The most important thing to having a job is happiness on purpose. I find happiness in serving my God my family and my country. And the best way to do that is with a good paying job. So go stick that in your country song. #youhavegotthis #motivation
We all feel a little lost sometimes, but just remember this:
YOU can do this YOU are significant YOU matter YOU are braver than you think you are
YOU have got this!
Whether you’re looking for a job or have one now, the time will come when you understandably will want to make more money. So, when you feel the moment has arrived to ask for a raise; follow these steps to help make it happen!
1- Make a plan Decide when you will ask and whom you will speak with. If it’s not your boss then who should this discussion take place with? Timing is also important, if your boss is going through a particularly stressful week it might be better to ask at another time!
2- Know it’s ok to ask It doesn’t make you greedy or entitled, so don’t be nervous! Your manager has likely been through this many times before and he/she expects it to happen. Be strong in your ask and know this is what is best for you. If the answer is no, you didn’t do anything wrong. My suggestion would be to follow up and ask them what would be needed to earn a raise! This way you have something to work towards to make that possible. You will also know where you stand and why.
3- Share where you want to go Companies like to know that you are in it for the long haul. So, stop and think about where you see yourself in another year. What can you bring to the company during that time? What do you personally want to accomplish? This is the time to speak up about positive things you want to progress towards at the company.
4- Know your worth and the market It’s important to know how much you are being paid compared to the current market. Sites like GlassDoor and others will help with this! Simply search for your job title, area in which you live, and then look for jobs with similar responsibilities to the ones you have now. This will give you a baseline. If you feel you are being underpaid comparably save the data you have found. This will help you put together a number in your mind that is reasonable and on target with the current market for your position!
5- Map out what you’ve accomplished This goes hand in hand with your plan! Before you ask for a raise spend some time putting together a list of all the things you’ve done over the time you’ve been there (or since your last raise). Note how far you’ve grown from the beginning to end. Be sure to pay attention to any specific accomplishments and highlight these! This will help you prove to your manager that you not only have done great things but are continuing to achieve more.
Good luck : )
Please comment with any questions or suggestions on how you earned a raise below!
Feeling nervous?
Don’t worry, before a job fair or interview it is 100% normal to feel a little anxious. Here are some tips to help you rock your next one!
Don’t forget to breathe An interview can be a high-pressure situation but it is important to take a breath and collect yourself when you are feeling nervous. When you are asked a question and you feel yourself blanking, it’s ok! Just take a breath and pause for a moment. To you, it will feel like a LONG time, but in actuality, it will be just a few seconds. Sometimes those few seconds are all you need to clear your head and refocus!
Prepare for outside forces Things like weather, traffic, and delays can cause our nerves to SKY rocket. Avoid them by leaving EARLY and planning your route. Know how long it should take you. If you’re driving get gas the night before, if you are taking the train or bus have your pass with you. Be sure to check the weather too to see if you need an umbrella or a heavier jacket so you are comfortable and stay dry when you arrive.
Pack the important things Don’t forget to bring a small notebook and pen to jot things down. You will want to review your notes when you get home so everything isn’t a blur! Also be sure to bring 40-50 copies of your resume as well as a business card if you do have them. It’s always best when you are prepared and ready to go so you aren’t stressed that you forgot something or scrambling at the last minute.
Present yourself in the best ways possible Think about how you would ideally want to present yourself as well as how you want your personality to come across to your interviewer. They are meeting you for the first time, so think about how you will come across. Practice answering questions in the mirror or record your responses and play them back. How do you sound? By prepping ahead of time and planning what you want to say, it will help build your confidence. Don't forget to smile, sit/stand up straight, listen, respond, and maintain good eye contact.
Remember to keep calm and [introduce yourself to the employer] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6d46f61d-c53b-5ec5-9d7c-69cc61713f6a) with a firm handshake. Give them a good vibe! Don't forget, they are human JUST like you and have been in your shoes. They will not only understand, but they will expect you to be a bit nervous.
Check out some other great tips to help you [prepare here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/29869635-4d8f-502f-b912-2211f8b674d8).
Wishing you the best during your job hunt! : )
We all want to be successful in our journey to finding a job, but sometimes the road feels long and never-ending. Help yourself improve with these 5 tips that successful job seekers do! : )
They are willing to improve Successful job seekers recognize that there’s always room for improvement! Be on the lookout for constructive feedback, and find ways to incorporate it into your job seeking efforts! Remember that if friends/family, recruiters or hiring managers share feedback where you could use improvement they are only trying to help. It’s important to learn from others and their experiences!
They understand that no job is 100% perfect Try to set your sights on securing a job offer in which you would generally enjoy going to work every day, and would also have the opportunity to develop professionally and acquire new skills. Don’t necessarily turn something down because it doesn’t sound interesting or is in your exact field of work. Open your eyes to new opportunities, you never know where they may lead.
They are wary of a slow hiring process and always are on the lookout When you are waiting to hear back from an employer, most times no news is usually bad news. Always be looking for jobs even after your interview is over. If you follow up and you are still met with silence after a week it’s best to move on. If they are interested they will definitely reach out. Just know that if employers are serious, they tend to move quickly.
