What do Employees Wish for Most (And how to get it.)

Written by Karen Fritscher-Porter


What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus or raise. At least that's so according to results from a recent survey developed by OfficeTeam, a global staffing service that specializes in placing administrative professionals. The telephone survey, conducted by an independent research firm in February, polled 571 men and women inrepparttar United States overrepparttar 107086 age of 18. All respondents were employed full-time in professional positions. Survey results revealed that almost half (48%) ofrepparttar 107087 respondents put "a bonus or raise" atrepparttar 107088 top of their "wish list" at work.

But that wish probably doesn't surprise those of us who already feel overworked and underpaid or are in need of just a bit more money for personal financial reasons. But is that wish based in reality and if so, why isn't it happening for some of us?

Well, while I can't tell you with absolute certainty how to get a raise, I can tell you it often takes more effort than simply crossing your fingers or putting it on your "wish list".

Your first step toward getting a raise or bonus is to tackle that reality factor associated with wanting more money; that is, you must determine if and when you warrant a raise or bonus. And today's reality says that being a worker who gets to work on time, does a good job and sometimes even stays late just isn't enough to warrant bigger bucks in business. Neither is personal financial need.

"A lot of people haverepparttar 107089 misguided notion that because they're working really hard, they deserve a raise," says syndicated workplace advice columnist and leadership development consultant Joan Lloyd. "Or people think that because their personal expenses have gone up, they deserve more money." Not so, says Lloyd who owns Joan Lloyd & Associates in Milwaukee (www.joanlloyd.com).

"The bottom line is there are only two basic ways to earn more," Lloyd says. "And that's either increaserepparttar 107090 size ofrepparttar 107091 job or increaserepparttar 107092 level of performance."

More specifically, Lloyd explained these two factors this way:

1. If you have roughly 20 percent more responsibility and authority in your job, you're within your rights to ask for more money, she says. That's because your job is more substantial and thus truly worth more now onrepparttar 107093 open market.

2. If your performance onrepparttar 107094 job is over and above, then a merit increase or bonus pays you forrepparttar 107095 effort and results you're getting.

And determining if or when your performance has increased relies on more than instinct or guesswork. Use methodology. Have a plan.

"Atrepparttar 107096 beginning of every year afterrepparttar 107097 performance review, talk about expectations [with your boss]," advises Lloyd. "Ask 'What would excellent performance look like?'" she says. And persist if your boss doesn't give you a straight answer. "Say 'I really want some examples,'" says Lloyd. "Ask 'Does it mean this? Does it mean that? How can I aim for a higher goal so that atrepparttar 107098 end ofrepparttar 107099 year, I'm eligible for a bigger merit increase?'"

Freelance Writer

Written by Dana Lawrence


How Much Are Men Spending on Grooming Products? More Than You Think

More men are frequenting spas, undergoing cosmetic surgery and buying new lines of grooming products in drugstores. The three-day beard look is definitely out, as is drawingrepparttar line at a neat hairstyle and some aftershave. While that approach is both simple and inexpensive,repparttar 107085 escalating importance of appearance inrepparttar 107086 current social and business climate has createdrepparttar 107087 new "metrosexual" man.

As currently defined, "metrosexual" is not one, but a range of attitudes about male appearance, and looking sharp and clean-cut isrepparttar 107088 goal. Though some veer left, others right - when it comes to right down to it, everyone is onrepparttar 107089 same page. Good-looking skin, hair and nails are essential, both in business and in attractingrepparttar 107090 opposite sex.

Investing inrepparttar 107091 Bottom Line Recognition is growing that paying attention to grooming products may simply be a wise investment, and that it's not easy to keep up with women who utilize every method underrepparttar 107092 sun to stay looking young and attractive as long as possible.

According to Drug Store News, "men have become more aware," and they're spending more than $1 billion annually on their appearance. Manufacturers of personal care products have also become more aware, offering Nivea for Men, Gillette Complete Skincare, and a new Clearasil line extension just for young men.

Eye Cream for Men? Unthinkable No Longer The "average Joe" is even dabbling in tinted moisturizers, eye creams and hair treatments, such as XCD’s Improver Tinted Moisturizer and Reviver Eye Cream, and Vogue International's Ego Trip and Not For Girls haircare. Accordingly, chains such as CVS and Rite Aid are making room to expand space devoted exclusively to men.

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