them. Can you give me some important pointers on interviewing?
New Job, New Bonus Plan
Jan. 8, 2007
Let's say your resume is current, and you are beginning to speak to a few companies about a potential move. Here are some things to think about regarding your bonuses as you consider offers.
Your Dream Deal
Jan. 8, 2007
As your own agent, you've done some salary research, you've visited Salary.com, and you know what you’re worth.
Small Businesses
Jan. 8, 2007
If you take a job in a small, publicly held company, should you expect to earn less than at a large, public company? The surprising answer is no. Compensation survey data shows that a person working in a company with, say, $50 million in annual revenue should be making the same amount as a person doing the same job in a company with $500 million in revenues.
How to Roll Over Your Retirement Accounts
Jan. 8, 2007
What happens to your retirement accounts if you change jobs? First of all, it's your money and no one can take it from you.
Be an Ant, Not a Grasshopper*
Jan. 8, 2007
Most people know they should invest for the future, but at least half would like to do better. In a Salary.com poll about investments in the company retirement plan, 44 percent of respondents said they contribute, but could do better.
12 Ways to Get out of Credit Card Debt
Jan. 8, 2007
Everybody with a credit card knows it's smart to pay what you owe at the end of every month - right? According to CardWeb.com, an international credit card tracker, credit card debt is approximately $9000 per household for those carrying at least one credit card.
Tips for Living within Your Means
Jan. 8, 2007
"It's not like I'm disorganized," said Michelle E., a 28-year-old paralegal from Aurora, Colorado. "My friends even joke about my CD collection being alphabetized. Yet my savings account is always empty and I never manage to pay down my credit cards," she said.
Stock Market Indexed CDs
Jan. 8, 2007
People work hard for their money, so risky investments often make them think twice. A volatile stock market means higher risks, even for people who have been investing for years.
Full-Service Brokers
Jan. 8, 2007
"Full-service" brokers get their name and reputation from the dogged and devoted work they're expected to do to keep clients happy. They carry business cards from distinguished brokerage firms like Salomon Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch.
Stock Mutual Funds
Jan. 8, 2007
Anyone who's shopped for a mutual fund knows finding the right one can be harder than locating that proverbial needle in a haystack. There are so many to choose from.
The Alternative Minimum Tax
Jan. 8, 2007
Last year, a Boston-area high-tech company saw its stock plunge from a record high of $58.75 on January 20, to a low of $1.13 exactly 11 months later in November.
How to Select an Accountant
Jan. 8, 2007
When my wife and I began to gather receipts and other scraps of paper for our taxes this year, I called our long-time accountant with a routine request for an organizer to help us make sense of all the numbers.
Money Markets and CDs
Jan. 8, 2007
Personal savings is the base of your financial pyramid. It is the foundation of your family's well-being and it's your starting point to building wealth. Starting a sound savings program isn't difficult, but it takes some thinking, planning, and commitment.
Income and Mortgage Size
Jan. 8, 2007
The first and biggest hurdle to buying your own home is money. Few buyers, if any, try to buy a home without financing because it just doesn't make sense.
How to Invest in a 401(k) or Other Retirement Plan
Jan. 8, 2007
Not sure how much to contribute to your retirement plan every month? That's easy: Put in as much as you possibly can without leaving yourself stuck.
House, Job, and Income
Jan. 8, 2007
If you're serious about buying a house anytime soon, do not underestimate the importance your income and job stability will have on the whole process.
Personal Budget Planning Builds Household Wealth
Jan. 8, 2007
To some people, "budget" is a dirty word. In reality a budget is just a schedule of income and expenses, a way of documenting how much money comes in and how it should sensibly be spent.
Start with Confidence
Jan. 8, 2007
Doing research on how to buy a home is itself an investment - in time. On the one hand are the shelves of books on the subject - helpful, yet sometimes tedious in their detail.
Index Funds
Jan. 8, 2007
Who has the time, interest, or confidence to pick and track individual stocks (unless, of course, it's what you do for a living)? For those of us who don't, there are index funds.
Dividend Reinvestment Plans
Jan. 8, 2007
If you're short on cash but keen to build an investment portfolio, you may want to consider a DRIP. Shorthand for Dividend Reinvestment Plans, DRIPs allow individual shareholders to bypass brokers and make stock transactions directly with certain publicly traded corporations.
