Resume Writing: From the Public to the Private Sector

Working in the Public Sector or in a government job often entails many key benefits, such as increased superannuation, flexible working hours and dedicated time-in-lieu. However, for many public sector employees, there may come a time when private employment is desirable.

What to Expect

Changing sectors is often a positive and engaging move and public sector job seekers will often find a wealth of possibilities open to them. However, there are many things you will need to be prepared for, such as:

•    Culture changes – these can be small or large, depending on your current role and your desired role
•    Different people with different mindsets, goals and personalities
•    A need to undertake further education or qualifications
•    Demanding interviews, often using competency-based interviewing structures (however, the interview phase can often be shorter)
•    More industry fluctuation and volatility
•    Potential for higher salaries, but lower superannuation payments

Resume Writing

Moving into a private or corporate role means that you will have to write a new resume or significantly rework your current resume so that is specifically targeted at corporate or private roles.

This may seem difficult at first, but the key to success here is knowing exactly what value and skills you can bring to a corporate company and understanding how to demonstrate this via your professional resume.

Understanding Your Value: Make sure your value is portrayed clearly in your resume. What can you offer companies that other candidates can’t? You will need to point out to a private employer exactly what talents and competencies make you stand out over other candidates. You might have international experience, second language skills or experience in coordinating tasks across different locations. Think about what you can uniquely bring to a private company.

Including Achievements: Any employer or recruiter will want to see evidence of your achievements, no matter what your experience entails in the public sector. If your resume is simply a list of your duties, take the time to expand on the accomplishments you’ve made in your past roles. Employers not only want to see what you can do, but how well you can do it and how it improved your organisation as a whole. Include concrete examples where possible and use statistics (e.g. I improved this by x% or decreased costs by xyz amount) to support your claims.

Transferable Skills: Your transferable skills can often be what sells you as a candidate, especially if you don’t have extensive experience in a particular niche or industry. You will also need to relate your skills acquired in the public sector to the skills and experience the employer is looking for. This will be listed in the job advertisement or description.

If you were previously an administration clerk in the Defence Force, for example, your transferable skills might involve a capacity for improving processes, adhering to strict policies, employing attention to detail and gaining extensive database or record keeping experience.

Ability to Learn: If you are lacking in experience in certain areas, it can be beneficial to point out your ability to pick up new tasks or systems. You’ll need to back this up with evidence in your resume, however, by highlighting your learning achievements in your public sector job.

Jargon: Using any jargon or terminology from the public sector should be avoided in your resume. Instead, focus on using plain and simple English. If you do need to use specific terminology (such as for a job title), ensure that you explain what the term means in your resume.

Are you moving from the Public to Private Sector? Resumes Australia can help you write a great resume, figure out what jobs to apply for and ensure you achieve a smooth public-to-private sector transition.

Regards,

Going Global: The Rising Importance of Global Experience

When it comes to executive employment and senior-level positions, global experience and expertise is becoming a highly respected talent that many employers – particularly those with an international reach – consider invaluable in new candidates.

Why Go Global?

Global expertise is an emerging talent trend and can be leveraged by many executive job seekers to benefit their careers, salaries and reputation.

Even younger executives and aspiring leaders can begin steering their career strategies towards various roles that reward them with global experience. This initiative can take place by seeking out a brand new position or through opportunities offered through present organisations.

If certain executives are keen on tapping into leadership or high profile companies (such as Fortune 500 organisations), global expertise will be fundamental in forwarding the careers of these executives and enhancing their professional abilities on an international scale.

Global experience brings:

1. A key understanding of international markets, behaviours and trends
2. Knowledge of niche markets and how growth can be achieved by leveraging various niche areas
3. Experience in working with the different concepts and methodologies used in foreign organisations
4. A competitive advantage for job seekers over other executives who only possess local experience
5. Increased business acumen
6. Extended network of contacts that reaches internationally
7. Other key career opportunities that wouldn’t ordinarily be found in local employment

For Executives Already With Global Experience

Ensure your global experience is highlighted in your professional resume. You should include your key responsibilities while overseas, along with your achievements and outcomes

Also make sure that your resume demonstrates your global expertise, rather than just ‘experience.’ How did your experience develop your international expertise and how can this benefit future organisations you work for?

