Human beings strive to seek satisfaction in every aspect of their life. From satisfying their basic primal needs - hunger, thirst, rest and social interaction - the complex society today has its benchmark of goals and fulfillment that should be achieved by individuals. This set of goals and fulfillment includes securing a good job, preferably with a good pay and hopefully, with job satisfaction.
Why the wishful thinking in the latter part? Is it so hard to achieve job satisfaction? What is satisfaction anyway? Human beings are known for their nature of being hard to please. It is human nature to be inquisitive and curious.
The insatiable thirst for knowledge coupled with the incessant desire and craving for something new are factors which determine the never ending quest of humans striving for "satisfaction" in every aspect of their life. The ever changing and developing technology proves the never ending quest for satisfaction in life and the ever increasing number of people experiencing undue stress and problems denote an underlying sense of dissatisfaction.
There are many ways to seek satisfaction and different people opted for different ways to search for job satisfaction. There is a general rule of thumb - change your mindset and be realistic in your expectations. Try out these tips:
Embrace Changes
Accept the fact that things may change - people change and you may also change over time. Embrace changes and you will find that, you just might be a step closer to job satisfaction. Bear in mind that what brings you satisfaction today may not be so in the future. There is no one set rule of how to be satisfied with your job. There is also no fixed guideline on how to overcome challenges at work into a motivation for you to achieve job satisfaction.
Acknowledge Differences
For a gardener with eight mouths to feed at home, the meaning of job satisfaction may be to bring home his daily pay of RM15 and to ensure that his wife has the means to put the needed food on the table. For a top executive with a five-figure salary, job satisfaction is no longer a matter of daily survival - unlike the aforementioned gardener - it may be a matter of fulfilling his own personal goals and meeting other set objectives and aims of his organisation. With such a broad definition and interpretation of satisfaction, we are back to square one - How to achieve job satisfaction?
Can happiness bring you satisfaction? Yes, to a certain extent. Those who are wiser will say that satisfaction equates happiness and contentment. How to be happy then? "It is all in the mind" - a cliché which applies to almost everything in life - including in your quest for job satisfaction.
Working Life
4 Steps to Asking for A Raise
Do you feel that you deserve a higher salary? The fastest way to increase your income is to ask for a raise. But if you just ask your boss for a raise without giving him any reasons why you deserve one, you're less likely to succeed. These 4 basic guidelines can help you plan and prepare to explain to your boss why you deserve a pay raise.
1. Research
Start by finding out what the going rate is for those working in your field. Check out job listings for jobs similar to yours, and study published salary reports. If you belong to a professional organization, find out if they have salary information available. Be sure to factor in the number of years you have worked in the field and for your current employer. Settle on a range rather than a specific figure, and be prepared to negotiate.
Also, find out how your company is doing. Pay attention to the company grapevine or check business news and reports to gauge your company's financial health. If your company is facing financial difficulties, you are unlikely to get a raise, so you may need to wait a while till the time is right.
2. Prepare your evidence
You should emphasize how you have performed above and beyond your job specifications to justify why you deserve a corresponding pay increase. Approach this task as if you are preparing for a job interview or a major sales presentation. Write down any major accomplishments that you have achieved during your time with the company. Also note any additional responsibilities that you have taken on. Examples of evidence you might present are solid numbers of revenue you earned, costs saved, client testimonials praising your customer service, tight deadlines you've beaten, products and/or services you've improved, and so on.
However, do not cite your personal needs as a reason for needing a raise. This is not the time to bring up your mortgage or the payments for your new car. The salary your employer pays you is for value of the work you do, not the expenses you have.
3. Decide how you'll respond to a rejection
Before you even walk into your boss' office, you should give some thought to what to do if you don't get the raise. Will you continue to work for the company and ask again at a later date? Or will you look for another job that will pay you what you feel you're worth?
If you are otherwise happy at the company and plan to stay even if you don't get a raise, then ask your supervisor what you can do to increase your salary in the future – such as taking on additional responsibilities or improving your performance. Also, don't overlook non-monetary benefits such as additional leave, training and other perks.
