How to ask for a payrise

Introvert Whisperer / How to ask for a payrise How to Ask for a Payrise Emma Otusajo June 17, 2019 Communication, Dealing with Fear No responses Go to top Do you wince at the idea of asking your manager for a payrise? Or do you think it’s not worth bothering because you know what the answer would be? Money’s not exactly a topic we’re encouraged to talk about and, with businesses making cutbacks everywhere, it’s easy to think that it’d be impossible to get an increase in your salary, especially not simply by asking! More than half of all employees don’t ask for a pay rise for all sorts of reasons, the most common ones being they don’t think they’ll get it or that the budget is set in stone. But it’s not and you don’t have to muddle along, potentially being paid less than you’re worth. So, how can you justify your worth to your manager that persuades them to put their hands in their pocket? How do you build up the boldness and the courage to ask? Here are some tips to help next time you ask for a raise: Justify your value Think about how you can show your value using facts and figures. Have you exceeded your sales targets? Have you delighted customers in some way? Use positive feedback, sales figures and the company’s key performance indicators to measure your value and what you are bringing to the company, suggests Oliver Lee, manager of Host my BnB. This way, you can start to show in black and white exactly what you’re worth. With a job that has value difficult to measure, such as a job in social care, you can put forward how many successful outcomes you’ve had with customers or specify how much you have helped customers over X period of time. Check Out Other Companies Director of workforcepositive.com, Kearin Lowry, suggests finding out what salaries other companies in your sector are paying their staff to do a similar job. Have a look at some job websites, such as GlassDoor, to find out what others in your profession are getting in their salary, says Oliver Lee. Kearin suggests saying something like: “I’ve noticed that the average salary for positions similar to mine are 5% above my current rate and I have 5+ years of experience”, then ask for a meeting with your manager to talk about this in more detail. This way, you can use it as a good benchmark when asking for boss for a payrise. You might even impress your boss that you’ve done your homework and come to the meeting with your facts and with confidence! Write it all down During conversations, it can be easy to lose your track, especially if you’re a manager is more of an extrovert or tends to speak extensively. People and change consultant, Celia Swales, suggests writing down all of the points you want to raise, how different aspects are making you feel. Write down possible responses for points you think your boss might raise, too and prepare some reasonable answers Practice in the Mirror It’s not just what you say it’s the way you say it and the body language, too! As with a job interview or any other challenging conversation, you usually practice what you’re going to say, but practice facial expressions as well. You know the way you sometimes freeze at a question in an interview? When you practice those facial expressions, focus on how your face feels when you smile or relax and practice away from the mirror, perhaps with a friend. This will help you when you’re having the actual conversation with your manager. If you feel yourself freezing up, take a breath, relax your facial muscles and smile, before answering. Be Realistic Let’s be real here. It’s unlikely you’re going to get an extra 20% increase, so consider asking for a reasonable amount of money. The average salary raise for staff that asks for it is around 2% of their salary. The other part of being realistic is that your boss may tell you the payrise you want isn’t possible, but instead offer you something you a raise slightly lower than what you asked for. Open Questions = Open Mind When going into a meeting, many people have the mindset that they want to get their points across be heard. However, it’s important to listen to what your manager has to say and, when you get an answer that you may expect, such as a no, if you ask some open questions, this can open up the conversation, Celia highlights. She suggests asking questions, such as what would you be looking to see from me that would warrant a pay rise? or what impact does me asking for a raise have on you? These sorts of questions may allow for discussion in more detail and be a doorway into more negotiation. Choose the Right Time You should never feel like your issues aren’t important enough to bother your manager with, states Sarah Aubrey, CEO of HR training provider, DPG Plc. However, choosing the right time to ask for a chat is important. If you know your manager is stressing to finish an end-of-month report and pulling their hair out, maybe just hold on until they’ve finished. Alternatively, just send them a quick email and ask if you can have a chat when they get a minute. What’s the Worst That Can Happen? Often, people are made to feel like their salary or wage is set in stone, as set by the employer. What’s more, it’s not in our nature to think of asking for more money but you know what? You should! The worst that can happen is you can face a straight ‘no’ for now, and if this is the case, you can always ask your manager what you would have to do to get one and then work towards that for the future. Try to keep the gates open for asking again in the future. By Emma Otusajo Emma is a freelance article,  content and copywriter, specialising in areas including career, events and sustainability. She loves the written word and enjoys working with businesses to write great content that interests their customers and brings results. An introvert at heart , she loves connecting with others and writing inspirational stories. You can follow here on her website at  Emma Writes. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What is it Like to Attend the University of Northwestern - St. Paul