For Aspiring Executives Looking for Global Experience

• If you are currently in employment, make it known to your employer that you are interested in global experience or find out where global positions are advertised
• Make connections with executives who are located in other international offices
• If you are job seeking, consider setting your sights on a medium-large organisation who has international opportunities available or global offices you could potentially transfer to
• When attending interviews, point out to employers that you are interested in expanding your experience globally and are willing to travel if necessary
• If you are ambitious about gaining international experience, consider applying for roles with overseas companies offering sponsorship
• Learning a second language can also greatly improve your prospects of international employment

Considering going global with your career? Whether you are seeking long term or short term global experience, Resumes Australia can provide you with leading advisory, coaching and resume writing services to help you maximise your international success.

Regards,

Resume Writing for the Unemployed

Trying to get back into the workforce after you have been unemployed for some time can be challenging.

Employers and search consultants will often want evidence that your skills, strengths and proactivity have been maintained throughout your unemployed period.

 

When it comes to resume writing for the unemployed, here are some useful ideas on how to account for your down time:

Volunteer Work

Employers like to see that you are striving to remain active while you are unemployed and volunteer work is a great way to fill that gap. You should list any volunteer experience you have taken on, as well as any new skills and responsibilities you have gained. Including any key accomplishments will also be beneficial and demonstrates that you are still motivated and capable of achieving goals.

Consulting Work

Consulting work is a fantastic way to bridge the gap in your resume if you have been providing advice to other businesses during your time off. This will give you the opportunity to showcase your ongoing expertise and knowledge and demonstrate to employers the value you can bring to an organisation.

Temporary Work

Many job applicants also assume that temporary work is not beneficial enough to include in their resume or they worry that it will affect the consistency of their experience. Temporary work, however, can be a useful addition to your resume and shows the employer that you have made efforts to stay within the workforce, even if it has been in a role that is not entirely relevant to your career goals.

Education & Training

Any training, skill enhancement or education that you have undertaken while unemployed should also be mentioned in your resume. Courses, workshops, certifications and conferences are all valuable and mean that you have made the most of your time while unemployed and that you still have a passion for improvement and self-development.

Personal Time

It is perfectly reasonable to be unemployed for personal reasons. This can include time off for things like travel, study or caring for your family and kids. If you mention these factors in your resume, make sure that you make it clear why you decided to embark on these journeys in the first place and why you are now heading back into the workforce.

Other Things to Remember When Resume Writing:

• Be honest about your unemployment; there is no point in trying to cover up the fact that you are out of work. An employer or recruiter will most probably uncover the truth anyway, so it is important to be upfront and honest in your approach
• If you are quizzed about how or why your previous role ended, be truthful, but accentuate the positive rather than the negative aspects of what occurred
• Resume writing can be a difficult balancing act between including just enough detail and not giving too much away. If you are struggling with how to depict your unemployment, consider whether a qualified resume writer could make a difference to your applications

Lost your job? Resumes Australia offers a range of career services, including resume writing and interview coaching, to help you get back into the workforce. Contact Us today for a confidential discussion or email your resume to: resume@resumes-australia.com.au.

Regards,

Company Perks That Can Enhance Your Career

Today, many job hunters want much more than a simple salary boost or a good retirement package from their employers.

Overall happiness and a work-life balance are at the forefront of executive demands these days, and top employers are responding by offering additional perks and benefits to attract and retain top talent.

 

If you are searching for a new job, keep your eyes out for some of these amazing perks that could make a real difference to your job and your career:

Day Care Programs

With the new parental leave benefits recently announced for hardworking executives, many corporate organisations are recognising the need to be ‘family friendly.’ Providing in-house Day Care Programs for parents is one of the biggest ways that companies seek to retain their valued employees full-time or even part-time even after they have made the decision to have children. This is a great perk to look out for if you’ve got young kids or if you are looking to have children in the future!

