As the year is coming to an end, many corporate companies are buzzing with the word 'appraisal'. With major organizations and e-commerce firms reshuffling their employee structure to raise competency or opting for cost-cutting amidst a bleak job scenario, the much-awaited hike is looming in the dark. Although every company has its own criteria to evaluate employee performance and prepare an appraisal list, the basic fundamentals to determine this remain almost the same. Also, it is the time of the year when your colleagues or peers are considering changing jobs to try their luck for a bigger package. With so many things happening around, the mind is bound to go fuzzy with questions like 'What is the current industry value for my position?,' 'What are my future goals?' or 'Do I need to stick to current workplace or make a switch?.' Decluttering all these thoughts and seeking chance to prove your worth with an open mind can assist in securing a fair hike without job hopping this year. Here are ways in which you can become a prolific and important employee as well as get a raise in the current organization.

Steps That Could Secure a Good Salary Hike

5 Steps for a "Good Salary" hike are :

1. File your achievements :

Before you fix that appointment to discuss your impending hike with the boss, gather facts and figures. In this way, you will have strong reasons to prove that why you are worth of a hike in salary, and it also reflects your enthusiasm for the company's future. Maintaining a record of significant accomplishments avoids recency bias and the boss cannot refute hardwork you have put in to get those impressive results. You are trying to make an impact with the whole entity, so do your homework well.

2. Go beyond the KRAs :

Sticking to work ethics and concentrating only on tasks assigned to you could be a major reason for your pending pay hike. If you are a team player and the 'go-to' person amongst colleagues from different departments for the most trivial problems, it could be the deciding trait between a good and an average increment. Having attributes like flexibility, multi-tasking attitude and ability to become the right hand of your boss, he or she would definitely become dependable on such a trusted employee and would not want the person to leave the organization at any cost. If you are a reliable and trustworthy person, rests assured you will get your worth.

3. Become a solution finder :

While workplace challenges are normal and the client demands can be absurd, no boss would appreciate an employee who only talks about problems and impossibilities. If an employee is constantly making mistakes or demotivating others to find a solution, the boss wouldn't hesitate to show him/her the door. Imagining out of the box and thinking new solutions will make you a commendable employee and get you in the forefront for a salary hike. Employees with problem solving skills always have a favorable position in boss's mind.

4. Be in good books of the boss :

Staying committed to work and being punctual are small things but are definitely noticed. If you have been a consistent and an exceptional performer, but receive no particular comment from boss, chances are you are lacking in efforts. Determine where you are lagging and what is being expected. Understand your bonding with the boss and try to build a good rapport. You need not become a complete flatterer just to impress, but being on good terms with boss can go a long way in getting a promotion.

5. Assess and reinvent your skills :

Taking efforts to track your productivity levels not only helps the boss to understand the quality of efforts you are putting in but also assists to grow professionally. Constantly upgrading your skills and keeping abreast of the latest developments in your field will give you an upper hand over others and the company will take the right steps to retain you.

Employers keep an eye on employees who are investing time in their career by doing professional certifications without organizational support. Give hints to boss that you are ready to take new challenges. Know the rationale process and the percentage salary hike given in your office before setting up an appointment with the boss.

Interview preparation often involves building a strong resume, preparing for common interview questions, a thorough study of the company and its policies, etc. While all of these parameters play a critical role, there are some other factors such as  'positive body language' that has got a significant role to play since the things that you say in an interview only partially elicit your thoughts. How you carried yourself out during the interview will also have a say in your selection. So it is important that candidates discern its importance and develop it into a habit.

Body Language Disasters Job Seekers Make During an Interview

5 Body Language Disasters Job Seekers Make During an Interview are :

1. No eye contact: 

Maintaining eye contact with the interviewers is critical. Most of the candidates don't take it seriously and make the mistake of not maintaining the eye contact. The reason why it is important is that maintaining eye contact is an effective way of showing interest to what the person in front of you is saying, and is certainly a good way of addressing what you say to the concerned person. So not following the protocol might give the person an intuitive feeling that either you are disinterested in having the conversation, or you lack the right etiquette. Therefore, in an interview, it can be disastrous for a candidate, and hence, they must acknowledge its importance and develop the habit of maintaining eye contact even while having causal conversations with friends or family members.