What is it Like to Attend the University of Northwestern - St. Paul Noah earned his bachelors degree in professional writing from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul. He specializes in ACT tutoring, writing tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Noah: The University of Northwestern - St. Paul has a gorgeous campus. The best parts of nature are on full display all year. The campus also has great architecture; from the recently remodeled fine arts center to the beautiful, old-fashioned chapels. I felt very safe, partly because the campus feels separated from the rest of the world. I could always count on the communitys moral behavior, and the general positive atmosphere stopped me from feeling afraid of any outside dangers. UNW provides buses to and from the various buildings on campus, the dorms, and the shopping centers not far from campus. Walking and biking are always viable options as well. I didnt have a car on campus, so I wasnt very familiar with the driving and parking rules. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Noah:I chose to attend the University of Northwestern - St. Paul in part because of its small class sizes. The professor to student ratio meant the faculty was very accessible. I often sent questions over the campus email system and got timely, helpful responses. When necessary, I could also find the professors and advisers in their offices before or after class time. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Noah:For all five semesters I spent at UNW, I shared a dorm with four other guys. We got along swimmingly. Our dorm was across the street from campus proper and directly next to a building that held a few of our classes. The dining options were fine. Anyone with dietary restrictions, including me, could find accommodations easily. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Noah:As far as I know, all of the majors and programs have the same amount of support; I didnt notice any program represented more than others. My major was professional writing. At UNW, professional writing is a hybrid of the English and the communications departments. It wasnt a flawless program, but I received a little bit of training in each subsection of the professional writing world. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Noah:There is no Greek life at UNW. I got along well with my roommates and am still in contact with one of them. Many of the social gatherings I did attend were small enough that I didnt feel uncomfortable, and they were populated with people I wanted to socialize with. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Noah:In my experience, the Career Center, counseling services, and tutoring services were all very accessible and helpful. It was one of my English professors that put me in contact with the Society for Technical Communications - Twin Cities, and they recruited me as an intern. As I understand it, other students also got connected with careers while at UNW. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Noah:I hardly ever studied anywhere besides my room, but my roommates frequently used the available study areas. As far as I saw, they were spacious and not crowded. Describe the surrounding town. Noah:Taking the bus to Target or driving to the other shopping centers in Roseville were the most interesting things my roommates and I did off campus, but that was okay with us. I dont know of any other establishments or things to do in the surrounding area. As I said, UNW is fairly secluded. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Noah:I was very happy with the small class sizes and the small student body, because it meant the teachers were accessible and I didnt need to socialize more than I was comfortable with. I was in a few honors classes, which were usually even smaller in size and were perfect for fun class discussions. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Noah:My favorite class was Honors Topics in Literature: Modern Shakespearean Fiction. I only took it because I was required to take a specific number of honors classes in a certain number of different disciplines. Regardless, I was looking forward to it, and am so glad I took it. We read modern adaptations and derivatives based on the works and life of Shakespeare. We were encouraged to find our own examples of Shakespearean things and bring them in for show and tell. On that note, Dr. Jones was the main reason this was my favorite class. He was hilarious, and his humor was high-intellectperfect for an honors class. It also helped that he was clearly passionate about this realm, so he knew a lot about it and really enjoyed fostering creative discussions. Check out Noahs tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Teach Yourself How to Sing 5 Helpful Tools