Work Flexibility

Many employers are also conceding to executives’ demands for more flexible work arrangements. This could include the chance to work from home on a regular basis or opportunities to start or finish the workday either earlier or later. This gives employers the chance to attract a wider net of quality employees who may have family commitments to take on or who don’t want a long commute to and from work each day – and who otherwise wouldn’t consider joining the company without some flexibility. Most organisations, however, may not advertise or promote their flexibility, so be sure to ask this when approaching employers or recruiters.

Opportunities for Fitness & Health

Promoting greater health is the key to having happier and more productive staff. For this reason, lots of organisations offer gym memberships and discounts for health and fitness facilities. Sports teams, clubs, lunch time activity classes and access to local recreation facilities are all perks that show how dedicated an employer is to the health of their workforce.

Education & Training

Providing career training and advancement opportunities are perks that prove loyalty to employees by encouraging personal growth within the company. Executives keen to learn and gain further education can look for a position in an organisation that provides instructor-led, web-based or even video-based training, or one that will reimburse your tuition should you pursue advanced training or education at university or another institute.

Company Car

If you have to travel a lot within your job or simply to get to/from your job, a company car is an excellent perk to keep an eye out for. This can both maximise your time and productivity and it will also save you money since you won’t need to pay for your own vehicle. If you are having trouble negotiating the kind of salary you want with a new employer, asking for a company car instead may be a great compromise that benefits both parties.

Private Health Care

In Australia, health care costs seems to be endlessly on the rise and yet many executives consider comprehensive health care essential to their wellbeing. You may find that many larger, corporate organisations will offer healthcare cover for their employees (and in some cases, their families, too) or they will provide a monthly benefit to help pay for your private health care. If you are trying to negotiate with an employer over salary, health care benefits can be a great perk to ask for as well.

Profit Sharing

Profit sharing is often limited to corporate organisations, but this can be a great perk, as you will get to share a percentage of the company’s profits, which can be a nice little bonus to complement your job.

Socialising

It’s important to remember that work isn’t all about sitting at a desk, too. Lots of great friends and valuable contacts can be made on the job – and often, these come to fruition through socialising. If you love the idea of being part of a team or community, look for organisational perks that include social clubs or activities. It might be as simple as monthly company lunches or organised team days off-site.

Taking control of every aspect of your career is essential in achieving success fulfilment. Resumes Australia provides leading career services, such as career coaching and resume writing, to help your career flourish.

Regards,

Tasks Job Seekers Should Do Each Week

Whether you are between executive jobs or simply searching for your next corporate position, finding a job isn’t always easy.

Although you might be applying for roles each week, standing out from the crowd and securing an interview can be extremely competitive.

 

If you are having a challenging time getting noticed by employers and recruiters, my best advice is to open your mind, step outside of the box of traditional applications and expand your opportunities in other ways.

1. Expand Your Search

If you have simply been utilising one or two job sites to search for roles, it might be time to expand. Consider either changing the keywords you use in your searches (e.g. ‘project leader’ instead of ‘project manager’) or coming up with other ideas regarding where you can find vacancies. Social media site like LinkedIn and Twitter, for instance, are considered just as vital now for jobs seekers as are traditional websites like Seek and MyCareer.

2. Revise Your Resume

Let’s be clear: there is no point in revising your professional resume every week for the sake of it. However, you should be revising your resume to suit each position that you apply for. Every role and employer will have different qualities and criteria that they are looking for and your resume should be adapted to reflect the desired skills and talents the employer is after.

It’s also possible that there is much room for improvement in your resume in general. You might want to expand on your skills, include more achievements or simply add in new talents that you’ve acquired. If your resume is simply not attracting the right employers or recruiters, it may be time to seek advice from a professional resume writer.

3. Follow Up

Many job seekers make the mistake of simply sending off their resumes and then sitting back to wait. Although this might seem like a humble move, the reality is that recruiters and employers often receive dozens of resumes for one vacancy and don’t have time to contact every single person they hear from.

Following up with a phone call gives you the opportunity to begin building rapport with the hiring manager/consultant and shows them that you’re proactive and passionate about the job. If you don’t reach any success after this move, you might need to revisit your resume to see what’s going wrong.

