Radio Host Makes Shocking Claim About Shooting Hillary Clinton
Celebrating A TV Trailblazer
Q: "I followed all that great career advice about presenting to my boss how I add value and deserve a raise ... and she said no. She can't even give me a title increase. I feel humiliated. What do I do now? Do I have to look for a new job to save face?" Laurie says: In the last year or so, America has reached awesome new levels of unemployment rates. The marketplace is full of people who made six-figure salaries and are now looking for jobs at the mall, at coffee shops, and restaurants. If you are looking for a job, you are competing against the biggest pool of applicants since the 1970s, and we all know that nothing good happened in the '70s.
Even though the economy is in the toilet and most employees are afraid to ask for anything extra at work, some of us actually believe in our worth and take our cases to our bosses. Unfortunately, our bosses don't always agree, or their hands are tied by the current economy, so here's what's next:
1. Say thanks. Do thank your boss for the opportunity to present your case. Shake her hand, smile, and get back to work. You made your best effort, you demonstrated an important focus on your career, and you've shown your leadership team that you are interested and available for future opportunities.
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2. Keep it together. Don't take this reaction personally, and don't feel rejected. Your boss told you that a promotion isn't in the cards, but the same can be said for millions of other Americans. No one is getting a raise or a promotion right now. It doesn't mean that your hard work and professionalism aren't appreciated and won't be recognized and rewarded in the future.
3. Prove your case. Walk away from this experience determined to show your peers and colleagues that you have the company's best interests at heart. Jump back into the piles and projects that sit on your desk. Work with integrity. Approach each new assignment as yet another opportunity to make the case that you are ready for the next level. While she once might have taken it for granted, now you've put it into her head and she'll be acutely aware of your skills.
4. Shop around. If you do feel rejected, underemployed or underappreciated by your organization, I suggest you get out there and start networking. Talk to companies who are hiring, meet other professionals in your field, and get involved in alumni associations or not-for-profit groups where you will meet successful and influential people.
5. Give it time. Americans believe in capitalism, and it seems sensible to work hard and expect a promotion under normal circumstances. Unfortunately, employees aren't facing normal circumstances in America. My advice is straightforward and simple: Do the best job you can, be savvy about your career, and trust that your hard work will be rewarded in the future.
Laurie Ruettimann is a writer, speaker and HR exec with Fortune 500 experience. She blogs at Punk Rock Human Resources.
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Tuesday 15 September
By Abby S.
Great advice! I work in HR/recruiting and have had similiar conversations with interested candidates, as well as friends and family members!
Laurie had two great points here 1) Be aware of what's going on around in the world around us- having a job right now is half the battle, so be grateful for the opportunity to discuss a raise/promotion with your boss 2) If it doesn't work out, it's still your responsibility to be the best employee you can be!
Articulated well and diplomatic- a true HR expert here :)
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Tuesday 15 September
By JaneApple
Its stupid and small minded for you to think this woman doesnt deserve to paid her worth because of the economy idiot!!!!! Did you not see the executive get million dollar bonuses of failing companies. That money could have been used to give those people on the lower level their jobs back. You must be a corporate idiot too.
Tuesday 15 September
By JaneApple
I disagree with your article. It is so easy for you to talk up on your high six figure or more horse. Citing the high rate of unemployment is a joke. The people who were the victims who lost their jobs were the underpaid and overworked employee taken advantage of. The employees who made the six figures did so because they sold their souls. Lacking ethics and integrity. Stepping on the little people and kissing up the butt ladder. They deserved to lose their jobs. Now they can take stock of all the evil they have done to others. You sound like a corporate Nazi. You are downplaying her feelings and anger by advising not to take it personally. You are an expert at kissing corporate butt. Good Advice Mrs. Laurie.
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Tuesday 15 September
By Lisa
It seems a bit presumptive to assume that the employee's boss is a) an executive, b) making million-dollar bonuses, or c) in a position to authorize a pay raise. Incredible as it may seem, not all bosses and business owners are getting million-dollar bonuses.
Railing against the system is not a bad thing, but it certainly would be counterproductive to the employee's efforts to get a raise... which, after all, was the topic of the article.
Monday 23 November
By Ron
Many (not all) corporations today are taking advantage of the current economic situation. Not only are raises witheld, but also bonuses for middle management and lower.
The problem is not as much now as it will be 5 to 10 years from now when all the baby-boomers start mass-retiring. The power will then shift to the employees who will have their choice among multitudes of open positions. They will remember the companies that treated them and their friends poorly. They will remember what they had read in the news, heard on the radio, and saw happening in their communities when massive layoffs were going on.
The companies that now are taking advantage will be at a huge disadvantage when that time comes. They will have to pay a very pretty penny to acquire and retain their employmee base. What comes around goes around, even for big business.
My advice to these companies: Treat your employees now the way you want them to treat your business 10 years from now. You will appreciate their generousity, compassion and loyalty when you need it most.
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Thursday 31 December
By Ron
Many (not all) corporations today are taking advantage of the current economic situation. Not only are raises witheld, but also bonuses for middle management and lower.
The problem is not as much now as it will be 5 to 10 years from now when all the baby-boomers start mass-retiring. The power will then shift to the employees who will have their choice among multitudes of open positions. They will remember the companies that treated them and their friends poorly. They will remember what they had read in the news, heard on the radio, and saw happening in their communities when massive layoffs were going on.
The companies that now are taking advantage will be at a huge disadvantage when that time comes. They will have to pay a very pretty penny to acquire and retain their employmee base. What comes around goes around, even for big business.
My advice to these companies: Treat your employees now the way you want them to treat your business 10 years from now. You will appreciate their generousity, compassion and loyalty when you need it most.
Reply