Tag: salary

Talent Tip # 99: Want to Be Fashionable? Stop Wearing Fanny Packs (And Stop Asking Candidates for Salary History)

January 23, 2018

If you follow fashion, you know that off-the-shoulder necklines, fanny packs, and male rompers are going out of style in 2018.

If you are like me (fashionably clueless), you are surprised to learn that fanny packs had even staged a comeback (once in style was too much, amirite?). And you are even more surprised to learn that male rompers are even a thing. (Apparently they are nicknamed “RompHims.” Get it? Instead of “Romp-Hers.” I wish you could see the look…

Talent Tip #87: Embrace the Power of Markets: Pay Your Best Talent Well or Risk Losing Them

February 19, 2017

Talent Tip #87: Embrace the Power of Markets: Pay Your Best Talent Well or Risk Losing Them 

If you are on this email list, you are a big believer in the power of free markets.

(And if you are not, let me know so that I can mail you a copy of Free to Choose and then we can have a little chitchat.)

Since you are a big believer in markets, you no doubt treat your employees accordingly when…

Talent Tip #81: Five Tips for Discussing Salary During Your Job Hunt

July 19, 2016

Talent Tip #81: Five Tips for Discussing Salary During Your Job Hunt 

Life is full of painful but necessary events: visiting the dentist…paying taxes…watching a Lifetime movie marathon at the request of that special someone…discussing salary during a job hunt.

Unfortunately, I’m not well-equipped to help you deal with the first three; but on that last one, I’ve got you covered! In fact, I’ve put together ten tips to help make the process painless. Here are the first few:

Talent Tip #60: Goldilocks and Salary: Getting it “Just Right”

September 15, 2014

Remember the fairy tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears?” Our girl Goldi didn’t want the porridge too hot or too cold; she wanted it just right.

And so it goes with salaries and job applications. We don’t want to list a salary that is too high or too low; we want to list one that is just right.

A big thanks to my friend Alex in Kentucky who suggested this topic (which we started to address in last month’s e-newsletter).…

Talent Tip #59: The Magic Formula Revealed: Determining the “Right Salary” for a Job Application

August 15, 2014

If there’s one topic everybody wants to know more about, it’s salary. (Well, that and where socks go when the dryer eats them.)

My friend Alex in Kentucky requested that I write a tip on handling salary when it comes to job applications.  He sums up the salary dilemma perfectly:

“Can you provide guidance on how to handle salary requirements on a job application? I don’t want to lose out if an organization is willing to pay more than the…

Talent Tip #44: Liar Liar, Pantalones en Fuego!

April 18, 2013

I love a good story — especially if there is a good lesson we can draw from it. That’s why I wanted to share this tale I just heard from a friend.

A gentleman recently applied for a job with my friend’s organization. During the application process, the candidate was asked to provide his current and desired salaries.

He provided the following figures:

Current: 85k*

Desired: 97k*

Fair enough, right? Of course, we can debate the 14% desired increase, but…

Talent Tip #38: Tips for Talking About Salary

October 16, 2012

If my candidates are any indication, talking about salary is one of the most dreaded conversations one can have — second only to perhaps “the birds and the bees” discussion with your child.

The question I get most frequently is, “How do I respond when an organization asks for my salary requirements?”

Fear not, my friends, I’ve put together some advice to make the process painless.

Talent Tip #28: No Raise or Bonus? You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!

December 13, 2011

With the holiday season comes annual reviews. Therefore, I’ve been getting many calls lately about raises and bonuses. Some calls have come from employees wondering what to expect under the tree, and other calls have come from employers questioning what appropriate gifts will look like this season.

Well, let’s start with the obvious: thanks to the Grinch (aka the Government), the market still stinks. Donors continue to limit giving; thus, we have to keep our Santa belts tightened. Given that, here…

Talent Tip #27: Talking Turkey: Determining an Appropriate Salary Range

November 15, 2011

Whew! Last month’s tip about providing requested salary information inspired a lot of great feedback! It’s going to take several months to get to all the great ideas, but let me start with the most common question I received: how does one determine an appropriate salary range?

Yikes. That’s like answering, how do you fall in love? Hell, if I know!

I jest. However, determining one’s salary isn’t something you can easily calculate with a simple formula. Rather, it’s a very subjective, imperfect…

Talent Tip #26: Show me the Money! (Or I’ll Keep Quoting Overused Movie Lines)

October 18, 2011

Job hunters, huddle up.

I care about you guys. So, it pains me when I see you do things to shoot yourself in the foot. Namely, when you don’t provide salary information when requested in job postings.

Let’s first think about the main reason nonprofits want your salary requirements up front: they need to know whether you’re in the range they have budgeted for the role. It’s just that simple. There’s no evil conspiracy to tell your ex-wife how much you…