4. Connect With Recruiters

Another way to expand your opportunities outside of online applications is to meet with recruitment agencies and search consultants who specialise in your industry.

For example, you might choose 1-2 new agencies to meet with each week. This can open up new avenues for both networking and employment and although appointments can be time consuming, they can pay off in the long run. Once you’ve met with a consultant, endeavour to stay in touch with them on a regular basis; this is as much about relationship building as it is about finding work.

5. Become a Social Butterfly

To give yourself the best chance of securing high level employment, it’s imperative that you spend some time each week networking. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and new employment and will benefit you significantly if done well.

Networking can take place online, via sites like LinkedIn or Twitter, or offline, by attending events or meeting with consultants, industry executives, old colleagues and even friends.

6. Strengthen Your Interview Skills

You never know when you might be asked to attend an interview. Consultants might simply be impressed by your resume or you could find that a casual chat with someone quickly leads to an opportunity for a formal interview. For this reason, you need to ensure that you are ready to make the most of any interview and that your interview approach is fresh, accurate and competitive.
Rehearsing answers and researching the company will help you refine your interview skills and secure your success for the next round. If you’re particularly anxious or if your next interview is especially important to you, interview coaching can help give you that competitive edge and can train you on what to say to meet employers expectations.

Resume writing and interview coaching are just two of the valuable services we offer at Resumes Australia. We specialise in assisting executives and candidates find employment in any industry and at any level, from graduate to manager to CEO.

Regards,

Interview Coaching Tips Every Candidate Should Know

It’s often the small things in life that count and when it comes to job interviews, those little things can contribute significantly to the first impression you make to an employer or search consultant.

If you’ve got an interview coming up, here are a few of my best interview coaching rules that I recommend every candidate should abide by:

 

1. Dress Professionally

Dressing well is important in job interviews and, as I explain to many of my interview coaching candidates, you should dress professionally and conservatively. Wearing your best corporate outfit (even if the role/company is not corporate) will ensure that you are well presented and that you are taking the interview process seriously. Make sure that your clothes are clean and fresh and that they are crinkle/crease free. Polished shoes that are free of scuff marks are essential too.

2. Be Punctual

Punctuality portrays professionalism; a lack of punctuality can give employers the impression that you are either disorganised or unreliable (or both) and that you aren’t serious enough about the role to show up on time. This can harm your application and blemish your professional character.

An overdue arrival also means that you risk rushing into the interview and being flustered, instead of being relaxed and confident. What’s the best solution here? Make sure you are organised and that you know exactly where the interview is taking place. Research the location, the transport and/or the parking and allow yourself ample time to get there. In general, you should aim to arrive at least 15 minutes early.

3. Fresh Scents

It might seem trivial, but bringing an unfavourable scent with you into an interview can distract interviewers and create an unfavourable impression.
• Make sure you are freshly showered before the interview (especially if it’s a hot day); don’t show up flustered and/or sweating
• Perfume or aftershave/cologne can be a lovely addition, but make sure it’s not overpowering
• If you are a smoker (or even if you are not), make sure your breath is clean and fresh; carry mints or chewing gum with you (but don’t chew these during the interview)
• If you are a smoker, avoid smoking before the interview

4. Bring A Notepad / Compendium

It is an extremely good idea to bring a notepad with you to your interview so that you can write down any significant information or questions. A notepad also shows the interviewer that you’re taking the process seriously and that you consider the information learned in the interview important. Making sure that your pen and notepad are professional is crucial too; don’t show up with a piece of paper torn from your notebook or a blunt pencil. A leather compendium is a great accessory and it can be worth investing in one, both for job interviews and meetings in general.

5. Conduct Research

There are dozens of resources available today that can help you learn about any business, showing up to an interview without knowing anything about the company will be detrimental to your case. Research demonstrates enthusiasm and drive and also gives you an insight into what the company does, how they operate and how your skills and talents can bring value to the table.

