What's their damage?

Negotiating a salary can be scary at first. When you've never done it before, it can feel like you're overstepping a boundary of professionalism before you've even begun your new job. “Hello, person I don't know very well. Can I please have $10,000 more dollars than you want to give me?" In most positions, negotiation is a normal part of the process. Nobody will rescind your offer because you have the gall to ask for a couple thousand more dollars. Well, almost nobody. Before getting a job offe…

Salary negotiation is one of the most challenging parts of getting a new job. It can feel tough to assert yourself and fight for what you're worth, especially when the company is lowballing you. If you can stand your ground for a better salary, it can significantly help your career and your quality of life in the long run. Unfortunately, not all companies are open to negotiating salaries, even from candidates with excellent experience. Still, companies that aren't the most accepting of negotiat…

How not to hire

When I was applying for jobs, I was a bit skeptical of any job that asked me to take a personality test before the interview. I understand wanting to hire somebody with good vibes, but isn't that what multiple rounds of interviews are for? You would think companies might do such a test to understand someone's temperament and working style to ensure they're right for this position. That, unfortunately, is not usually the purpose. Although it's quite a shady practice, many jobs that use “personal…