Super-Safe Saving
Jan. 8, 2007
Saving your money in a safe place may seem like an obvious priority. Why would anyone want to put savings somewhere unsafe?
Tax Basics for Beginners
Jan. 8, 2007
Most of us loathe the very idea of doing our U.S. personal income taxes, not because we expect to get fleeced each April 15 (or 16) but simply because we don't know an adjusted gross income from a standard deduction.
How to Avoid an Audit
Jan. 8, 2007
A few years ago, the Internal Revenue Service challenged the tax deductions a college professor took for losses he reported in his business as a book author.
Bonds
Jan. 8, 2007
Now that the roaring bull that was the stock market has been put out to pasture, let us turn our attention to bonds and bond mutual funds.
Making the Offer
Jan. 8, 2007
Good real estate agents are invaluable when it comes time to make an offer on a house. Invariably the agent will provide you with a preprinted form of a purchase contract, which together you rework to fit your needs.
Everyone's a Critic
Jan. 5, 2007
"I wouldn't be able to afford my habit," said film critic Dan Kimmel. He sees more than 300 films a...
Creative Approaches to Layoffs
Jan. 5, 2007
It's the classic layoff problem. Relief from bottom-line pressure on the one hand; and low morale, bad publicity, and the loss of talented employees on the other.
Layoff Survival Guide
Jan. 5, 2007
The dot-com veteran has been through it all: the conference with a terse manager and human resources representative; the company-wide announcement led by a weeping CEO; and the "let-go" meeting at an offsite location. Her third job lasted five days. "The CEO quit on the day I started."
How to Evaluate an Offer
Jan. 5, 2007
Just like an interview, a job offer can tell you a great deal about a potential employer. An offer can reveal how serious the employer is about the offer, how valuable you are to the company, and most importantly, whether you should make the move.
Inappropriate Questions
Jan. 5, 2007
Have you ever felt uncomfortable about a question someone asked in a job interview? Frankly, some things are none of your prospective employer's business. Moreover, many types of questions are not only inappropriate, but even illegal.
Does my international salary history jeopardize future earnings?
Jan. 5, 2007
I had five years of experience as financial accountant in private industry in the United States before moving to Hong Kong last year. My annual earnings as a manager were US$43,000.
Can the U.S. government give my prospective employer a salary cap?
Jan. 5, 2007
I am being seriously considered for a position with a large Washington, DC-area IT consulting company. They have told me I will get the job, but are waiting to open a location closer to my home.
Why are real estate agents calling before I get a job offer?
Jan. 5, 2007
Next week, I am flying to Texas to interview for a position I really want. I am excited, but focused. Immediately after the phone interview last week, we received a number of calls from real estate brokers asking to appraise our home.
References
Jan. 5, 2007
References can have a significant impact on the final hiring decision. Be ready at a moment's notice to provide potential employers with at least three solid ones.
What if a salary history is "required," and I don't send one?
Jan. 5, 2007
In job announcements in the newspaper and elsewhere I sometimes see "send resume and salary history to..." If I respond, I respectfully decline submission of the salary history information until I get more serious interest from the prospective employer.
Business Correspondence
Jan. 5, 2007
Business correspondence serves a variety of purposes throughout the career cycle, but most of all it reflects professional courtesy during the job search.
Resume Writing
Jan. 5, 2007
The purpose of your resume is to make the reader want to interview you. Resumes should be informative, concise, consistent, and should highlight intriguing skills and experience. They should grab attention early and provide a concentrated, convincing argument that you perfectly match the position at hand.
How close to the median should I be?
Jan. 5, 2007
As my experience runs a little short of the job requirements, what should I submit as my salary requirements?
How to Evaluate a Job Offer
Jan. 5, 2007
Just like an interview, a job offer can tell you a great deal about a potential employer. An offer can reveal how serious the employer is about the offer, how valuable you are to the company, and most importantly, whether you should make the move.
Should I show a prospective employer my pay stub?
Jan. 5, 2007
I am in negotiation with an employer for a higher position than the one I currently hold. They are asking that I send them a pay stub.
Why am I paid less than the Salary Wizard says I should be?
Jan. 5, 2007
My title is Senior Web Editor at a growing Internet company in New Jersey. With a nearly exact match in responsibilities as indicated for this position in your Salary Wizard, my total compensation falls short of the median by $25,000.
Should I disclose salary requirements?
Jan. 5, 2007
What should I do when a prospective employer asks for salary requirements or salary history in the resume or cover letter?