6. Turn Off Your Phone

There is nothing worse than a buzzing or ringing mobile phone in a job interview. Make sure your phone is turned off (or at least set to ‘silent’) before the interview commences and don’t play with your phone or check it during the interview. This makes you appear distracted and uninterested and can be seen as rude and disrespectful by the interviewer.

Did you know that Resumes Australia can work with you on a variety of Interview Coaching programs to help you refine your interview techniques? Contact Us Today and we’ll show you how to master that next interview – and get the job.

Regards,

7 Leadership Qualities You Must Have On Your Resume

If you are searching for senior and executive positions in the Australian marketplace, you will be familiar with how competitive the landscape is.
With networking platforms like LinkedIn bringing more executives, search consultants and head hunters together, executive positions are becoming more difficult to obtain – and your resume or CV must execute the right strategies and display the right leadership qualities in order to impress employers.

1. Global Expertise

As we continue to become a more globally focused society, expertise and knowledge at the global level is becoming a highly sought after skill, when it comes to senior positions. Seeing beyond the confines of the local or even the national market and into the international domain – alongside the ability to take businesses into this domain – is something every leader now needs to be able to demonstrate. Ensure that you highlight your global expertise, marketplace knowledge and international acumen on your resume.

2. Cross-Functionality

Organisations are not simply becoming more global, but are also looking for ways to become more efficient. Achieving more with less is a huge focus for many of today’s top companies. Cross-functionality is crucial in the business world and involves being able to lead not only in one area or at the highest level, but also across multiple sectors or functions within the business.

3. Innovation

For any leader, the capacity to drive change and growth is a given, but it’s still important to include on your resume. Great business leaders stand at the helm and turn the ship, but also decide where to go and what strategies are needed to get there. When it comes to resume writing, look for ways to emphasise how your innovative qualities have shaped products, services, business performance, people performance, marketplace success or even influenced and met broader industry demands.

4. Adaptability

All strong leaders understand that not everything is in their control. As much as they can take a company to new heights, being subject to industry fluctuations and trends is still part of an organisation’s everyday existence. While it is fine to claim you are an “adaptable” leader, it’s how you deal with these fluctuations and trends that will truly make your leadership skills stand out. In your resume, make sure you demonstrate how you maximised the opportunities brought on by industry trends and how you adapted to grow and succeed.

5. Technology-Driven

Technology can be the comforting pillar of a successful organisation. Being in touch with technology and up-to-date with its challenges is crucial for any contemporary leader. While in the old days it may have been acceptable to simply step back and rely on those under you to understand technology, technology today is becoming increasingly significant in all areas of business, from finance to marketing to finding new ways to grow within the given market.

Correspondingly, many more executives are embracing technology now more than ever; they are actively participating in online communities like LinkedIn and Twitter and they’re utilising everything from blogs to digital strategies to automated machinery in order to improve productivity and evolve the ways their business operates. Does your resume accurately reflect your grasp and understanding of the technology required in your industry?

6. Social Intelligence

Every business is about relationships, whether it is between managers and employees, executive and colleagues or leaders and customers. Social intelligence is often an underrated skill when it comes to describing yourself on a resume. Yet, no matter how great you are at innovating and problem solving or decision-making, you’ll never get your strategies off the ground without exceptional social intelligence and influential people skills. Real leaders don’t sit behind closed doors; they’re out on the floor, motivating, inspiring and enacting change. When resume writing, consider how your social intelligence has specifically impacted your career or advanced your leadership talents. Remember, leadership is about people, not about businesses.

7. Love the Hard Yards

The best leaders are firm, but fair. They are people drivers, yet they also know how to make tough decisions and they can agree to the necessary compromises without ruining relationships or hindering progress. As a leader, it’s vital that your resume shows how much you love the hard yards of running a business. Leaders who see hard times and difficult decisions as opportunities rather than setbacks or threats are more likely to capture the attention of employers. If your resume looks like you’ve had it easy over the past few years, revise and include details on how you’ve driven companies through tough times and emerged with a win on the other side.

Resumes Australia is a leading executive resume writing service open to all executives through Australia. Contact Resumes Australia today to learn more about our leadership resumes.

