What to Do if You Did Not Get the Raise

In the past, employees rarely worked for more than one company during their careers. In most cases, raises were automatic. Now, with corporations expecting to get the most productivity from each worker, automatic raises are infrequent for managers but are common for unionized workers. Today, managers must think of what action to take when raises are unsatisfactory or chances for promotion are limited. Furthermore, economists believe that corporations in the future will be structured by a core of managers with generalized business backgrounds who will hire temporary workers with specialties as the assignments require.

Be ready to open the door when opportunity knocks.

If you are caught in the web of downsizing, what can you do for compensation while seeking new employment or, possibly, a new career? Prior to your exit interview, contemplate achieving some relief by requesting:

• assistance in preparing a resume
• assistance in searching for a new job
• adequate severance pay (this is where your negotiating techniques are really put to the test!)
• provision for the interim by the company or via COBRA for long-term permanent health insurance
• use of secretarial assistance in preparation of letters to prospective employers

Note that if you are not allowed to leave your 401 (k) plan with the company, or you prefer not to, you might roll over the total distribution from that plan into either your new employer's plan or into an IRA. If handled correctly, no additional tax liability will be incurred.

1. Think about Changing Your Career

In addition to downsizing (or layoffs), some other causes for career changes may include:

• company-sponsored early retirements via bonuses or "golden parachutes"
• burnout
• forced retirement
• a promotion awarded to someone else
• voluntary (i.e., having no further opportunities available; having reached a level of competency: or having a prospective business opportunity)

2. Industries/Occupations with Bright Futures

Technology, especially with the advent of the computer age, has widened the salary gap between well-educated, technical workers and those lacking education and skills to compete. Average wages for newer technical jobs are higher than for existing jobs. Those workers with older technological skills are the ones caught in downsizing or perhaps being forced to accept cuts in salary. Thus, workers must continually retrain or reeducate themselves to become more viable in a job market whose needs arc constantly changed by improved technology.

LOOK FOR JOB OPENINGS WITHIN YOUR FIRM

Job positions provide you with information on opportunities that are available in your company. Exploring these opportunities can help you determine what you may want to go after and prepare yourself with the skills and background material needed prior to an interview. Make sure it is what you want and that you fit in.

If your firm has performance reviews, and you are knowledgeable about any job posted, you may take advantage during the review to bring it to your boss' attention. Also, a mutual discussion may be in order to review your career objectives and how they relate to the job posted.

WHAT ABOUT DOWNSIZED WORKERS RETURNING AS TEMPORARY HELP?

There are four categories of workers (as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) who have returned to their permanent employer under non-permanent employment arrangements. They are:

• on-call workers
• temporary help agency workers
• workers provided by contract firms
• independent contractors, paid wages or salaries

The use of these types of workers is quite common, and many companies have found their use cost-effective. On one hand, they don't want to lose experienced personnel, but, on the other hand, they don't want to pay them as careerists. So they've initiated this "revolving door" policy by using experienced workers as needed. Some former employees have increased wages, whereas others receive lower wages than when they were full-time employees. Company benefits are a thing of the past for them.

3. Anticipated Salaries

Salaries may be correlated to industrial growth.

4. Networking to Develop Contacts for Employment

In Cynthia Chin-Lee's book It's Who You Know: Career Strategies for Making Effective Personal Contacts, she advises how to maximize networking efforts by:

• Teaching. Increase your visibility by teaching part or full time in or relative to your field of expertise.
  
  
• Public Speaking. Volunteer to give seminars or speeches in your field, in particular, at your professional society or career fairs.
  
  
• Consulting. Full or part time, provides many contacts.
  
  
• Publishing articles or books. Contribute articles to the company newsletter, local papers, and regional and trade publications. Publishing a book-if you can-leads to more overall exposure.
  
  
• Becoming a Leader of a Volunteer Organization. Gives you a chance to practice management skills as well as increase your visibility in the organization and community.
  
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• Running for Public Office. Whether in a professional organization or political, athletic, or community organization, this provides additional exposure.

By networking, you can enhance your self-image, your appearance, your mannerisms, and your speech. All of these lead to positive attitudes that can only assist you. Your improvement will reflect on your desirability in either your current or future position. Meeting people, helping them, and letting them help you is most enriching.

5. Seeking New Employment

As an experienced manager, you are not a neophyte in knowing how to seek employment. However, it may have been some time since you have job-hunted and your skills may be rusty. Thus, it's beneficial to review techniques in preparing resumes, passing tests required by employers, and conducting successful interviews.

When applying for a job, you must provide sufficient information for the prospective employer to evaluate your skills and qualifications. A resume is in order when applying for management level, professional, or technical positions. Your resume should include: the type of position you seek, your educational background and professional experience. In describing your professional experience, you should include positions you held, your duties and responsibilities, identification of companies, and dates of employment. Also, include special skills (such as honors received, awards from professional societies, knowledge of special techniques, and proficiency in foreign languages.) The resume should be accompanied by a cover letter addressed to the person being contacted (with his or her title). In the letter, explain the reason for your interest in the company, a brief summary of your qualifications (especially, why you'd be an asset to the company), and a request for an interview.

For some positions, tests may be required such as aptitude tests, job knowledge and proficiency tests, literacy tests, physical ability tests, medical examinations, drug tests, and personality tests, to name a few. Before taking any particular test, learn about the testing process employed by the prospective employer. Brush up on job skills. For example: practice typing in preparation for a typing (proficiency) test; review books covering specific skills; do exercises in preparation for physical ability tests; review reading and mathematics books in preparation for literacy tests. Some help may be found in books covering preparation for civil service jobs.

If you do not receive an offer on the spot, ask when a decision will be made. (You may be requested to return for a second interview- a positive sign.) After thanking your interviewer, reaffirm your interest by reemphasizing your qualifications.

Make an analysis of how well your interview went. Each interview should be treated as a learning experience. Thus, review and list specific ways for improvement. Don't get discouraged!