Executive Assistant
Jan. 5, 2007
She spends her days coordinating meetings, making travel arrangements, and managing schedules.
Life and Work in a Temporary Job
Jan. 5, 2007
You've decided to give temping a try and have found an agency that appears to serve your needs. You've applied for a spot on their fleet of workers and they've agreed to take you on. So now what?
Choosing a Temp Agency
Jan. 5, 2007
Over its history, the temporary employment industry has evolved from using gopher-type seat-warmers to fill-in for vacationing administrative assistants, to placing highly skilled, valued, and courted contractors into managerial positions.
The Science of Schmooze
Jan. 5, 2007
It's half an hour before an executive schmooze-fest at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and he is giving last-minute networking tips to a crowd of MBA students and invited guests.
Part-time Work
Jan. 5, 2007
In a 2000 poll of more than 3,500 company executives by recruiting firm Management Recruiters International, Inc., 61 percent of the participants believed the 9-to-5 workday will disappear in the next 10 years.
Salary History
Jan. 5, 2007
At some point in the job application process, you might find yourself in a tight spot. What do you do when asked for a salary history? It's especially harrowing if you are hoping for a significant pay increase over your last job.
The Job You Want
Jan. 5, 2007
If you're looking for the perfect job offer, you might as well stop right now: there's no such thing. But armed with the right information, you can get a good deal in a good place.
Ten Ways to Prepare for an Emergency Job Search
Jan. 5, 2007
In a recent Salary.com poll, 26 percent of respondents said they had already been laid off, 37 percent are concerned about being laid off, and 33 percent are not at all concerned about being laid off.
The Severance Package
Jan. 5, 2007
If your company goes out of business, don't be surprised if there is no severance pay. Going out of business and running out of cash are practically synonymous.
Safe Travel Tips from the U.S. State Department
Jan. 5, 2007
"Safe travels"...at every goodbye these days, it seems, it's the same benediction. Beyond wishing each other well, what else can travelers do to play it safe in the air and in other countries?
Project Manager
Jan. 5, 2007
All of us practice project management in our lives, whether we know it or not. We are all involved in planning and organizing our everyday tasks, career, and work responsibilities.
The Weakness Question
Jan. 5, 2007
You're sitting in a conference room or office, face-to-face with the person you most want to impress - your prospective boss - and he or she is asking you, "What is your biggest weakness?"
Interview Brainteasers
Jan. 5, 2007
These brain teasers range widely in difficulty. Some of them do have actual answers. One example is,"Calculate the number of degrees between the hour and minute hands of an analog clock that reads 3:15." Hint: the answer is not zero.
Should I disclose my salary expectations if I come from a different industry?
Jan. 5, 2007
What is the best way to respond, if a prospective employer asks for your salary history and salary expectations in your cover letter? My current salary is in a different industry from the one I am hoping to enter.
Interview Basics
Jan. 5, 2007
Despite the etiquette, formality, and inevitable fear factor, job interviews can actually be enjoyable as well as extremely informative.
Can a prospective employer ask my last employer what I earned?
Jan. 5, 2007
Is it possible for a prospective employer to verify your salary from a previous employer without your knowledge or consent?
What do employers mean by "the equivalent"?
Jan. 5, 2007
What exactly is meant by the word equivalent in the phrase "four-year degree or equivalent"?
Networking to Find a Job
Jan. 5, 2007
A few years ago, Kathy met Henry in a social setting. At the time, Henry had a small business that sounded relatively intriguing to Kathy.
Will my company take back my unvested options if I get laid off?
Jan. 4, 2007
I was awarded 25,000 options at my last job. Recently, the company laid off 100 employees, including me. I was not vested at this time and the company took away all of my shares. Is this standard practice?
Is a verbal recruitment agreement legally binding?
Jan. 4, 2007
Are verbal agreements legally binding? I was recruited by my current employer through a management recruiting firm for a lateral position.
If my responsibilities increased after a layoff, should I make more?
Jan. 4, 2007
Like many other companies, my employer has conducted layoffs this year. I was approached by my manager to increase my responsibilities to better define my workload to HR.
Was my raise too small?
Jan. 4, 2007
I just had my performance review about a week ago, and I was rewarded with a pay increase of 4.75 percent, which seems minimal at best. According to my calculations, this increase does not even cover the cost of living.
May I ask for a raise my first day on the job?