2. Appearing fidgety: 

Being nervous before or during the interview is natural but make sure that you don't succumb to the nervousness because you won't be able to perform well. Appearing anxious can trigger actions such as fiddling with fingers, biting nails, slouching in the chair, etc. fiddling with the fingers is an indication that you are bored by the conversation, biting nails imply that you are extremely nervous and not having a proper posture while sitting in front of the recruiters fails to create a positive impression. All these actions can put you in jeopardy as it implies that you need self-soothing and do not have control over your actions, thus sending a negative message to the recruiters.

3. Excessive gestures: 

Most of the time we tend to use hand gestures while talking, or in some cases, we observe people performing moves during the conversation. While it can be helpful in certain situation but excessive use of those gestures can be detrimental as it indicates that you don't have proper control over your thoughts as well as actions. So it is important that you avoid doing them by starting to observe great speakers and their body language when they meet other people.

4. Not smiling: 

A smile brings warmth and fills the entire environment with positive energy. It puts the job seeker and the interviewer at ease in a tensed atmosphere. It is also observed that when the interviewers are met with a smile, it makes them feel happier and encourages them to reciprocate the smile and is viewed as a sign of confidence. Smiling also encourages the recruiters to know you better and failing to keep a smile on your face might  portray you as a grim and distant personality, and they will be less inclined to know you or the candidate in front of them. However, a smile must be natural, timely and appropriate. So it is important that you greet the recruiters with a smile as soon as you enter the room.

5. Sounding weird:

Now this might not classify as a body language but still most of the candidates appearing in front of the interview panel often have the habit of stammering or making a 'thinking sound' , something like ' ummm..' every time they find themselves in a state of confusion. It is important that candidates must understand the recruiters don't appreciate this at all and in fact, is something very annoying to hear. It also indicates your lack of confidence and inability to think vividly. So it is advisable to accept your lack of knowledge or understanding if you are not able to answer instead of making that poker face or a bizarre sound.

Succeeding in an interview requires a candidate to walk the extra mile while preparing for it. Nowadays, the abundance in the number of applicants has made the recruiters finicky while choosing the right one. Therefore, recruiters keenly observe the candidates based on hard as well as the soft skills. Hence, in order to pass the litmus test of the recruiters it is necessary that job applicants equip themselves with the right tools and adopt a progressive attitude.

With transparency at workplace being the buzzword for the past few years, there is a change in corporate culture. As Gen Z is stepping out and taking over new responsibilities, the need for firm leadership has never been felt so vigorously as before. When the topic of transparency arrives, it could include multiple issues like pay, internal or external affairs. Whether it is right to disclose employee salaries, could be a topic of discussion. Today's employees search for role models in their boss who they could look up to. They definitely don't want a bossy leader who does nothing apart from bombarding instructions without giving details about what profit or loss the company's newly launched product has made, or the one who ignores employees' opinion when the company is planning to change its internal working structure. No transparency not only affects the morale of employees, but also becomes detrimental to company's growth. Here is what happens when the workplace is devoid of any transparency.

Cons of No Transparency Between Boss and Employees

1. Frequent job hopping by employees :

Work environment that does not encourage transparency makes employees lose their trust in boss and  the firm forcing the core team or star performers to resign. On the other hand, when the boss bridges the gap, senior employees counsel new recruits on the way things function so that they don't go job hopping, which mostly occurs as the newbies are yet to get a taste of the working style.

2. Productivity takes a hit :

Transparency can be said to be a powerful glue which boosts credibility of employees and motivates them to work with less friction. In absence of it, employees find it difficult to solve problems as the very confidence to take risks or make sound decisions is lost. As a result, the projects can get delayed and also miss the critical deadlines, which again can ultimately affect the relationship with clients.