Teach Yourself How to Sing 5 Helpful Tools Megan L. Would you like to teach yourself how to sing, but arent quite sure how to do it? Although hiring a singing teacher right from the start can get you where you want to be sooner, there are also some great tools for you to use when practicing on your own. The following can help give you a head start: 1. Keyboard One key to singing is understanding the notes, so the first thing youll need is a keyboard or piano. You don’t have to invest in a grand piano, but getting your hands on a small keyboard will help you get familiar with different notes and scales. Any simple, new, or used electronic keyboard will do the trick. Once you can clearly distinguish notes and imitate them, you can move on to simple melodies, intervals, and more. 2. Pitch Pipe A pitch pipe gives you the starting pitch as you learn to sing a song. It’s a very easy tool to find any music store should have a range for you to choose from and they are usually pretty inexpensive. You can use the pitch pipe alongside a keyboard, or on its own if you’re singing a cappella, without an instrument or melody accompanying you. This important tool not only helps you get started, but it also keeps you on track while you’re singing simply revisit the pitch as youre practicing to make sure youre still correct. 3. Metronome A metronome  helps you maintain a steady pace while singing. Simply set it to the speed you want, and start practicing as you listen to it clicking along, youll be able to tell if youre slowing down or speeding up. The latest metronomes on the market are small, so theyre easy to carry around with you if you want to take it along to a singing class or band practice. You can also find apps for your smartphone or tablet that work as a metronome. 4. Recorder Any voice recorder will work wonders when you’re practicing. You can find recorders made specifically for vocalists, or most smartphones have a recording feature that you can use. Again, whether you’re trying to teach yourself how to sing using a keyboard or without any instrument at all, a recorder can be extremely helpful. As you practice, record yourself so that you can keep track of your progress. You can also record a song that you enjoy listening to and would like to learn, and use it as your guide when practicing on your own. 5. Private Voice Teacher The ultimate singing tool is, without a question, a private voice teacher. A voice teacher can help guide you along at the right pace and teach you correct techniques, so if you’re serious about developing your singing skills and becoming a singer, don’t think twice about finding a teacher. A professional not only helps you with expertise and real-time feedback, but also by encouraging you to stick to a practicing schedule to keep you on track to reach your goals. Although these tools can help you  teach yourself how to sing  at a beginner level, a private voice teacher is necessary if youre serious about improving. At an early stage, great tools like a keyboard, pitch pipe, metronome, and recording device help set a good foundation but if you are dedicated to becoming a better vocalist, then investing in a professional’s guidance is your ticket to success. Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by InSapphoWeTrust

Mean Deviation - Online Math Tutoring

Mean Deviation - Online Math Tutoring Mean deviation is the measure of variability. It is deviation from the average of a data set. Mean deviation of the population = | x - | / N = Population mean N= Population size. A manager of a company can find the mean deviation by taking the deviations and averaging these values. Because it is computed using the absolute values, the mean deviation is less useful in statistics than other measure of dispersion. However, in the field of forecasting, it is used occasionally as measure of error. Note: - Sum of deviation from arithmetic mean is always zero. (x - ) = 0 This property requires considering alternative ways to obtain measure of variability. T get the non-zero sum value we take the absolute value so that we can ignore the negative sign of the deviation value. Example: - Find the deviation from arithmetic mean of the given data set. 5 9 16 17 18 Solution:- X x- 5 -8 9 -4 16 3 17 4 18 5 x = 65 (x- ) =0 = x / N = 65 /5 =13 So ( x - ) = 0 Example 2: - Find the mean deviation for the same above data. Solution: - Take the absolute value and then find the sum of absolute deviation. Mean deviation= | x - | / N=24/5 = 4.8