Regards,

What Barack Obama Can Teach Us About Job Interviewing

He’s got one of the most prestigious positions in the world and to the delight of many supporters all over the globe, Barack Obama has just secured his job for a second time.

Why is he so successful? Some say it’s because of his policies, while others claim it’s thanks to his charismatic confidence and his ability to relate to the American people.

 

While you don’t necessarily have to be a President in the making, there is much to be learned from this great leader when it comes to job interviewing.

He is extremely well spoken…

Like all public speakers and Presidents before him, Obama is extremely well spoken. He rarely falters, stutters or becomes lost for words. He knows his topics and he knows them well. In job interviews, it is imperative that you are the same – you must know your experience, your values and your capabilities. You must also be able to articulate these in a confident, engaging and succinct way. Just as Obama builds rapport with his American followers (and no doubt he’s great at it), you must build rapport with your employers and interviewers.

He addresses the right issues…

Obama is a leader who is very much in touch with the issues and events surrounding daily American life. As a result, his actions and goals revolve around developing a better nation for all. When it comes to job interviewing, your vision should be the same: you will want to address the right issues and the right questions that are not only important to you, but important to your employer and the position on offer. Many candidates head into an interview prepared to talk about themselves, but without assessing what the employer really wants or how their particular skills fit into the job requirements or the organisation at large.

He has a sense of humour…

It’s not all doom and gloom when Obama addresses his audience. He’s been known to make jokes about himself, come up with amusing responses to political happenings and even sing songs. While you don’t have to go this far in your job interview, and while you should remain professional at all times, having a light sense of humour can help build rapport with your interviewers. It also shows that you’re a positive person who has the ability to relate to other co-workers and employees. Beware of being too arrogant or making inappropriate jokes however; there is a fine line between being personable and alienating your employers.

He’s determined…

Part of being a great leader is not only having the ability to make important decisions, but to find the determination to ensure the right outcomes come to fruition. The same goes for job interviews; being determined (without being pushy) is an invaluable trait, particularly when it comes to chasing up opportunities and addressing any concerns the interviewers might have over your suitability for the role. It’s hard work, but being determined often pays off!

He’s got the right support…

One of Obama’s key tactics as President has been to surround himself with informed people who share his values, but also know how to challenge his opinions and views. The same goes for your career – you’re the “President” of your own job seeking campaign and surrounding yourself with mentors, executive coaches, search consultants, resume writers and interview coaches can all help you secure your success.

Are you an emerging leader preparing for that next job opportunity? Executive Interview Coaching is just one of the many coaching services available at Resumes Australia. Get in touch with us today or learn how we can transform your resume too.

Resume Writing Tips: How to Describe Your Expertise

Expanding on your skills, which today are mostly referred to as expertise, in your professional resume is crucial.

As a leading headhunter, I have seen too many self-written resumes where the candidate has listed generic skills, such as “great at sales” or “managed a senior team.” While these statements might be true, they don’t add anything powerful to the resume, and don’t tell the employer anything beyond the basics of what you can do.

What’s the right way to exhibit your expertise in a resume?

Relevancy

Before you begin describing your expertise, you should ensure they are relevant to the position you are applying for. You should read through your professional resume again and make sure that the expertise and achievements listed in your resume correspond with what is being asked for in the job description. That is, they should directly tie in with what the employer is looking for.

For example, if the job advert for a Business Development Manager mentions “development of new sales policies,” does your professional resume adequately show that you can create and implement policies? Or is it just full of general sales and management expertise?

Understanding Your Expertise

When approaching employers and recruiters, it’s crucial to remember that your expertise is your main selling point. With your overall experience they are the elements that will market you as a suitable candidate for the role.

Anyone can assert that they are “hardworking” or that they are “great at management,” but it is how you have applied your expertise in past and present roles that is vital – this is what recruiters look for, and this is what needs to come through in your executive resume. How have you utilised your expertise in the corporate environment? How did they impact the business and help further your career?

Your Experience & Achievements

Your job achievements should be a direct representation of your relevant expertise. You need to highlight what the main purpose of your role was in the respective organisations you worked for, and demonstrate how your expertise contributed to the business.

