The following article is the second in a five part series. Last month we discussed Step One: Setting Your Goals, which helped you define your objectives in finding a new job, whether that position be a temporary assignment or a permanent job. To read this first article, visit NRI’s website at www.nri-staffing.com and click on the Candidate Tools button. Written by Amy Lindgren, it was taken from CareerPath.com. Next month will be Step Four: Targeting Companies.
From your research you will know which skills employers value most in your target job area. Do you have those skills? In not, you have three choices:
- Negotiate a compromise with the employer
- Get the skills
- Choose another goal
| NOTABLE QUOTABLE Are you planning for your financial future? Women still earn only about 76% of what men earn. Lower salaries translate into lower pension benefits, ie, smaller Social Security checks. In fact, as of Dec. 1997, the average monthly Social Security benefit paid to women was $629 per month — 25% lower than the average benefit received by men. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Negotiate a Compromise
Examples of compromise include:
- Starting at a lower wage until you know the job
- Taking evening classes while you’re working
- Starting in a lower position and working your way up
- Starting part time and advancing to full-time
- Changing the job to remove the things you can’t do
These are options to explore in your informational interviews. (Example: “Do you think an employer would ever take on an apprentice?”) If the compromise seems possible, go ahead and try for the jobs. Then propose your compromise in the job interview.
Get the Skills
If you’re serious about the field, and the skills you lack are important, you’ll want to get training. Some of your options include:
- Formal Training: a certificate or degree program at a local school.
- Customized Training: a special
mix of classes you design with
your school advisor to fill the
gaps in your experience. Not
only are there a number of
colleges, universities and
community colleges that offer
classes, but often you can find
specialized training through
private training companies.
- On the Job Training: an
agreement with the employer
to train you while you work.
- Internship: an agreement with
the employer to teach you
specific tasks for a certain
length of time. There is usually
little or no pay, and no promise
of employment. These are
often arranged through a
school, although you can also
arrange your own. Several
resource books can be found
at bookstores or libraries on
available internships for 2000.
- Association Meetings: Do you
want to learn to make sales
presentations? Join a sales
club. Are you interested in
accounting? An accounting
club will host speakers to teach
members about the field.
These meeting are less formal
than a class, but you pick up
tips from the experts- people
who hold jobs like the one you
want. The Washington area is
often headquarters for
associations. Check out the
yellow pages or the internet for
associations of interest to you.
- Seminars, Conferences, Short Classes: Often offered by professional associations and community centers. These classes vary in quality and length. Often they are the only choice for training in a new or changing field.
In June, all eligible temporary employees will receive a letter introducing them to NRI’s 401(k) Plan. To be eligible to participate you must:
- Have been an NRI employee for a year.
- Have worked 1,000 hours.
- Be over the age of 21.
Even if you’re not eligible this go around, this is a great incentive to stay with NRI! Our enrollment periods are in June and December.
What is a 401(k)? A 401(k) is an investment and savings plan that enables you to set aside part of your gross, pre-tax salary for retirement. Your contributions are taken pre-tax, reducing your taxable salary. Meanwhile, both the contributions and earnings can grow without being taxed, until they’re withdrawn.
How do you participate? After signing up, you let us know how much you would like deducted from your earnings, from 2% to 10%. That percentage will be taken out of each paycheck and deposited into your 401(k) account. You decide which plans you want to invest in and what percentage you wish to apply to the seven available plans. Further details about the plans are provided when you enroll.
Who is keeping track of your money? All of your money and the funds are administered by Salomon Smith Barney. Established in 1873, Salomon Smith Barney has emerged as one of America’s leading investment firms. They manage $44 billion of retirement plan assets. You will receive statements from Salomon Smith Barney on a quarterly basis, giving you a total of your account and an overview of the status of each fund.
What’s the best news of all? NRI will match your contribution by 10%! For every dollar you put into your 401(k) account, NRI puts in an additional 10%! That means if you add $100 to your account, NRI will also add $10; it’s like free money!
The chart below shows you the potentially great benefits of participating in a 401(k) plan. The earlier you plan, the better. We hope to see you participating soon!
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Shows your retirement account balance if you begin investing 2% of a $26,000 salary and increase your contribution by 1% each year until your contribution reaches 10% of your salary. These numbers reflect an 8% average annual return, which is hypothetical and used for illustration purposes only. Created by the Financial Literacy Center. |
- NRI Accounting Resources®
- Specializing in Accounting and Financial Positions
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- Phone: (301) 230-0440, Fax: (301) 770-6125,
- email: accountingmd@nri-staffing.com
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- email: baltimore@nri-staffing.com
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- email: healthcareva@nri-staffing.com
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- Phone: (202) 628-3022, Fax: (202) 628-2838,
- email: legaldc@nri-staffing.com
- 1302 Concourse Drive, Suite 2-3, Linthicum, MD 21090
- Phone: (410) 850-4035, Fax: (410) 850-5263,
- email: baltimore@nri-staffing.com
- Phone: (202) 628-3022, Fax: (202) 628-2838,
- NRI Staffing Resources®
- Specializing in Office Support and Administrative Positions
- 11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 820, Rockville, MD 20852
- Phone: (301) 230-0400, Fax: (301) 770-3198,
- email: staffingmd@nri-staffing.com
- 1302 Concourse Drive, Suite 2-3, Linthicum, MD 21090
- Phone: (410) 850-4035, Fax: (410) 850-5263,
- email: baltimore@nri-staffing.com
- 1899 L Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
- Phone: (202) 466-4670, Fax: (202) 466-6593,
- email: staffingdc@nri-staffing.com
- 7617 Little River Turnpike, Suite 603, Annandale, VA 22003
- Phone: (703) 658-1705, Fax: (703) 658-1493,
- email: annandale@nri-staffing.com
- 10780-90 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 140, Reston, VA 22191
- Phone: (703) 391-8000, Fax: (703) 391-9091,
- email: reston@nri-staffing.com
- Phone: (301) 230-0400, Fax: (301) 770-3198,
- NRI Technology Solutions®
- Specializing in IT and Technical Engineering Professionals
- 1899 L Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
- Phone: (202) 466-4670, Fax: (202) 466-6593,
- email: staffingdc@nri-staffing.com
- 10780-90 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 140, Reston, VA 22191
- Phone: (703) 391-8000, Fax: (703) 391-9091,
- email: technology@nri-staffing.com
- 1302 Concourse Drive, Suite 2-3, Linthicum, MD 21090
- Phone: (410) 850-4035, Fax: (410) 850-5263,
- email: baltimore@nri-staffing.com
- Phone: (202) 466-4670, Fax: (202) 466-6593,