3. Hampers growth and declines performance :

The percentage of what and how much to disclose lies with the boss. Even popular companies like Apple, and Facebook do not disclose complete information to all the departments. But withholding valuable information or not giving out the details until it becomes a need-to-know can raise questions about the motive of the firm and also affect its sustainability in the long term.

4. Business Loss :

When the boss feels anxious and takes a decision on the go without confronting the team, it could seriously affect the turnover of the firm, and in the worst case, the company might be auctioned. Reduced clarity leads to low communication, which in turn, decreases an employee's ability to think clearly and come up with out-of-the-box solutions for business problems. Not only this, it also decreases the agility of the team and impacts response to issues as the employees avoid speaking possible solutions out of fear of reaction.

5. Endangers reputation of the company :

A bad experience at the company is often shared among friends from another workplace or over the coffee table. With employees putting up company reviews on popular sites like Glassdoor, the work culture of a company is now readily available on the internet. When a person hears about a toxic environment of a firm or about the boss who is famous for being dark, he/she would definitely think twice before applying at it and even give out a word of caution to others.

Embracing transparency just because a company wants powerful results is like looking for quick solutions for an acute problem. A growing revenue is a vital factor for an organization's sustainability. When the chief executive of a company is honest and clear, he or she inspires  employees to give their best and get the much-needed support for success.

Competition in the job market is at its peak and employers are constantly in the search of candidates that have additional skills and something extra to offer. So interning abroad can be helpful as it also imparts additional skills, and having that experience under your belt would certainly boost your career. During the internship, you will be challenged in numerous ways, and surmounting those challenges would pay-off very well.

Reasons to Opt for International Internships

Employers these days realize the importance of inter-cultural communication as they are open to hire  people from different parts of the world. So having an international internship will be a feather in your cap. It is also an indication for your future recruiters that you have that potential of leaving all the comforts aside and push yourself to a next level.

1. Gaining experience :

Interning abroad can give you a solid experience about the work culture and help in learning a lot of new things about your work and from your colleagues. The benefits of working overseas is that it can change your entire perspective of looking at things and can enhance your learning and thinking ability while working in a completely novel environment. So gaining experience will be beneficial for you in terms of learning and also help you in your future endeavors.

2. Improving your work-profile :

Having a strong work-profile is essential in today's competitive job market. A good profile is that asset whose value appreciates with the passage of time as it benefits you throughout your whole career. Mentioning of an overseas internship on your resume can help your resume stand out from the herd. Moreover, it also indicates that you are a willing to learn and able to work.

3. Opening up opportunities to work abroad :

Nations have started opening up borders with liberal policies for students willing to pursue education and for individuals willing to work in a foreign country. With new opportunities, people are willing to migrate from their native country in search of a job. But for them to be successful in their quest it is necessary that they follow the right path and approach the right people. So, interning in the country where you wish to work can be beneficial for you to get in touch with right people who can guide you through the process of finding a job. On the other hand, if a person is not familiar with the work culture and doesn't have the right guidance it can be difficult for him to find a job in his dream country. So an overseas internship can be a stepping stone in landing a job in a remote country.

4. Creating an international network :

Building a strong international network is possible with help of internships abroad. During the internships, you can make connections with your host employer, interns from different part of the world, and other people from the same industry. The benefits of having a strong network are enormous as it helps you to nurture qualities that you learn from the people and it also exposes you to different perspectives and ways of thinking. Furthermore, a good professional network can help you in finding opportunities across the globe.

5. Living abroad makes you smart :

TIME magazine report suggests that people having experience of staying in other countries makes them more independent, creative, and smart. In a psychological study by a Singapore based management university which studied the psychological effects of staying abroad, concluded that people experiencing different cultures are good at generating creative ideas. So, such an exposure not only helps you in gaining skills related to your field, but also contributes in your overall development.

