by Dannie O’Flaherty
Myth:
There are certain times of year when it’s a waste of time to look for a job—Christmas, the summer season, etc.
Reality:
Although there may be fewer actual job offers made during the Christmas holidays, there is still plenty of search activity that goes on. Also, it is an excellent time to connect with people, since it provides many good excuses for networking meetings, and people are fairly “kicked back” and more willing to spend time with you. There's another factor to consider: this period is the end of the fiscal year for many companies, and they run into a “use it or lose it” deadline as far as the hiring budget is concerned—if the headcount budget is not used by the end of the fiscal year, it may go away. As a consequence, many candidates have experienced a rush from companies to get those offers extended before the end of the year.
So what about Summer? It is true that there are many folks on vacation in the Summer, and this may well include decision-makers. However, this does not necessarily slow down the hiring process—if a company needs to fill a key position, decisions will be made despite vacation schedules! The message here is: don't operate on assumptions. To maximize your visibility in the marketplace and to maintain your momentum, be consistent in your job search efforts, regardless of the time of year.
Myth:
If I try to negotiate for a better offer, the company may rescind the offer.
Reality:
The hiring process is costly to companies. Once it has been decided that you are the right person for the job, the hiring decision-makers have a vested interest in making this decision work. Most of the time, this means that there is room for negotiation on the offer. Note we say,“most of the time” there are indeed some companies that have a non-negotiation policy. Be attuned to this “take it or leave it” attitude and tailor your negotiation stance accordingly. Still, it is rare that there is zero room for negotiation, so it is to your benefit to be prepared to negotiate (1) within reasonable and realistic parameters and (2) with justification of why you are worth more. Of course, there is no guarantee that you will be able to improve the offer, but the more ready and able you are to provide good reasons why your compensation should be higher, the better chance there is that you will be able to gain traction on some elements of the offer. Finally, consider the positive statement and vote of confidence you are making about yourself when you attempt to sell your worth for a higher value. Bottom line: You cannot lose by negotiating.
Myth:
If I prepare and practice what I might say in an interview, my responses to questions will sound “canned” and false.
Reality:
The more comfortable and familiar you are talking about your background, accomplishments and challenges, the more confident you will actually be, and, therefore, sound. While it is certainly true that rote memorization is not an effective approach to preparation (it will make you sound canned, and if you lose your place while talking, you may well find yourself lost!) Preparing your responses and stories in advance and practicing them will help you project poise, competence and confidence. In an interview, telling stories about your successes in a self-assured way can instill an increased sense of confidence about you, and that can translate into a better offer.