Dear Coach, Is it OK for employees to ask for the salary range for their current position? Will the company tell you?
Carol Kleiman: It’s an important question to ask–and if the company refuses to answer, I’d be very suspicious that employees may be underpaid.
Dear Coach, I’m a single mother of three teens, work full-time as a manager and am considering going part-time to school for an MBA. Since I’m 50 years old, I wonder if it’s worthwhile to pursue a degree. I think my company will pay for it.
CK: It’s important to keep improving and growing and learning–and an MBA sounds like a perfect way for you to do it. The additional management skills might also help you survive having three teens at once, as I did.
More Top Picks Signs Of Sleep Apnea
Dear Coach, I’ve been waiting months for my manager to give me my performance review–to which my salary increase is tied. I can’t get a raise unless I first show satisfactory performance, so I’m very anxious to have this review. Is it OK to remind her?
CK: Yes, it is. Ask as quickly– and as professionally–as possible.
Dear Coach, I am writing to you out of frustration. I have had three good job interviews–one was even great–but have never heard back. Is it not proper to reply, one way or the other? I have interviewed and hired many people over the past 20 years and always returned calls and notified candidates of my decision. Has business passed me by, and the “in” thing is not to respond? I’m tempted to send a “nasty gram” telling them what I think of them.
CK: Employers can be heartless in this matter, as you now know. You will just have to keep trying to get an answer. And absolutely do not send a “nasty gram.” It will only work against you. There is no way you can get even for their rudeness, so don’t even try.
COACH CAROL’S 15-SECOND DRILL: Carefully hone your speaking and writing skills. They really matter. How well you communicate helps determine how quickly you will move ahead.
———-
Carol Kleiman’s columns also appear in Tuesday’s and Thursday’s Business sections. Watch her “Career Coach” segments on CLTV.