6. It can help you in stepping out of your comfort zone :

We are often hesitant in unshackling ourselves from the comfort zone, and have developed habits that limit social interaction. But in doing so, most of us miss opportunities that can help in molding our personality. Furthermore, working in a professional setting requires you to step out of your comfort zone and work in a team. As interning abroad provides ample opportunities give up your comfort zone and helps you to be socially adept, pursuing an internship abroad can help you in the long-run.

7. Helps you to learn a new language :

Staying abroad will certainly require you to interact with the local people. So it can be a good opportunity for you to befriend the native people from that country who can help you in learning their dialect. Also in some countries interacting with the local people is not possible if you don't understand their language. Therefore, in such cases most of the organizations mandate you to learn the local language. So all in all it is a plus as you get to learn a new language and knowing additional languages also make your C.V. Stand out from the rest.

An oversees internship can be the silver bullet for you as it strengthens your work-profile and contributes significantly in your all round development. So, given the benefits of having an oversees fellowship, pursuing it can be a good choice and will certainly be helpful in catapulting your career.

Job-seekers may have a hard time searching jobs given the paucity of it and increasing competition. Recruiters these days usually look for candidates who have a good profile. But it is not the only criteria of selection, and a lot of other factors do play a part in the given process. Job-seekers have to be proactive in searching the right job and must adhere to a proper approach, with well drafted resumes, and having contacts with the right people has become equally important as it can garner you necessary information about the organization and help you in landing a job. But in doing so, it is necessary that you develop and maintain good contacts by tapping into all the mediums online as well as offline.

Social Media Can Increase Your Chances To Get Hired

1. Staying connected :

One of the most significant benefits that social media offers is 'connectivity'. It can help us to stay connected with people right from the school, high school, and college. Initially, these mediums were limited and hence maintaining contacts with everyone was not possible back then. So, being able to connect with your friends and alumni group is always a boon as it enables you to seek assistance in landing a job. And in case of a huge network of friends, it also provides options to create groups.

2. Developing professional connections :

Finding the right jobs is much easier with the help of social media. Reports by few of the leading media agencies suggest that traditional methods for searching jobs do not yield good results and the most efficient way of doing it is by developing and maintaining good contacts as it increases your chance of getting hired. As social media is an effective tool in doing so, you won't be going through the drudgery of searching a job as all the essential information can be availed by tapping your professional  network. In addition to that, there are platforms that can give you direct access to people belonging to different fraternities. So developing contacts with people you are unfamiliar with is simple, all you need is to register on any of the professional networks and get going. One of the most widely used networks is 'LinkedIn' which has millions of registered professionals and job-seekers. With LinkedIn, it is possible to connect and collaborate with people from professions across various corners of the world. Such platforms give them free access to many professionals who offer services on selecting career, career development and job search. So  these professional networks have opened new avenues for job-seekers and for people looking to catapult their career. So developing and maintaining new contacts can be beneficial as they can introduce you to people who work at companies you are interested in.

3. Personal branding :

We live in a world today where every thing that is sold in the market is advertised. So given the scale at which things are branded and marketed, marketing has developed into a full-fledged industry. Even people in the entertainment industry hire agencies that help them in building their own brand and assist them crafting their image. So given the importance of branding and its success, job-seekers must not take a backseat when it comes to personal branding and exploring ways in which they can market themselves and build their own brand. To start with, you can create your own website where the recruiters can have direct access to your profile and previous works. Having a website appears to be professional and building one doesn't take a huge effort. Other than that you can create a professional page on different platforms or maintain a blog.

4. Creating awareness :

Social media can be a good source of information, provided you use the right platform. Information on the recent developments in your industry and information on job openings can be easily obtained via social media. As there are millions of users worldwide, access to information across the globe is just a click away.

5. Seeking help :

Social media can be a good tool to seek help from individuals or your counterparts. There are Q&A platforms of professionals where queries regarding jobs and careers are answered by the people. It also provides you the avenue to seek professional advice from the experts who offer their services across such networks.