If your decision to stay at the company hinges on whether you get the raise, resist the urge to frame your request as an ultimatum. Threatening to quit if you don't get the raise will make you look unprofessional – and your boss might take you up on your offer. Even if you are positive that you will leave if you don't get the raise, don't make this the focus of your request. And if your request for a raise is denied, accept the rejection gracefully, thank your supervisor for his time, and then go about your job search quietly and professionally.
4. Ask for a raise!
You've done your research and have a file folder of irrefutable evidence. You even have an exit strategy in the event of a rejection. Now is the time to ask.
Schedule a face-to-face meeting with your supervisor that allows plenty of time for you to make your case. Also, it makes it harder for your boss to say no when you are right there to overcome any objections. Let him know in advance that you wish to discuss your compensation to give him time to consult with HR and his own supervisor. Be polite but firm, and don't get emotional.
Asking for a raise may seem daunting, but it's an important negotiation skill that you'll be able to add to your repertoire. Plus, when you are successful, you'll be earning extra money so you'll have a real reward to show for your efforts. So, be positive and ask for what you're worth!
1. Research
Start by finding out what the going rate is for those working in your field. Check out job listings for jobs similar to yours, and study published salary reports. If you belong to a professional organization, find out if they have salary information available. Be sure to factor in the number of years you have worked in the field and for your current employer. Settle on a range rather than a specific figure, and be prepared to negotiate.
Also, find out how your company is doing. Pay attention to the company grapevine or check business news and reports to gauge your company's financial health. If your company is facing financial difficulties, you are unlikely to get a raise, so you may need to wait a while till the time is right.
2. Prepare your evidence
You should emphasize how you have performed above and beyond your job specifications to justify why you deserve a corresponding pay increase. Approach this task as if you are preparing for a job interview or a major sales presentation. Write down any major accomplishments that you have achieved during your time with the company. Also note any additional responsibilities that you have taken on. Examples of evidence you might present are solid numbers of revenue you earned, costs saved, client testimonials praising your customer service, tight deadlines you've beaten, products and/or services you've improved, and so on.
However, do not cite your personal needs as a reason for needing a raise. This is not the time to bring up your mortgage or the payments for your new car. The salary your employer pays you is for value of the work you do, not the expenses you have.
3. Decide how you'll respond to a rejection
Before you even walk into your boss' office, you should give some thought to what to do if you don't get the raise. Will you continue to work for the company and ask again at a later date? Or will you look for another job that will pay you what you feel you're worth?
If you are otherwise happy at the company and plan to stay even if you don't get a raise, then ask your supervisor what you can do to increase your salary in the future – such as taking on additional responsibilities or improving your performance. Also, don't overlook non-monetary benefits such as additional leave, training and other perks.
If your decision to stay at the company hinges on whether you get the raise, resist the urge to frame your request as an ultimatum. Threatening to quit if you don't get the raise will make you look unprofessional – and your boss might take you up on your offer. Even if you are positive that you will leave if you don't get the raise, don't make this the focus of your request. And if your request for a raise is denied, accept the rejection gracefully, thank your supervisor for his time, and then go about your job search quietly and professionally.
4. Ask for a raise!
You've done your research and have a file folder of irrefutable evidence. You even have an exit strategy in the event of a rejection. Now is the time to ask.
Schedule a face-to-face meeting with your supervisor that allows plenty of time for you to make your case. Also, it makes it harder for your boss to say no when you are right there to overcome any objections. Let him know in advance that you wish to discuss your compensation to give him time to consult with HR and his own supervisor. Be polite but firm, and don't get emotional.
Asking for a raise may seem daunting, but it's an important negotiation skill that you'll be able to add to your repertoire. Plus, when you are successful, you'll be earning extra money so you'll have a real reward to show for your efforts. So, be positive and ask for what you're worth!
