Briefcase
Make the most of salary questions during interview
Compensation is a subject that makes many job seekers squirm during an interview. But there are ways to deftly field the question should it arise, says Monster.com, the Internet job search service.
If a prospective employer wants to know how much you make, try to deflect the question, saying your skills are what matter, not your current salary. Your experience and abilities should determine your paycheck.
Try to persuade the employer to come up with a number before you do. It’s possible to low-ball yourself if you don’t have a clue about what they have in mind, the site says.
But if you’re pushed to divulge a number, mention a range that you’d like to make, the site advises. If you’re making $35,000 in your current job, say you’re seeking between $42,000 and $55,000.
It’s also smart to research how much other people with similar positions make.
Leadership: Teamwork sounds good to CEOs, but few listen
Top executives at many companies preach teamwork but rarely practice it themselves, according to a bimonthly magazine published by the Conference Board, a New York-based business group.
Higher-ups have a hard time functioning on a team because they’re uneasy about listening to subordinates and are prone to dominating meetings, said the article, “All for One, but None for All? Why CEOs Make Lousy Team Players.”
Another problem is that CEOs tend to give up easily if they don’t see fast results.
“Some consultants believe that executive teams fail because CEOs are just too bright, too dynamic and too impatient to do the laundry that team maintenance requires,” said Michael Finley, the article’s author. “CEOs are so competent that collaboration feels weird to them.”
Motley Fool: Name that company
I trace my history back to 1939, when All American Aviation offered a “flying post office” service. In 1995 I recorded my first profitable year since 1988. After many acquisitions and name changes over the years, I got my current name in 1996, when I also placed a mammoth order for 400 Airbus jets. System-wide, I manage more than 3,000 daily departures, serving 205 airports in many countries. My hubs include Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C. My fleet sports more than 340 aircraft, and I boarded 67 million passengers in 2000. I’m based in Virginia and have a one-letter ticker symbol. Who am I?