You can do this by using the STAR Framework:  Situation – Task – Action – Result

Situation:    Describe a situation, set of circumstances, issue or problem you encountered.

Task:            Explain what you thought needed to be done to address the issue, problem or situation, why it was important and what your role was.

Action:        Describe what you actually did, how you did it, and the level or extent of your involvement in resolving the issue or dealing with the situation.

Result:        Detail the outcome, impact, result or benefit of what you did.

Using the STAR framework to expand your experience will bring value, strength and depth to your professional resume, reinforcing your expertise so that you stand out from other candidates.

Resume writing can be a challenge! Even more challenging is writing an executive resume that pertains to a specific job description and promotes your talents accordingly.

Resumes Australia has a wide range of resume writing services that will help you put together an outstanding professional resume.

Regards,

6 Mistakes When Negotiating a New Salary

Securing a brand new job or simply finding out that you’ve been accepted for that promotion is an inspiring feeling – and as part of your success, you will need to negotiate a new salary.
Salary negotiation can be tough and I’ve been witness to some big mistakes made by candidates when it comes to discussing their new salary. These mistakes, although small, have cost them thousands of dollars and some have even resulted in them losing the opportunity altogether.

If you are negotiating your new salary, be aware of these top 6 mistakes that I’ve observed repeatedly.

Mistake 1: Including Salary Details In Your Professional Resume

If you have included any salary information in your professional resume, you should delete it, whether it’s your current salary or the salary you desire. Revealing your salary expectations in your executive resume can hinder your chances of success, especially in the early stages.

If you are successful in winning the role, it also means that you are “stuck” with the salary you’ve already disclosed, or the employer will only make you an offer that’s slightly more than your current salary. Remember, your professional resume is there to showcase your experience, achievements and skills for the role – not as a starting place for salary negotiations.

Mistake 2: Giving Away Salary Details in the Interview

During the interview process, some employers may ask you what salary you are looking for.

But just like your professional resume, it’s crucial that you don’t disclose any of your salary details or expectations until you have been offered the role, and negotiations have commenced. Setting the salary bar too low early on can greatly limit the room you have to negotiate more later.

If you are questioned in an interview about your salary, remain “elusive” or politely inform the employer or recruiter that you’d prefer to leave any salary discussions until the end of the interview process.

Mistake 3: Accepting the First Offer

When an employer makes you their first salary offer, you should keep in mind that it is an initial offer. That is, you should negotiate a higher salary or a better package based on this figure.

Even if you are thrilled about securing the position, accepting the first offer means that you’ve (a) reduced your salary instantly and (b) set back your salary progression for the future.

Mistake 4: Being Too Demanding

Salary negotiation takes a lot of tact and skill, and coming off as too pushy or demanding in your negotiations can lead to your requests simply being refused or, in the worst case scenario, your offer being retracted.

Instead, think clearly and carefully about the true worth of the skills and talents you are bringing to the table, and consider the realistic benchmark for salaries in your given industry. If in doubt, a career coaching professional may be able to help you.

Mistake 5: Failing to Leverage Other Areas

Often, I’ve seen employers tell candidates that there is absolutely no room for negotiation when it comes to their base salary. Usually, the candidate simply responds with, “oh ok” and then accepts the offer.

This is a big mistake. Even though some companies may not be able to budge on salary, it doesn’t mean that you can’t negotiate with them in other areas. For instance, you could ask for more bonuses, increased benefits, a company car or a salary review in the near future?

Mistake 6: Not Hiring A Negotiator

I’ve also seen many executives negotiate their own salary and as a result, they end up greatly underselling themselves. An experienced negotiator can potentially earn you thousands more when it comes to your salary, and they will be able to advise you on what salary range you should be aiming for in terms of your skillset and industry.

Are you ready for a pay rise?

Salary negotiations are tricky. If you’re not confident, why not get in touch with Resumes Australia? Our salary negotiation services can advise you on what you’re really worth and help you achieve a salary that’s on a par with your success.

Regards,