6 Questions To Answer Before Designing Your Resume
Actually, there are more questions to answer, such as are you ready for working world or, are you certified sane to work. Kiddings aside, we filtered questions down to the essential six which you serioiusly need to ponder about before even starting to design your resume. Here we go:
1. What exactly do you want to do?
Seriously. What exactly are you thinking about doing? Were you looking at the job description and the qualifications to match yours, or you just want a job, or just want to get the heck out of the present place.
You want a tailored resume to a dream career, you first need to know what you will be doing spending minimum 8 hours a day, 5 (or more) times a week, for many years? Get that in your mind, you will find yourself greatly influenced by it before churning your resume out.
2. Do you have the required knowledge, skills?
Time and time again, human resource (HR) managers have thrown out or deleted resumes that keep clogging their mailbox simply because at a glance they know that the aspiring candidates do not fit for the job vacancy they have. The candidates may have skills of a accounts clerk while the job applied is that of a Art Director. Do the maths.
3. Do you have experience in this or similar jobs?
Again, do you have what it takes to tackle that job. Forget tackling, are they even going to think about calling you when your experience does not match at all with the job you are looking for. But then, you are probably passionate about something that is linked to the career you are looking at. That will have to go in your resume on page one. They need to know before considering deleting your mail.
4. What responsibilities have you been given or taken on your own initiative?
You know why the need for this question? It meant to ask how responsible a person you are. How great a team player and what leadership qualities you have. In this knowledge age, we are all our leaders, we lead and inspire others. Do you have what it takes to be a responsible and "response-able" leader?
5. Do your interest show that you are a pleasant-compatible employee?
Very simple, are you a nice person. Use your self-awareness and find out if you are pleasant, flexible and accommodating as a colleague. Send a questionnaire out to your pals and current colleagues. Let them be as honest as possible and find out what your weaknesses are.
6. How can I get more information about you?
Okay, don't look at me. That is a question from the HR managers who, let's assume at this point, is impressed with your resume. Now, they want to know more and even better, they want to verify stuff that you wrote about. Good references (not family members) help, plus if you have blog sites that speaks of your personality, it would help too. And speaking of references, don't forget to show your resume to them, they need to know if you are lying.
1. What exactly do you want to do?
Seriously. What exactly are you thinking about doing? Were you looking at the job description and the qualifications to match yours, or you just want a job, or just want to get the heck out of the present place.
You want a tailored resume to a dream career, you first need to know what you will be doing spending minimum 8 hours a day, 5 (or more) times a week, for many years? Get that in your mind, you will find yourself greatly influenced by it before churning your resume out.
2. Do you have the required knowledge, skills?
Time and time again, human resource (HR) managers have thrown out or deleted resumes that keep clogging their mailbox simply because at a glance they know that the aspiring candidates do not fit for the job vacancy they have. The candidates may have skills of a accounts clerk while the job applied is that of a Art Director. Do the maths.
3. Do you have experience in this or similar jobs?
Again, do you have what it takes to tackle that job. Forget tackling, are they even going to think about calling you when your experience does not match at all with the job you are looking for. But then, you are probably passionate about something that is linked to the career you are looking at. That will have to go in your resume on page one. They need to know before considering deleting your mail.
4. What responsibilities have you been given or taken on your own initiative?
You know why the need for this question? It meant to ask how responsible a person you are. How great a team player and what leadership qualities you have. In this knowledge age, we are all our leaders, we lead and inspire others. Do you have what it takes to be a responsible and "response-able" leader?
5. Do your interest show that you are a pleasant-compatible employee?
Very simple, are you a nice person. Use your self-awareness and find out if you are pleasant, flexible and accommodating as a colleague. Send a questionnaire out to your pals and current colleagues. Let them be as honest as possible and find out what your weaknesses are.
6. How can I get more information about you?
Okay, don't look at me. That is a question from the HR managers who, let's assume at this point, is impressed with your resume. Now, they want to know more and even better, they want to verify stuff that you wrote about. Good references (not family members) help, plus if you have blog sites that speaks of your personality, it would help too. And speaking of references, don't forget to show your resume to them, they need to know if you are lying.
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