Jan. 4, 2007
I have accepted a job at a salary that is far less than I was making earlier as a contractor for the same company. I talked to the human resources department, and they are not ready to increase the salary yet.
Can my boss get away with nepotism in pay raises?
Jan. 4, 2007
My boss has cut back my hours because of budgetary concerns, yet she has "found" the money in her budget to get her two college-age daughters part-time work in our department (human resources), as well as odd jobs in other departments.
Should I ask for more in base if I'm happy with my total compensation?
Jan. 4, 2007
How do I go about requesting a "fair" base salary when the company knows I'm happy with my overall compensation?
What should I ask for when going from consultant to full-time?
Jan. 4, 2007
I am working as consultant for a company and have been asked to join as an employee. How does the fee I receive as a consultant relate to the salary I would get as an employee?
Is my raise low because I've been here less than a year?
Jan. 4, 2007
I began working at my company one month after the beginning of our fiscal year. I recently received my first salary increase (over a year later) and found that it was much lower than I had expected.
Is it ethical to use internal pay data found by accident?
Jan. 4, 2007
I've accidentally come into possession of a confidential printout of my fellow employees' pay rates. After reviewing it, I've come to the opinion I am being well underpaid. In the near future I am up for review, which always is nothing more than a formality for a decision already made.
How do I get the raise I was promised?
Jan. 4, 2007
When I started in my new job six months ago, the salary was not exactly what I asked for. My employers promised me verbally that they would review my performance in six months and raise my salary then.
How do I get a raise at my temp job?
Jan. 4, 2007
I am a temporary employee for a large firm. Before I interviewed for the job, the agency representative asked me what salary I wanted. The hourly wage I quoted was too low and does not reflect my years of experience.
How do I get the raise I thought I was promised?
Jan. 4, 2007
I was promised by my supervisor, but not in writing, that the company would increase my pay by 10 percent. When I got my raise, it was only 3 percent. I questioned my supervisor, who said she never promised me more.
What is an appropriate amount to expect for a holiday bonus?
Jan. 4, 2007
What is an appropriate amount to expect for a holiday bonus?
What is the difference between an equity adjustment and a promotion?
Jan. 4, 2007
I was recently promoted to a higher position and given a form stating my change in position and salary. However, the form said I was receiving an "equity adjustment" as oppposed to a promotion.
What if my new employer reneges on a verbal salary offer?
Jan. 4, 2007
I recently changed jobs, and my new employer refused to honor their verbal salary offer. Asking for a written agreement would have been out of the ordinary for the position I accepted, so I didn't even consider it.
Should I have gotten a bigger raise with my HR promotion?
Jan. 4, 2007
I started with my present company in Raleigh, NC, in February as an HR assistant on a temp-to-hire basis at a salary of $25,000. In March, the company hired me full-time and increased my salary to $28,000.
Why didn't I get a pay-to-stay bonus?
Jan. 4, 2007
Our company has filed under Chapter 11 with no financial backing. The company is being sold. Our accounts payable supervisor got another offer and put in her notice, but the company countered with a pay-to-stay package.
Am I management material?
Jan. 4, 2007
I've been employed with the same company for 10 years. My official job title is financial analyst, and I report to the financial operations manager. For the last year and a half, the manager and I have been working at both locations, rotating throughout the week.
Should I ask for $25,000 more?
Jan. 4, 2007
I was hired four years ago as a desktop technician for a Fortune 500 company. Since then I have skyrocketed up in the company, and I have been getting spot bonuses (of $1,200) and salary increases of about 9 percent a year.
Can an employee be paid more than a supervisor?
Jan. 4, 2007
I am a creative director with a mid-sized Internet development company (200 people). I oversee a department of 10 graphic designers, programmers, writers, and interface architects.
Is my company taking the right amount out of my paycheck?
Jan. 4, 2007
I have a weird suspicion that I am not being paid the salary my company offered me last April. My company offered me $40,000 a year, but when I do the math based on my paychecks, the amounts don't add up to $40,000, but more like $36,000.
The New Salary Negotiation
Jan. 4, 2007
For the first time, employees have access to the equivalent of a Kelley Blue Book for jobs. The availability of online compensation information has leveled the playing field between employer and employee when it comes to negotiation and job offers.
What if the employer rejects my counter?
Jan. 4, 2007
I was recently interviewed for a position of senior network analyst in Chicago. My current position is network administrator (MCSE W2K).
