Jumat, 03 September 2010

When Taking a Pay Cut Is a Good Move

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Taking a new job with higher pay shows that everything is going right with your career. But that doesn't mean taking a job that pays less than your last one is always the wrong move.

Common Scenarios

Experts cite several situations when you should consider taking a job at lower pay:

* Returning to the workforce. If you haven't worked for a time, you may not be able to return at the salary you were making when you left. Companies don't have to lure you away from a high-paying job, and they may be put off by your lack of recent experience. The pay cut may not be permanent, though.

Susan W. Miller, a career counselor and owner of California Career Services in Los Angeles, worked with one client who had been a director before he became ill and had to stop working for a couple of years. After he recovered, he looked for a new job.

"He was not going to be able to earn at the same level he was at," she said. Instead, he started as a manager at lower pay. "Now he has a history of success, so it's likely that after another couple of years, he will in fact be back to where he was."

* Changing careers. If you decide to move to a new industry or a new type of work, you will likely find that your years of experience in your current field don't count for much when it comes to pay. And if you're leaving an industry that typically pays well to go to one that doesn't -- for example, moving from a for-profit company to a nonprofit -- the shock can be even greater.

For example, newly minted attorneys can earn $160,000 per year, Miller said. "I can assure you that a first-year in almost any other career is not going to earn $160,000 per year."

* Gaining flexibility. Sometimes even the most successful workers reach a point where they would prefer a less intense job with less travel, even if it means less money.

"Candidates have stepped back dramatically in pay to get off the road," said Kathryn Ullrich, an executive recruiter in Silicon Valley. Others are simply looking for more flexible hours, such as the ability to leave work to attend a child's soccer game.

Other Considerations

And if you're not in one of these situations, but are simply offered a job comparable to the one you have, at lower pay? Tread carefully: It could be a sign that you're being asked to move from a top-tier employer to a second-rate one, or that your potential employer is not willing to invest in its employees.

Still, it might be a good move, depending on the circumstances. Will it save you an hour of commuting each day? Are you unhappy with your current job? Is your new employer willing to grant you a salary review in six months?

If so, consider taking it. In the long run, you'll do better at a job you enjoy -- and this will make you more attractive to other employers.

"Even though you're going to be making less money, you're going to be shining brighter, and others will notice that," said Cynthia Kivland, a career coach in Prairie Grove, Illinois.

Job Info , Career Sources , Employment

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Government Jobs: Extra Effort Can Pay Off

by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs


Do you want an employer with an established reputation? Are good benefits and an even better retirement plan important to you? Do you want to make a difference? Consider a career with Uncle Sam!

The federal government is on a hiring spree and will be for the foreseeable future. Tim McManus, vice president for education and outreach at the Partnership for Public Service, agrees. "There's a huge need to get high-quality, top talent working for the federal government," he says.

There are thousands of different jobs at more than 100 different agencies. McManus points out, "There are 193,000 mission-critical jobs that need to be filled in the next two years, but that isn't the full spectrum of jobs available." And because the majority of government jobs are located all across the United States, it's likely that there are opportunities in a city or town near you.

A lot of job seekers overlook the federal government as a viable employer. Some think it's too complicated to find a government job for which they're qualified -- when, in fact, looking for a government job requires just a bit of extra effort.

1. Find your calling.

McManus says, "One of the biggest obstacles for most people is that they simply don't understand the scope of jobs that are available with the U.S. government. The unique thing about the federal government is that the skills needs are so diverse."

So whether you're an accountant or a new graduate with a history degree, there's likely an opportunity for you. Remember as you begin researching openings that the U.S. government uses a set list of job titles that may not always mirror those in the private sector. Research job titles and descriptions at www.opm.gov/fedclass/text/hdbktoc.htm to determine the positions for which you're best suited.

2. Tailor your resume.

You may need to tweak your resume a bit when applying for a government position. Uncle Sam needs lots of details -- your social security number, the job code for which you're applying, dates and addresses for each of your employers and educational institutions, and more. Oftentimes, a federal agency may have a resume-building program you can use to apply. If not, make sure your resume is rich with details so that your credentials can be easily confirmed.

3. Follow instructions.

Federal job listings follow stringent requirements in terms of where they're listed, how to apply, who is eligible, and by what date applications must be received. You must adhere to the listing's instructions. If you don't, you will not be considered for the position, no matter how qualified you may be.

4. Follow up.

"Navigating the system is the next step," says McManus. "There may be some additional things that are required for federal employment [as compared with private-sector job searches]," he points out.

If you've applied to a government agency through the agency's online portal, you may well be able to check the status of your application online. If this isn't the case, wait a month or so after the closing date and make certain your materials have been received and that your application is complete.

5. Wait.

As with any job search, waiting is involved when pursuing work with a federal agency. Depending on the resources available, it may take weeks or even months for human resources workers to review all the applications and narrow a smaller pool of people to interview.

McManus advises federal job applicants, "You have to stay with it. If you look at the end result, the time and effort is worth it -- especially for people who want to make a difference. Working for the federal government is how they can make the biggest difference."

Jobs Info , Career Sources , Employment

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