They put in the time During your job search be meticulous in how you research, identify, and contact promising employers. You will have better results if you concentrate on a few great opportunities and understand what’s most important to each hiring employer, versus being all over the place. Then be sure to customize your application materials and take the time to prepare for each interview. This way they will realize that you’ve done your due diligence and will know exactly what you bring to the position.
They find a happy medium During an interview, you should find a happy medium between too informal (as if you’re talking to a stranger) and too formal (as if you are reading from a script). Be sure to pause thoughtfully before answering questions, adopt a good flow in a conversational style, be a good listener, and ask questions at the end (have those ready to go).
Do YOU have something that worked great for you during the job hunt?
Share!! : )
You might have woken up this morning full of energy ready to face the day OR perhaps you wanted to just pull the covers right back over your head and hide in your bed all day long. If you are the latter don't worry, it happens to each of us at some point!
Motivation is something we all need more of, but sometimes struggle to attain. Let’s face it, it’s incredibly hard to be 100% motivated at work or even in our daily routine every second of the day. So here are some tips to help you stay on track, whether you are on the job hunt, at work, or just living life.
Set goals Try writing at least 3-5 things you want to accomplish each day of the week! It can be immensely helpful as it gives you something to circle back to until the list is completed. Make sure to give yourself a little reward when you’ve finished all of your goals : )
Write yourself a note of encouragement Motivation comes from within and who better to motivate you than yourself? A simple, “YOU got this!!” written on a sticky note posted in your bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere you will see it can really help first thing in the morning when you’re feeling low. Remember not to be too hard on yourself. You could even consider finding a quote you enjoy [here] (https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Inspirational%20quotes&rs=typed&term_meta[]=Inspirational%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=quotes%7Ctyped) and printing it out!
Reach out to family and friends Life gets so busy, but there is no better time to check in with your loved ones. Talk about the difficulties you are facing looking for a job, at work, or life in general and just know that you are NOT alone. Everyone has been where you are right now and they can certainly relate. If you don’t feel like chatting with your loved ones, talk to us [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/community) in the community! We are there for you.
Watch and read motivational stories or speeches Everyone deserves (and needs) a great pep talk every once in a while. Stay motivated by watching some great inspirational moments or speeches like [these] (https://www.ted.com/talks?topics%5B%5D=motivation) or read about them so you can suddenly feel a new sense of motivation to keep going! Surrounding yourself with positive things is key.
Just remember at the end of the day that YOU have got this and that your only limit is yourself.
Sometimes it’s nice to remind ourselves that yes, I AM amazing. Maybe an employer hasn’t seen that yet or even said it to you, but it doesn’t mean that you aren’t. For me, I know I am amazing because I am an awesome mother and wife, a great friend and a pretty good singer...but mostly in my shower. We each have something inside of us that makes us great. Don’t forget it, even if NO one tells you, know that you are.
The holidays are coming and I am a little down on myself lately, no job and all, but I have my family. They remind me that having hope and believing in myself is the most important thing to do, no matter how tough the holidays can be. So cheer up people, it's the season to be awesome!!! We can get through this.
How MANY of us were asked this when we were younger? It was almost like telling us to pick ONE life, one job, one path, but there is nothing wrong with having many things that you love to do or want to do.
Check out [this inspirational tid bit] (https://www.ted.com/playlists/225/talks_to_get_you_through_your) if you are feeling lost, it will help.
Remember, life is about what we make of it and this includes our careers. We can do anything we set our minds to so don’t give up!
Surviving the Christmas holiday season with an uplifted spirit is sometimes difficult when you’re unemployed, but it doesn't have to be. Here are 3 ways to help you stay positive during your holiday job hunt!
1- Reach out when you are feeling alone Connect with others [here in the community] (https://www.jobcase.com/community) by posting a question or telling your story. Sometimes it's just nice to have someone who can relate to your frustration. Network with old co-workers and grab a coffee with them or just take a walk and catch up. See what they’re up to and if they know of any recommendations for you. Call up an old friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in awhile. There has never been a better time than now to reconnect!
2- Don’t compare yourself to others Sometimes commercials, movies, or even reading other people's blogs can make us feel a little blue. Remember that YOU are amazing and this is a rough patch that WILL pass. Everyone has been where you are right now. So, don’t compare yourself to others. Instead push away that tinge of negativity and stay focused on what you want, not on what you currently don't have!
3- Find sources of encouragement and empower yourself Check out some great [motivational quotes] (https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=Motivational%20quote&rs=typed&term_meta[]=Motivational%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=quote%7Ctyped) over here. You can print them out and plop them right on your fridge or where ever you want. You also can watch a brief Ted Talk to uplift your spirits. [These videos] (https://www.ted.com/playlists/225/talks_to_get_you_through_your) always helped inspire me when I was without a job for several months and feeling awful! They are worth a watch!
Remember to stay positive and keep [searching here] (https://www.jobcase.com/jobs/search) for new opportunities! We are here for you.