Negotiating Benefits
Jan. 4, 2007
Did you know that you may be able to negotiate some of your benefits? Even though companies put fixed policies on most benefits, some benefits are negotiable - and sometimes, all you have to do is ask.
Safeguarding Your Finances
Jan. 4, 2007
The purpose of insurance is to protect people against financial disaster when they are unable to earn a living because of sickness or injury, or to give their dependents some type of income after they die.
When and How to Negotiate
Jan. 4, 2007
To negotiate your pay package, you first need to identify the right opportunity. It is true that any time will work, but there are some natural "money moments" that are perhaps more logical for negotiating a pay package.
Interpreting Numbers
Jan. 4, 2007
Before negotiating an executive salary with a current or new employer, take some time to reflect on where your pay falls given the market data, the opportunities you face, and your current compensation.
Be Your Own Agent
Jan. 4, 2007
Who is looking out for your career - your boss? Probably not. Your accountant? Doubtful. Headhunters, search people, and employment agencies may seem to have your interests in mind, but they're retained - and paid - by the company.
Everything is Negotiable
Jan. 4, 2007
It's all negotiable. Every new job - every performance review, in fact - is an opportunity to negotiate base salary, various kinds of bonuses, benefits, stock options, and other incentives that add to job satisfaction and provide financial security.
Should I get a raise for working in a new region?
Jan. 4, 2007
I work for a food and beverage management company that has had a few closures over that past year in my region due to cutbacks by our clients. To stay employed with my company, I agreed to consult in a different region (with a much higher salary scale for the same position) until new business opens back up in my home region.
What should my daily contract rate be?
Jan. 4, 2007
How much per hour should a per diem CPA make in the Jackson, Mississippi, metropolitan area? I'm considered self-employed, and I have 16 years of public accounting experience. My area of specialty is income tax.
Should I take the offer or the counteroffer?
Jan. 4, 2007
I've recently been offered a position in another company making $6,000 more than I earn now. When I gave notice, my current employer came back the next day and matched the prospective employer's offer.
How should I calculate a part-time rate?
Jan. 4, 2007
When accepting a part-time position in an office and asked about salary requirements, what is the appropriate thing to say? How can you compare a part-time to a full-time salary?
Can my employer pay me less in a region with a higher cost of living?
Jan. 4, 2007
In August 2000, I relocated by choice. When I relocated, I couldn't keep the same position with my company. Now the company has offered me a position comparable to the one I left behind, but at the pay rate I was at before my position changed.
Did I get a big enough raise with this promotion?
Jan. 4, 2007
I recently accepted a new role as a Web assessment client coordinator within an organization for whom I have been working for a year. My previous salary was $25,000. When asked about my desired compensation for this new role, I replied, "I don't know what the salary range is for this position," trying to get a feel for what I might expect.
Must I settle for a 3 percent increase?
Jan. 4, 2007
I work in a hospital in Florida as a computer operator. Before this I was a computer operator at another company for almost 20 years. I am paid a salary of $19,406, well below the Computer Operator I salary quoted in the Salary Wizard, $25,310.
Raises and Promotions
Jan. 4, 2007
Get yourself into the habit of recognizing when you have been doing a good job for an extended period. This is the classic signal that you're ready for a promotion, a pay increase, or both.
Negotiating Incentives
Jan. 4, 2007
Everything is negotiable. Other installments of the Salary.com negotiation clinic have dealt with base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other benefits.
From Marginal to Mainstream
Jan. 4, 2007
In 1982, the Village Voice started the trend of offering domestic-partner benefits, or benefits an employer voluntarily decides to offer to an employee's unmarried partner of the same or opposite sex, to its employees.
Is it time to ask again for my raise?
Jan. 4, 2007
I've been in this job for five months. I started out as a data entry clerk and was promoted to project manager in the first six weeks.
Executive Negotiation Checklist
Jan. 4, 2007
Whether you're already an executive or just an aspiring big cheese, it's never too early to begin studying the sophisticated art of negotiating executive compensation. Only executives are eligible for many types of perks and benefits - if you disagree, try asking for your own jet.
Ellison Says, Stock Only
Jan. 4, 2007
A look at Oracle Corp's (ORCL) proxy statement filed September 11, 2000, reveals that CEO Lawrence Ellison will take all of his pay in stock options for four years.
How long until my next raise?
Jan. 4, 2007
My annual performance evaluation was conducted in February. My position was newly created, and no salary survey was conducted. I moved into this position from an unrelated one within the same company.