6 Surprising Things About Senior Year of High School

6 Surprising Things About Senior Year of High School Senior year of high school is full of exciting opportunities. You may be chomping at the bit to graduate and get to college, but you must remember to live in the moment and appreciate all that this year has to offer! In order to prepare you for the year ahead, here are six surprising things about your senior year of high school. 1. Taking important classes It is a common misconception that seniors do not need to take anymore of the important classes, leaving them to only focus on fun electives. While it does vary by high school how many core classes a senior will need to take, you definitely are going to have to sign up for some of the more serious classes. One major benefit of senior year is that students typically have the opportunity to take additional courses, such as AP or college-credit classes through local colleges or universities. Classes such as these are helpful as they can help clear up your freshman year of college schedule. Or, if you would rather, take a class you have simply always had your eye on. Check with your high school to see the opportunities available. You never know what you may discover! Keep an open mind and perhaps you will come across a subject within your future career. [RELATED: Why Senior Year of High School is Important] 2. College preparation You should use much of your senior year to start preparing for the transition to college. You cannot wait until the end of the year to begin thinking about your future. You wouldnt want to miss any important housing or registration deadlines for your future campus, for instance. On the flipside, if youre considering a gap year, ensure you explore those opportunities well in advance. Act quickly because deadlines approach sooner than you may think. 3. GPA validity Your GPA still counts and definitely still matters during your senior year of high school. While you may be taking less or even easier classes, you still need to do your absolute best to earn solid grades. Remember that colleges can revoke an acceptance offer if your grades slip too much. A good GPA is important for many reasons including college admissions, scholarship opportunities, or even just to display when you create your first resume. 4. Friendships One thing to keep in mind is that once your senior year of high school is over, you may not see most of your classmates ever again. People change, and friendships change; do not be too hung up on being friends with everyone possible, or by issues that may have occurred with classmates in the past. Savor your time with the people who matter to you. It can be bittersweet to end your high school career, but try to focus on all of the exciting opportunities in your future while you hold these memories dearly. 5. Senioritis Yes, senioritis is a common problem and it will likely set in fast. It can be really tough to stay motivated during the entire final year of high school. In order to avoid senioritis, keep yourself as busy as you can. Stay involved with school activities, get a part-time job, focus extra on schoolwork, etc. You are going to have a year full of lasts, so you might as well make the most of it. Senior year will end up flying by, so do everything you can to enjoy it. 6. Young underclassmen Do you remember being a freshman in high school? Remember how the seniors always seemed so grown up? Well, prepare yourself for the opposite feeling because the freshmen are going to look quite young to you now that youre at the top of the schools totem pole! Consider helping out a freshman with directions in the school or advice on upcoming classes, as you would have likely appreciated when you were in their shoes. Keep in mind that senior year of high school, while very fun and rewarding, is also a time to set yourself up for a successful future. You still have a whole year of classes, so do not let that senioritis kick in too quickly. Find the perfect balance of enjoyment and hard work, and you should have an excellent last year.

Major changes coming to the SAT in spring 2016

Major changes coming to the SAT in spring 2016 College Board President David Coleman has announced the first major changes to the SAT since 2005, when the writing section was added and the total possible score increased to 2400.   The redesigned SAT will focus on skills necessary for college and career readiness and will be modeled on the work that students complete in difficult high school courses.Important elements of the SAT redesign include:A switch back to the old 1600 scale.Three sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, Math, and the Essay.The essay will be optional.   It will take 50 minutes to complete, and will ask the student to analyze evidence from a source and examine the persuasive abilities of the authors argument.The test will take approximately 3 hours to complete, with an additional 50 minutes for the optional essay.In the evidence-based reading and writing section, students will have to support answers with evidence drawn directly from the passage.SAT vocabulary will move from more obscure words to words t hat students are likely to use in college, like synthesize.Math will focus on a few areas only: arithmetic, algebra, functions, and proportional thinking, among others.   Calculators will not be allowed on some math sections.No more guessing penalty.The test will be available on paper and on computer by spring 2016.As you can see, these are major changes from the current version of the SAT.   Students who are taking the SAT this year and next year, these changes will not apply to you.   Dont worry, and keep doing what youre already doing!   Students who will take the SAT in spring 2016 (mainly current high school freshmen), this SAT redesign will apply to you.The College Board will release more information about the new SAT on April 16, including sample problems.   Over the next two years before the redesigned SAT is released, the College Board will make sample problems and materials available to guide your preparation.The College Board also plans to offer free practice SAT material in partnership with Khan Academy over the coming year to assist students with SAT prep, as part of their goal to level the playing field among all students taking the SAT.   This is a great idea, and we support more transparency surrounding the SAT prep process.   However, we also believe that there will always be a need for expert assistance from those familiar with the test and with your specific needs as a test-taker, and a need for structure and accountability in a test-preparation program.We here at AJ Tutoring are looking forward to bringing our Bay Area clients more information about the redesigned SAT when it becomes available in April.   In the meantime, if you have any questions about how the new SAT will impact your preparation (or any questions about the old SAT!), feel free to call us at (650) 331-3251, or email info@ajtutoring.com.   Were excited about helping our students through the changes to the SAT!

