10 Smart Ways to Improve Your Chances for a Raise

All across America, it is performance review time — the annual ritual of nervousness and wincing when everyone from interns to executives gears up to receive critical feedback about their work. In addition to the evaluation of performance and success, this is the time when managers and HR pros decide on bonuses, promotions, and raises.

While employees probably cannot turn the tide of a poor performance streak, there are behaviors you can practice that will improve your chances for a raise this review cycle or next. For insight, we turned to Joel Garfinkle, executive coach and author of Get Paid What You’re Worth. “Your manager will most likely never come to you and simply give you a raise. You need to ask for the pay increase. Don’t be afraid to ask for the raise,” Garfinkle says.

Here he weighs in on the ten simple ways to show your boss you’re ready for a raise.

1. Practice good communication early and often.

“Great communication skills are critical in every aspect of your career. Whether it’s communicating with your superiors, fellow team members or those you’re directing, effective and efficient communication will help ensure you’re seen as a valuable asset.”

2. Show your ability to motivate and inspire those you work with.

“Being seen as a great team motivator is typically key to moving up any company’s organizational chart. Great leaders don’t tell people what to do, they inspire them to do their best.”

3. Consistently push the boundaries of what’s possible.

While you may not be able to invent the next big app or revolutionize your industry, showing that you are proactively thinking about business solutions and ways to innovate will make all the difference come review time.

“Whether you’re developing innovations within your industry, your company, or just within your specific job duties, showing that you can think outside the box to help take your organization to the next level is going to really make a good impression on those who’ll be determining the fate of your promotion.”

4. Think about what contributes to the bottom line.

“Hard work is always a great start to securing that raise, but definitely not all that it takes. Your value as an employee, which is determined in both qualitative and quantitative measures, are areas your manager can put a number to and are often easier to use as leverage when talking about a raise. Remember, improving a business’s bottom line is a primary goal of for-profit businesses. For this reason, if an employee consistently is contributing effectively and efficiently to this goal, it’s going to be more likely these efforts will develop into a raise.”

5. Be mindful of timing.

Timing is important for these two reasons:

“The timing of the company’s fiscal health and future plans. How is the company doing, financially? Are they in a position where they can afford to give you a raise? What are their development plans and how important is the work you are doing to the success of those plans? This can increase your value significantly if they feel like they ‘can’t afford to lose you.’”

“Secondly, the timing of your supervisor. Where your supervisor is on that oscillation of employee worth can affect whether or not he or she can get your raise approved. Even the mood they are in (both due to personal and professional reasons) can impact your effectiveness on negotiating a raise. ”

6. Get buy-in from your colleagues and mentors.

“Endorsements and recommendations can be the deciding factor when it comes to getting a raise. When your peers or supervisors praise your work, definitely keep track of that as supporting material for the raise discussion.”

7. Be a risk taker.

“In order to negotiate, you must be willing to take the risks to ask for what you want. Your fearless and courageous attitude will help you take the necessary risks to get the upper hand.”

8. Be confident in yourself and your own self-worth.

“The #1 reason most people get less in a negotiation is due to lack of self-worth. People under-earn because they undervalue themselves. Be confident in yourself so you can believe that you deserve the amount you are asking for.”

9. Have the right amount of patience.

“Most concessions occur at, or even past, the deadline. Be patient in order to get your desired amount. You will be tempted to give in and accept the offer, but this is where the real negotiation begins. The more patient you are throughout the process, the greater your chances are for getting what you want.”

10. Stay ready.

“Employees should never wait for their periodic review to discuss their raise and/or promotion aspirations. Instead, they should be having these conversations with their superiors throughout the year. Oftentimes, raises require budgetary changes, and this means that it needs to be planned and budgeted for by your supervisor. Letting your supervisor know of your desires also allows them to give you more responsibility so you can take on opportunities to earn that raise. When you do take on additional responsibilities and are successful, definitely keep track of these accomplishments so you can use it as supporting evidence for your raise request.”

A version of this post originally appeared on Glassdoor’s blog.

This Is How to Put Positive Spin on Weaknesses in a Job Interview

No job candidate is perfect. Everyone has their flaws. Fortunately, employers aren’t looking for perfect people, just the right people.

Honesty is always the best policy during a job interview, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your weaknesses on display. Whether it’s your resume or your personal challenges that might raise red flags with a hiring manager, addressing your weaknesses and framing them in a positive way can help you avoid making excuses or sounding defensive.

