When Is It Okay To Sacrifice A Bigger Paycheck?

Congratulations! You have been offered the position that you have been pining for. During your final interview, you realized that the starting salary is less than what you expected. It is completely normal to feel disappointed at first. But, you must not dismiss a job offer because of the relatively lower paycheck.

Do not get me wrong! I am not advocating the acceptance of an utterly ridiculous offer. All that I am sayings is that there are some scenarios where a lower paying position can pay off in the long run. Here are just some of them:

#1: WHEN THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW

Just because your current position pays lower than expected, does not mean that you are going to be stuck in a low paying role for a lifetime. A low paying position may be used as a stepping stone for something much brighter. For instance, many bank employees agree to contract roles for a chance to be converted into permanent staff.

Other institutions provide opportunities to jump to different departments as they do not want their employees to be stagnant. Alternatively, you may use your acquired skills and experience as a leverage for the next company that you will apply for. You can get paid more as an “experienced” candidate.

#2: WHEN YOU WANT A CREDIT BOOST

there are two ways to boost your credibility without having to accept a bigger paycheck. One way is to apply for a recognized company and the other is to take on an impressive job title. Let us start with the former.

Notice how employable a person is when he or she comes from a multinational corporation such as Microsoft, Adidas, and Kia Motors. It is usually a good idea to accept a relatively lower pay to reap the benefits of a company name in your CV. But, be sure to move on to the next company when the right time comes.

The latter involves a flashy new title. Say you have been a sales associate for several years. Becoming an administrative officer for the same company seems like a breathe of fresh air. Although you will get paid similarly (or even less), you prefer a new title to gain more respect within the company. To other people, this compensation is enough.

#3: WHEN YOU ARE MAKING A CAREER SHIFT

A friend of mine has been in the retail industry since she graduated from a local university. In her early 30’s, she began to seek fulfillment beyond raising a brand’s sales. She became a preschool teacher. The starting pay was lower than what she expected, but she accepted it. You see, one of the major reasons why employees settle for less pay is because they are switching into different industries.

As the founder of an HR company called T.R. Ellis Group once said: “It’s unreasonable to expect to receive top dollar when you move into a role where you have little to no experience.” Think about the training expenses the company has to shell out just to broaden your skill set!

#4: WHEN THE BENEFITS ARE BETTER

I will let you join my trip down the memory lane. My first job did not include dental or medical benefits. I had to tap into my savings whenever I get sick just to get a medical certificate from the family doctor. To my delight, all these benefits were wrapped around the bow of my succeeding positions.

Perhaps you have to sacrifice a bigger paycheck for a job that covers your graduate studies or your travel expenses (e.g., flying overseas once a month). Workplace benefits may not appear as cash sometimes. This is why you have to look at the entire picture.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources:  1 &2

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How To Prepare For The CEO’s Nerve-wrecking Questions

Shifts in the workplace have occurred, along with the screening methods for position placement. It is no secret that preparing for any job interview takes effort and dedication. Moreover, it comes with a considerable amount of stress. Its final phase, the interview with the company’s CEO or President, may heighten the tension. This is the coveted peak of the candidate’s journey.

What shall you do to ace your final interview?

Well, researching on the company’s background is an obvious priority. Familiarize yourself with the company’s offerings (i.e., products or services) and history (i.e., including hierarchy) as well as the mission and vision. Knowing more information about the company enables you to prepare better.

Your next task is to uncover your own self. Understand how your journey was like before you decided to apply for the position. Were you a fresh graduate who stayed with the same company for 3 years? Or, were you not afraid to hop between jobs? The CEO or President will have so much insight based on the decisions that you made along the way.

Aside from these two elements, you must make your way around the tricky interview questions. Know how you will answer the following:

1. Can you describe your learning process?

My background in Psychology and education highlights the fact that everyone learns in a different manner. This is why I am a devoted advocate of individualized instructions. That being said, your answer to this question will show how you will perform given the demands of the available position.

As Stephen Baker (CEO of Attivio) once said: “Having a candidate articulate how they would learn a new topic or skill is a great sign of discipline, organizational skills, and intellectual curiosity.”

2. Why are you here today?

It may sound simple, but the answer entails profound introspection. Be specific when it comes to discussing your career motivations. Ensure that these motivations are in lined with your long-term goals.

This question will help the interviewer judge whether you are there for purely personal reasons or whether you desire to flourish the company’s current state. Gordon Wilson, the CEO of a UK-based software firm, urges that you must find a split between the personal benefits and that of the company’s. He was quoted saying: “if you benefit the enterprise the personal thing will come.”

3. Would you rather be feared or be respected?

If you are applying for a higher position, it is likely that you will be asked about your leadership style. This particular question never fails to catch individuals off-guard, according to Michael Gregoire. Michael is the CEO of an IT management software company called CA Technologies.

There is no distinct “correct” answer for this question. However, you must lean towards the answer that is best suited for the role. For example, it will be better if you are respected than feared in a collaborative workplace environment.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Consider these tips while you are preparing for your upcoming interview. May the odds be in your favor! 🙂

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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