How Music Lessons Help Boost Creativity

How Music Lessons Help Boost Creativity Creativity is often seen as an innate talent and as an ability reserved for artists. However, scientific research on the brain reveals that  music lessons  can be an excellent way to battle stress, add structure and learn a new skill with  many amazing and surprising benefits at any age. Studies have suggested that not only does learning an instrument strengthen memory and reading skills, performing in a community   encourages close communication which can lead to further connections and deeper friendships. These  experiences contribute to our creative thinking and exposure to new things helps us to unlock a different side to ourselves. Whether it's learning piano, violin, cello, flute, oboe, singing, drums or guitar there are so many brilliant music teachers out there looking to inspire their pupils and Tutorfair is the best place to find them! Most tutors, by now, are just as fed up of painful exam-cramming as you and your children, and will be only too happy to rediscover the joy of learning. Children thrive from learning in different environments and with different people. So if you can afford some extra help, a music tutor could be just what they need to inject some educational fun into their schedule. Our music teachers include professional performers, members of bands, and composers including: Sabin M - is a vocal coach, piano and guitar tutor for ABRSM and Trinity £28.00 p/h Anna B - is a highly experienced violin and piano tutor £50.00 p/h Calvin H - is a professional gigging drummer and highly experience tutor £40.00 p/h Connor G - is a guitar, music theory and Sibelius tutor who regularly gigs in London £40.00 p/h In fact, one of our top music tutors;  Dorian  G, has recently written a great blog post on why he loves tutoring piano, which you can read  here. Looking for more ways to boost creativity? Here is a link to another one of our handy blogs on 6 ways to boost creativity.

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Job Interview

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Job Interview via Pixabay 1. Show up late The minute you show up late to a job interview is the minute the interviewer will not take you seriously. If you’re on time, you’re late. Try to show up about 10 minutes early to show that you are eager to have this job interview and are excited about the position. This also gives you a chance to sit in a waiting area and to get a little bit of a feel for the environment of the office and how it operates, at least on the surface. via Pixabay 2. Dress inappropriately Dress for success! To show your interviewer that you take the chance to interview for the position seriously, make sure to dress professionally. You are never too overdressed for an interview. Keep it simple, yet add a touch of yourself to the outfit. It can be difficult to decide what is business professional and what is business casual and it doesn’t help that there are different expectations for both men and women. So make sure to do some research before going to your interview. via Pixabay 3. Sit before being offered a seat Keep in mind that you are a guest in your interviewer’s office. Never be presumptuous and sit down before being offered a seat during a job interview. You don’t know if this is the room you will be staying in, if there are other people coming in to interview you, or if your interviewer has a specific preference on where they like to sit. This is a common mistake interviewees make, so keep it in mind! via Pixabay 4. Avoid eye contact It’s understandable that you may be nervous or intimidated during a job interview, but that doesn’t mean you can avoid making eye contact with your interviewer. Though it may just be nerves, the interviewer may take it as you have something to hide or you are untrustworthy. It can be difficult to control your body language, especially if you are trying to convey something different than what you are feeling. Take a few deep breaths and relax. It’ll make it much easier to keep eye contact. 5. Give one-word answers Come prepared with what you may say during your job interview. Your interviewer is asking questions to get to know you and your experiences better, so if you give just one-word answers, they will not come away with a good feel for you as a person or worker. Before your interview, think of some stories and relevant experiences you can talk about that pertain to the position and its responsibilities. If you’re feeling nervous, practice telling a friend these stories and answers. via Pixabay 6. Give too many details You may be one of those people who doesn’t get nervous for a job interview and is completely comfortable with talking about themselves. If this is the case, be careful not to give too many irrelevant details. Remember, this is a job interview, not a coffee date. Keep your stories and answers concise and to the point without embellishing or giving too much personal opinion. 7. Brag about yourself It’s a fine line between talking about yourself and bragging about yourself. You don’t want to seem arrogant while recalling specific experiences or act like the company needs you more than you need them. It’s important to realize that you are confident that you can do well in this position, but that you still have a lot to learn about the industry and the company. 8. Use your phone If you receive a call or a text during a job interview, ignore it. Do not pull your phone out in the middle of your interview and answer it. All of your attention should be on the job interview and the interviewer. Before entering the building of your interview, it is best to put your phone either on silent or airplane mode and keep it in your pocket or handbag until after your interview. via Pixabay 9. Not shaking hands It’s a common courtesy to shake your interviewer’s hand at the beginning of the interview and at the end. It shows that you are polite and know the etiquette required when attending a job interview. It should happen naturally. If your interviewer doesn’t reach out their hand, make sure you offer yours. via Pixabay 10. Not sending a “thank you” note After an interview, it’s important to make sure you send a “thank you” note or email no more than a day after. Keep in mind that the interviewer is probably very busy and interviewing you is not the most important thing they need to do that day. Sending a note is polite and shows that you are considerate of the time they spent meeting with you. It will definitely put you ahead of other candidates if they do not send one.