Social media is an effective tool that can be used by job-seekers. There are various networks where they can register and explore opportunities. Most studies as well as anecdotal evidence points out that being socially active and maintaining good contacts is beneficial for job-hunters and provides them an edge over individuals who do not follow that approach.

Career and career development are the most widely discussed and debated topics. People in the middle of their careers experience a blip as they find themselves in a maze where they are unaware of the direction in which their careers are heading. But every individual aspires his/her career to be progressive and certainly desires to achieve new heights. But due to lack of proper plan and management, most of them fail to achieve the said goals and all their plans remain fantasies instead of transpiring into realty. Therefore, it is critical to take necessary steps that can boost your career and help in the long-run.

Expand Your Network and Create Opportunities

1. Read: Reading is to the mind what food is to the body. When it comes to boosting career, reading can be an effective tool. It can help you in learning about the recent developments in your profession. Apart from that, reading articles on career development can get you good insights about the profession and various ways in which you can successfully evolve in your career. Besides, reading also helps in developing writing skills. It increases your exposure to words, and with that it can help you write exquisitely. In addition to that, it helps in enhancing your analytical skills as reading involves noting all the details in the given context and can certainly moot your response or point of view to the various nuances that you come across. Most of the individuals do not realize its potential, or have the habit of reading thereby suffering the consequences in their careers. So it is important to read different stuff that can help in enhancing knowledge related to your profession.

2. Invest in right relationships: Nurture the relationships that matter the most and give them proper time and always be available for them. Investing time in maintaining such relationships must not be viewed as a liability because the same people can turn out to be assets for you and your development. So identify your circle, places where they operate and figure out how they can provide you assistance in achieving the goals. Also invest in how to develop right networking methods.

3. Be socially active: Socializing is important in the professional sphere. In order to grow in a career, it is important to learn for which it is essential to give up “I- know-it- all” attitude, and start developing good relations with your colleagues. Developing connections with people can help you in unimaginable ways. They cannot only provide information, but also assist you in overcoming obstacles in your professional life. People can also be a good source of learning, So being around them and having extracurricular activities enables you to learn new things. Also attend social gatherings, seminars, and conferences where you get to know new people, their point of views, and a plethora of information that can be vital.

4. Actively participate on the social media: Using social media can be a boon as it enables you to be virtually connected with people across the world. It not only help you to be in touch with your friends and colleagues, but also to develop new contacts. Not only that, it can be a great learning and sharing experience as information can be exchanged at an enormous pace. With the development of professional networks such as LinkedIn, it is possible for people to connect and collaborate with people from their fraternity across various corners of the world. Such platforms give them free access to many professionals who offer services on selecting career and development. So  these professional networks have opened new avenues for job seekers looking to catapult their career.

5. Invest in a career coach: Staying focused and managing your time while working can be difficult. You might lose focus and momentum in achieving your career goals. So a mismanaged career can be detrimental in your quest for achieving success in your career. Hence, investing in a career coach can be a good option to boost your career as you will have a personal assistance who can provide you with tools and opportunities to stay focused in achieving your goals. The coach will also guide on drafting effective resume to get an interview call.

Developing your career is not an easy task and is time-consuming. You can't expect a turnaround with a wave of a magic wand. It requires the right plan and a pro-active approach along with a high level of dedication and discipline. Furthermore, it needs developing and maintaining strong networks, investing in improving yourself and capitalizing on opportunities. Professionals usually fail to achieve that feat in their careers as they lack in implementing requisite steps during the tenure of their work. So by adhering to the tips mentioned above you can successfully develop and expand your network in order to achieve the goal of career growth.

Big Career Goal Steps That Will Get You Closer Today

Here are five steps that will inch you closer towards your career goals.

1. Assess yourself on tough questions :

2. Plans your goals :

3. Create a realistic career road map :

4. Strive for excellence :

5. Have a success mantra :