Nov
24
There are times when we all feel a little undervalued at work. We may feel like we put in lots of time and effort, but end up working for the same pay rate, despite the fact that prices are going through the roof. So how can you successfully negotiate a good pay rise?
Well the main thing to bear in mind when negotiating a pay rise is that you need to prepare for the discussion you want to have with your boss. Don’t just wait until you are feeling really annoyed, undervalued and frustrated and then shout that you want a pay rise and that you know for a fact other companies pay more than this one.
Instead, prepare your argument. Do some research, find out, perhaps from a recruitment agency, which is the best rate around. Then prepare some statistics for your boss, provide examples of when you have stayed behind to help with a deadline, or when you have shown flexibility and been amenable to changes.
Try to sort out a time to meet your boss when the office is generally not too busy. If you arrange a meeting for 9 am on Monday morning, you will probably find that he or she is a little distracted, so analyse when is a quiet time in the office and arrange a meeting for then.
Present your argument in a way that is non emotive i.e. that does not attack your boss personally or professionally, but simply state that you have worked for the company for x amount of time, then present your work history i.e. sickness record, plus the examples of how often you have stayed late or helped out. Then you should say that you understand that other companies pay x amount which is more than you are on and could your boss see a way of accommodating a pay rise? If your manager cannot answer you there or then, try to establish a timescale for when s/he will let you know. Throughout the process, keep calm at all times and allow your manager to have a say as well! But this kind of calm, considered approach works much better than simply demanding more money!
Nov
24
Career Development in PR
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Career development in PR is often quite phenomenal, if you are good then there is probably no holding you back! It is however, true that you need to start often at a very humble level and from there you can progress to an account executive, a senior account executive or perhaps go freelance or found your own Public Relations Company.
Sometimes the hardest thing to achieve in PR is your first big break i.e. getting taken on by an agency. This is a very competitive market and so lots of people will want to join an agency. So you may even have to do some work experience at a PR company, just to get a feel for it. Most jobs in PR, particularly at entry level will be with an agency, but an agency will give you good experience.
If you find that it is hard to get an agency to take you on without experience, then simply talk to a recruitment agency about doing some unpaid work experience: they will probably get you a really good chance at some practical work and although it is unpaid, your CV will stand out from the rest.
Everyone also thinks about getting a PR job in London, but any of the big cities in the country will have PR agencies. They offer a great opportunity to be able to prove that you have experience, so widen your horizons and think about getting a position outside of London, then you can progress to London as your career flourishes.
But above all remember that you have to put in the time and effort to be able to succeed in PR, just like any other field. But it can be a very exciting environment to work in, so don’t let the thought of hard work deter you from a great career.