Resume Weaknesses

Even if your resume is a little less than ideal, you can put a positive spin on some of the most common trouble spots employers are likely to question.

When you don’t have much experience

Lack of experience sets up a frustrating paradox—employers want to hire people with experience, but in order to gain that experience, you have to find an employer who’ll give a person without any a chance. What to do?

Remember that everybody starts somewhere, and hiring managers interview inexperienced candidates all the time. When you’re still growing in your career, there’s one positive quality you can emphasize to help you win over a potential employer—enthusiasm for learning. Show the employer that not only are you able to learn, but you’re excited by the possibilities.

RELATED: 4 Must-see Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

It’s not enough to say that you pick things up quickly, however. Everyone says that. Emphasize real-life examples of your ability to learn and adapt. If you’ve made a point to take extra classes, earn certifications, or even pursue new and interesting hobbies for the love of learning new things, take a moment to point them out. Ditto if you’re making a career change and you can point out skills from your previous job that show you’re quick on your feet.

Demonstrating that you’re a good cultural fit is also important. Skills can be trained, but finding the right personality match is much trickier for employers. Even the most qualified candidate isn’t likely to work out if she doesn’t fit in with the company’s overall vibe. If you’ve done your homework, you’ll have a good sense of the ideals the company embodies. Drawing attention to how well you’ll fit in can take the spotlight off your lack of experience.

When you have gaps in your employment

Don’t kid yourself—hiring managers are going to notice those gaps on your resume, so you’ll need to address them.

Although honesty is the best policy, there are ways to turn things around so they don’t look so troublesome. If you struggled to find a new position after a layoff, for instance, you could say that you took your time trying to ensure that your next employer was a good fit. If you took a break to raise small children, care for a family member, or even broaden your horizons by traveling, don’t be afraid to say so. You’ll come off as more genuine and sympathetic than you would if you tried to sweep those things under the rug.

If you’re able to show that you did productive things with your downtime, such as taking classes or doing volunteer work, make sure you note them. It’s important to demonstrate that your resume gap was a period of personal and professional growth and not just a time when you allowed yourself to sleep in late and binge-watch Netflix in your pajamas all day.

When you’ve hopped from job to job

In a Robert Half survey, HR managers said that having more than five jobs over a ten-year period is just too much job hopping. If you’ve made frequent job changes, be prepared to explain them.

Although moving between jobs every few years is more common these days, especially among younger workers, too many job hops in a short span of time can raise red flags. Are you never satisfied? Difficult to work with? Do you lack follow-through and commitment? The hiring manager will wonder, and it’s your responsibility to enlighten him.

Hiring managers are looking for reassurance that the company won’t go through the expense and effort of onboarding and training you only to have you leave in six months. Start by explaining why you made each career move, and be prepared to tell the hiring manager how it helped you advance your career. Be honest, but keep it positive. (Don’t say “I hated that job”, say “I felt I needed to move on to find a better fit for my skills”.) If you left because the job bored you, say that you were “looking for more of a challenge.”

Rather than getting defensive about your frequent job changes, focus instead on what you learned from each one. Be sure to play up the transferable skills you gained along the way.

Personal Weaknesses

Even if the interview process has revealed a few personal challenges—perhaps through the dreaded “What’s your greatest weakness” interview question—there are ways to spin them as positives.

When you’re a perfectionist

Employers don’t want to hire people who nitpick every little thing and make life difficult. No one wants to work with that person. Instead, say that you’re thorough and you have high standards for yourself and your own work. It’s best to leave the word “perfectionist” out of your interview altogether, even if you identify yourself as one. The Muse explains why.

When you’re quiet or shy

Shyness can be misconstrued as awkwardness or social ineptitude. Hopefully, through your interview, you’ve been able to demonstrate your ability to “people.” But, if you can’t help but let your shyness show, frame it as a “reflective nature.” Explain that you get very focused when you’re at work.

When you take a long time to do things

Sci-fi author Douglas Adams said, “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” Unfortunately, hiring managers aren’t going to view missed deadlines as a positive. If you take a while to accomplish things, don’t lie and sell yourself as someone who’s always prompt. Instead, emphasize your attention to detail and your belief that each task deserves enough time to be done right.

Whatever you do, don’t make excuses for your weaknesses. A job interview isn’t a time to defend yourself, it’s a time to present yourself in a positive way that shows why you’re the best candidate. To get more job offers, make sure to focus on your potential.

What Is the Deal with Fidget Spinner Toys?

