Some College Students and Young Professionals Willing to Sacrifice Salary for Social Media

It seems that social media has become so powerful that some college students and young professionals don’t mind sacrificing their earning potential(s) to connect to the Internet.  Learn more in the following infographic. Continue Reading

Should I Include Salary Requirements on My Cover Letter, Resume, or Application When Asked?

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

I recently found myself baffled.

Yes, baffled.

I placed an ad with a prominent, industry-related newsletter seeking a few new, talented, certified resume writers to add to our team. One of the requirements of the application submission included submitting a few samples of previous work the writers had completed—and also a request that they submit their fee requirements. Of all the submissions we received, only one candidate included fee requirements in the cover letter. Shocking, considering this was directly addressed in the ad. Continue Reading

8 Reasons You Should Take a Pay Cut

Dawn Dugan, Salary.com contributing writer

Just a few decades ago, the thought of taking a pay cut was preposterous. A history of a steadily climbing paycheck as you advanced through your career, gaining experience and promotions, was seen as proof that you were on the right track. The idea was “more, more, more” and if the number of zeroes dropped, so too did your standing.

Times have changed. Today, salary ups and downs are seen as par for the course. Given the unsettled economic environment, the only rule about salary is that there are no rules. In a society that has been taught to pursue ever-increasing paychecks, we are learning that sometimes taking a pay cut can actually be the more prudent career move. Here are seven situations in which it makes sense to take a cut in pay. Continue Reading

How Nursing Has Changed Through the Years

Ever since the dawn of modern medical care, nurses have played an important role. In fact, the ever-increasing demand for nurses indicates that their role is more important, now than ever. And as nurses have increased in importance, their role has changed considerably. From minor considerations like their appearance, to major changes like evolving technology, nursing has made some prominent strides in the past 50 years.

Uniform Changes

These days, the only time you’ll see a nurse in a starched white uniform with white stockings and a cap is on Halloween, when kids come trick-or-treating. Nurse uniforms and dress codes have changed considerably since the 1960s and earlier, when nurses were expected to wear dresses, caps and capes – and absolutely no jewelry or cosmetics. Today’s nurses wear more functional scrubs and most healthcare facilities have relaxed the rules about cosmetics and jewelry. Continue Reading

Non-Profit Workers Pay Increases 8.4% From 2011

Workers at not-for-profit organizations are generally feeling a little wealthier this year as compared to a year ago. They’ve seen their base pay increase by an overall average of 8.4 percent compared to 2011 according to a new study published by Total Compensation Solutions (TCS).

“This increase is significantly higher that we have seen over that last two study cycles 2008 to 2009 and 2009 to 2010,” says study project manager Tom Bailey. “The increases for the previous two study cycles reflected the severity of the economic recession with marginal increases of 2.4 and 1.5 percent respectively.” Continue Reading

12 Dos and Don’ts for Negotiating Salary in a Tough Economy

Determining Market Worth

Beth Cliff, Redfish Technology

Knowing what you are worth in the marketplace, or determining how to compensate a prospective employee can be a daunting proposition. Candidates want to obtain the optimum salary, while employers want to fairly compensate their new hires within their allotted budgets. The magic number that will leave both sides feeling good about their decision is in large part determined by the ever changing marketplace. Continue Reading

Compensation Conundrum – When You Should Compromise on Compensation

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.” - Mark Twain

Individual job search can be challenging (regardless of why you are searching for a new job), but group job search (as in a downsizing, closing of a location or closing of a company) takes the challenge to a new level. Of course there are a number of factors that potentially increase the pressure, like when an entire industry is under pressure or if the overall economy is suffering. Everyone, of course, handles the job search pressure differently. Some people don’t actually look for a job until after their last day (denial) while others jump in with both feet and do the all out job search with a goal of finding a new job before their current job ends. Everyone needs to approach the process in the job search in their own way and time, but panic is not a good way to start. Continue Reading

Average Oil and Gas Professional Earns $80,458

Wages and confidence are surging in the global oil and gas industry, according to the annual Salary Guide produced by Hays Oil & Gas and Oil and Gas Job Search. The Salary Guide, based on over 14,000 respondents worldwide, reveals an industry generally brimming with confidence despite widespread concerns over the global economy.

Employer confidence has seen a large increase with 26.7 percent extremely positive about the current market: up from just 9.7 percent in 2011. Three quarters of all employers expect staffing levels to increase in the next 12 months. Matt Underhill, Managing Director of Hays Oil & Gas, comments: “There has been a distinct move to employ permanent staff rather than contractors for many oil companies, which displays an outlook that suggests the industry is on a firm footing. However, conversely there is still great demand for contractors due to a raft of major projects coming on board and new regions increasingly using contractors. With the upward progression of contractor rates throughout 2011, the signs are positive as we enter 2012.” Continue Reading

Top Earners Amongst 2011 Grads: Finance Major Working for Banks Started at $67,700

Top pay among Class of 2011 bachelor’s degree graduates went to finance majors landing financial manager positions with banks, according to a report published by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

NACE’s Winter 2012 Salary Survey shows that the average starting salary for these graduates in this position and industry was $67,700. Continue Reading