What should my incentives be for international travel?
Jan. 4, 2007
I am a software consultant at a relatively small firm (under 50 employees). Recently, the company entered into contracts with several clients overseas and international travel will be required for me for three weeks each month.
Knowing What You’re Worth
Jan. 4, 2007
You are an entrepreneur and your company is you. Your paycheck is the revenue generated from the services you provide your employer.
How do I negotiate for a cost-of-living adjustment?
Jan. 4, 2007
My facility just was closed. Approximately 80 hourly employees were eliminated, as well as 90 percent of the salaried workforce.
Should I be rewarded for the revenue I bring in?
Jan. 4, 2007
I have been an estimator for a plumbing and mechanical company for two years. I am also a project manager. I have produced about $747,000 in sales this year and am managing about $1 million in construction projects. My salary is $32,800 per year. Should I be outraged?
Now that I have some experience, should I ask for the median?
Jan. 4, 2007
I am the IT manager at the local newspaper. I had no experience and settled for a lower wage than the position should have paid.
Should part-time and full-time workers be paid different rates?
Jan. 4, 2007
Should there be a difference in wages between a part-time employee and a full-time employee doing the same job?
Negotiating for Meaning
Jan. 4, 2007
Are you as satisfied with the work you do today as you were a year ago? Do you have fun doing your job?
Am I kidding myself if I expect a 10 percent raise?
Jan. 4, 2007
What is the percentage range for raises in public accounting? Is the average really 4 to 5 percent? If I expect 10 percent, am I kidding myself?
Is this really a lateral move?
Jan. 4, 2007
I was offered a "promotion" from receptionist/office clerk to administrative assistant/office manager of a new venture in a different office. I inadvertently found out that the person they hired to replace me as receptionist/office clerk started at the same wage as I am currently making.
How do I convince my employer that I'm underpaid?
Jan. 4, 2007
I used your Salary Wizard and other sites to come up with a market value for myself. I found that I'm worth between $42,000 and $45,000 (I'm making $35,000 in base salary).
Did my time off affect my raise?
Jan. 4, 2007
I took some time off this year, and I think it affected my performance review. I got only a 2 percent raise. Does this mean I am a problem employee?
Is it fair to treat salaried and hourly employees differently in reviews?
Jan. 4, 2007
Is it legal to give hourly employees reviews more frequently than salaried personnel?
The Salary Wizard says I'm underpaid - what can I do?
Jan. 4, 2007
I'm a mailroom clerk for a publishing company and make $17,889 a year before taxes. I logged on to Salary.com to see if I'm making the right amount of money, and I was shocked to see that I am underpaid by at least $4,257.
Why is my base so much lower than the former sales manager's?
Jan. 4, 2007
I was hired by a software company at an entry-level sales position. I have a four-year degree and sales experience.
Should part-timers make a little extra in base pay?
Jan. 4, 2007
A prospective employer has told me that part-time employees receive a lower hourly pay than full-time employees for the same work. I have always understood that because part-timers don't receive benefits, the hourly pay was slightly higher. Which is the case?
Do I have rights regarding my raise?
Jan. 4, 2007
Q.
I'm writing regarding my raise.
When I was hired, the director...
Should I be paid more for doing two jobs?
Jan. 4, 2007
Two weeks ago I took a part-time job as an x-ray technician. In the classified ad the employer listed two positions available: x-ray technician and medical assistant. When I applied for the x-ray job, I was asked whether I was able to perform the duties of the other job, if needed.
What more can I negotiate when I'm already paid well?
Jan. 4, 2007
I am the assistant to the president of a small consulting firm. Since I am at the top of my pay scale and receive excellent bonuses, what else can I negotiate that is not monetary, and how do I go about it?
Should I let headhunters lure me away?
Jan. 4, 2007
I have been at the same company for three years. I work in a relatively small, but expensive state and everyone knows each other in the field. I regularly get calls from headhunters or former coworkers about potential positions.
What if my company doesn't know the market value of my job?
Jan. 4, 2007
I have been trying to contact my human resource department to get a fair market value (pay range) for the position I have held for 6 years. My HR department has told me they do not have the fair market value of my position.
Is the grass greener somewhere else?
Jan. 4, 2007
I keep hearing and seeing salary surveys that say I should be making about $10,000 to $20,000 more than I am currently making, but I find it very hard to compare when you take in all the factors of cost of living, profit sharing, medical benefits, and working environment. Is the grass greener elsewhere?