It’s a cross between a ninja throwing star and a spinning top. It’s a useful way to enhance focus, and it’s a huge distraction that has no place in the classroom. What the heck is it about this piece of plastic that’s so darn polarizing?

What is a fidget spinner?

A fidget spinner has three prongs (usually), is small enough to fit in your palm, and spins around a weighted disc at the center. It’s made of metal or plastic and can come in all sorts of exciting and playful colors. You can nab them for a few bucks at joints like 7-Eleven or gas stations, or find more pricey ones with specialty features (or rush shipping) online.

As for what it does: aside from spinning, not much.

Why are fidget spinners suddenly a big deal?

Seriously, no one knows. They’ve existed in some form or another for years but suddenly blasted off in popularity a month or so back. In all likelihood, one kid had a fidget spinner to boost concentration, and her or his classmates figured out it was a new opportunity to do tricks and not pay attention in class.

But no one knows the exact origin of the fidget spinner craze. All that is known is that sometime this spring, kids started cajoling, pestering, pleading, and coercing parents into buying them the toys.

The result: toy businesses, gas stations, Amazon, and other companies that sell fidget spinners have found themselves selling out. A toy store owner in Michigan said he sells up to 150 a day, and an online company that sells baubles for under $5 limits spinners to two per customer. For more proof of their popularity, 49 out of the fifty best-selling toys on Amazon are fidget spinners or similar devices.

The fidget spinner craze is just that crazy.

What’s good about fidget spinners?

Fidget spinners are marketed as useful tools for kids with autism and ADHD. In theory, they’re also great for stress.

via GIPHY

Though most don’t come in overhead-fan size, the potential for play and even developing tricks appears to be addictive. According to experts, the talented trickster can balance it on a palm, foot, or nose; stack several to get a spinning tower; or play catch with it (apparently, it’s hard to catch something that comes spinning at you through the air). With kids’ playtime habits increasingly occupied by screens and apps, a toy they can do actual things with is giving some parents a sigh of relief.

On a more serious level, they do appear to have actual benefits for children who struggle with concentration. Carol Povey, director of the Centre for Autism at the U.K.’s National Autistic Society, spoke to the potential value of fidget spinners for children who have difficulty focusing in class:

Having something that spins or twists can help to ground and balance [autistic children]….anecdotally we believe they do work.

They work, that is, for children with diagnosed difficulties staying focused. For kids who will do anything for a distraction, it’s another matter.

What’s bad about fidget spinners?

They’re small and you can do tricks with them. Where’s the controversy in that?

Apparently, in the fact that they’re small and you can do tricks with them. This makes for a tough time for teachers, many of whom have found the noise of spinning to be an increasingly regular soundtrack in recent months, and have to cope with wannabe trick performers busting out the moves every time Teacher’s back is turned.

Dr. Mark Rapport, director of the Children’s Learning Clinic at the University of Central Florida, had a more negative take on the fidget spinner:

Using a spinner-like gadget is more likely to serve as a distraction than a benefit for individuals with ADHD.

At the end of the day, whether the fidget spinner is a boon or a curse depends on the individual using it. But when dozens of individuals are using it during class time, the verdict seems to be that it’s a bit closer to the curse category.

Besides, you have to suspect that when tech folks develop an app to sub in for something you could use like a good old-fashioned toy, it’s probably downhill from there.

Are fidget spinners just for kids?

No. But be careful. They can be addictive.

Adults might be better than children at resisting the temptation to play with spinners instead of paying attention. Still, the motivation for grown-ups isn’t just the distraction; it’s the stress release. Richard Gottlieb, a consultant at Global Toy Experts, says:

People don’t smoke as much, so they have to figure out a way to work out their stress.

Whether an anti-smoking aid, a concentration booster, a debilitating distraction, or a fun new toy to do tricks with, the fidget spinner is here to stay. At least, until the next new fad comes along.

Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous tense, also known as the past progressive tense, refers to a continuing action or state that was happening at some point in the past. The past continuous tense is formed by combining the past tense of to be (i.e., was/were) with the verb’s present participle (-ing word).

There are many situations in which this verb tense might be used in a sentence. For example, it is often used to describe conditions that existed in the past.

The sun was shining every day that summer.

As I spoke, the children were laughing at my cleverness.

It can also be used to describe something that was happening continuously in the past when another action interrupted it.

The audience was applauding until he fell off the stage.

I was making dinner when she arrived.

The past continuous can shed light on what was happening at a precise time in the past.

At 6 o’clock, I was eating dinner.

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It can also refer to a habitual action in the past.