What should I do if my job title is inflated?
Jan. 4, 2007
What should I do if my job title doesn't really reflect what I do? My job title is "return authorization coordinator." I process and credit accounts when we receive products back from customers.
Now that I'm on the other side of the table, how should I negotiate?
Jan. 4, 2007
I just earned a bachelor's degree in human resources management and I have three years of experience. Based on Salary.com's results, if I am a qualified applicant I should be getting a median income in the mid-40s per year.
How do I trade off long-term incentives for short-term ones?
Jan. 4, 2007
I work for a company that pays me $72,000 a year with no bonus. However, they match 50 cents to the dollar on my 401(k) plan. The company I'm interviewing with has no matching contributions, but they have averaged bonuses of 11 percent over the past five years and 20 percent over the past three years.
How should I prepare for my review?
Jan. 4, 2007
My performance review is coming soon, and I would like to learn more about the do's and don'ts of performance reviews. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Can I fix a salary negotiation mistake before a job offer?
Jan. 4, 2007
I just made a huge mistake in a salary negotiation and am wondering if there is something I can do to fix it.
What executive level suits my qualifications?
Jan. 4, 2007
I have been running a small startup company for almost four years. Four of us are consulting to the company in various executive roles. I'm the founder and president, handling a wide range of duties, but mostly in business development.
May an employer put a cap on a job?
Jan. 4, 2007
I work in a hospital in Florida as a computer operator. Before this I was a computer operator at another company for almost 20 years. I am paid a salary of $19,406, well below the Computer Operator I salary quoted in the Salary Wizard, $25,310.
Where do I begin negotiating for deferred compensation?
Jan. 3, 2007
I have been an hourly consultant my entire career, and have been recently approached to take a permanent position with one of my part-time clients.
How much should I get for changing jobs?
Jan. 3, 2007
What is the typical increase a person should get (or should look for) when changing jobs? I'm in the information technology field.
Eight Things That Can Boost Your Pay
Jan. 3, 2007
Did you know employers sometimes pay a premium for the right education and experience? Or that you might be able to earn more by doing the same job in a larger company?
Should I earn more for being bilingual?
Jan. 3, 2007
I am a bilingual executive administrative assistant, using both English and Japanese in my job and occasionally serving as an interpreter or translator.
What expenses should my employer pay if I work from home?
Jan. 3, 2007
I have started a new job under the assumption that I would be working out of my employer's home-based office for about four months. Now he is telling me I need to work from my home.
Can my employer dock my pay?
Jan. 3, 2007
I am an accountant for a franchise owner and I am salaried. I understand that this means being exempt from the time clock, overtime, etc. There are times when I might work over the weekend or past the normal business day.
Should I ask for a lower starting salary?
Jan. 3, 2007
I am putting in my resume for a manager's position that has just opened up in the store where I am a sales associate. I have been in retail for about five years and with this company for about six months.
Should I counteroffer a negotiated salary offer?
Jan. 3, 2007
I received an offer lower than my desired salary. I talked it over with HR, and they met me almost halfway with a second offer. Is it appropriate to renegotiate to get closer to my desired salary, or is it time to accept their offer?
Should I disclose that I saw the pay range for the job?
Jan. 3, 2007
Do I have a right to view the compensation band for my title?
What should I do when I'm at the top of the pay range?
Jan. 3, 2007
I work for a large organization. Each January, there is a pay raise for all employees. This year the raise was 3 percent.
You're It! How Layoffs Happen and What to Expect
Jan. 3, 2007
Michelle Babineau of Boston, Mass. has been laid off three times in seven months. The dot-com veteran has been through it all: the conference with a terse manager and human resources representative; the company-wide announcement led by a weeping CEO
Salaried vs. Hourly
Dec. 18, 2006
I recently hired on to a new company and could use some advice. On my second interview with my new company, I was offered a salary on a yearly basis...
Revising Job Description
Dec. 18, 2006
I have been working as a human resources assistant for the last two and a half years. Although I had no human resources experience when I started, I have now learned almost every aspect of my job...
Fired Because of Illness | Sick Leave
Dec. 18, 2006
Three weeks before my scheduled date of resignation, I got sick. After spending a Friday in the hospital and the rest of the weekend at home, I told my supervisor I expected to be in by the following Friday at the latest...