She was talking constantly in class in those days.

One final caution: Though the irregularities are few, not every verb is suited to describing a continuous action. Certain verbs can’t be used in the past continuous tense. One common example is the verb to arrive.

At noon, he was arriving.

At noon, he arrived.

What to Write for Fathers’ Day

Like birthdays, Christmas, and Hanukkah, Father’s Day can be rough. Yes, it is a great opportunity to recognize our fathers (and father figures) for their profound impact in our lives, but it is also a time when many of us feel tongue-tied.

How can we tell dad exactly what he means to us in a simple card or letter? Here are five tips for writing the perfect note to dad in honor of Father’s Day:

Share important memories.

Father’s Day is more than just a reminder that you love your dad. It’s a time to recall the best memories you have with him, a day to really show him that he has made a difference in your life. A powerful way to do this is to recall great memories you have with your dad and write about them. Spend some time to paint a vivid picture of that one great day with dad that you will never forget.

Write from the heart.

Whatever you write, make sure it comes from your heart. That is to say, if you are not the sentimental type but you have a great sense of humor, there is no reason to force deep thoughts on to the page. Hit your dad with your best jokes, the ones that he will really appreciate. On the other hand, if you tend to write flowery prose but you aren’t great at stand-up comedy, don’t try to be overly witty.

When writing the perfect Father’s Day message, the old adage “write what you know” is key to success. Your dad knows your voice and style—he’s probably read your work before. And better yet, he knows and loves you. Stick with what you do, and who you are, and the message will be genuine.

Be honest.

Tell your dad exactly what you really want to say. Don’t be afraid that saying “I love you” is too cliché. Don’t worry that telling your dad, “You’ve always been there for me” is cheesy. Sometimes, keeping it simple and straightforward is the best way to approach a note to dad. If, “Thank you for always being there,” is what you want to say, then say it and say it just like that. You can always expand on this idea later.

Remember that mixed sentiments are not mixed messages.

You can combine different sentiments within the same message. For example, you can mention a touching idea alongside a humorous anecdote. Something like, “Dad, thank you so much for always being there for me…like that one time I ran over an orange cone and we had to use a crowbar to get it out of the wheel well!

For inspiration, here is a list of clever, witty, and touching Father’s Day sentiments.

Say thank you.

Regardless of what else you say in your piece, say thank you to your dad. After all, whether your sentiment is “you have always been there,” “you have given me wisdom,” or “you have always fought for me,” what you really are saying is “thanks for being there,” “thanks for your advice,” or “thanks for fighting for me.” Your father will appreciate being thanked.

Writing the perfect Father’s Day message is a lot harder than it seems. The basic ideas you want to convey, however, are pretty straightforward. And, if you speak from the heart, you’ll rarely go wrong.

What are some of your favorite Father’s Day messages? Share more tips and links in the comments below!

Labeled or Labelled—Which Is Correct?

• Labeled and labelled are both correct spellings.
• Labeled is the preferred spelling in American English.
• Labelled is the preferred spelling in British English.

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How should you spell the past tense of the verb label? After adding the -ed ending, should you double the L? Speakers of American English might answer differently than speakers of British English.

Labeled vs. Labelled

Labeled and labelled are both correct spellings, and they mean the same thing. How you spell the word depends on your audience. If you are writing for American readers, labeled is the preferred spelling. In other places, such as Great Britain and Canada, labelled is a more common spelling than labeled.

Even though the jar was labeled as flour, the children knew it was where their mom hid the candy.

The school labeled the lockers with numbers.

What the janitor labelled bug spray contained a powerful poison.

No one likes to be labelled as a cheater.

Examples

Labeled in North American Publications

As you shop your favorite grocery store, do you lean toward foods that are labeled “natural”?

Michigan State University Extension

“As a concerned citizen and a veteran I am profoundly upset that your administration has labeled the American Flag a ‘disruptive symbol,” Velis wrote.

Mass Live

Labelled in British Publications

A schoolboy has been suspended after a light-hearted video of him rapping was labelled a ‘hate crime’ by teachers.

Daily Mail UK

In February, the Sun, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch, published a story which labelledPrince William “work-shy Wills”, and accused him of “shirking” his royal duties and his job as an air ambulance pilot.

Financial Times

When reading, keep in mind that labeled and labelled are both correct. If you are the writer, choose the most familiar form for your readers. If you have questions about other British vs. American English spellings, you might do some research before deciding which word is right for you. Do you know the difference between realise and realize or check and cheque?