Question: My supervisor describes me as an outstanding performer. However, I haven't gotten a merit raise or promotion for four years, despite a tripling of the accounts I handle. Everyone in my department gets the same 2% raise every year and no promotions. Any suggestions?
-- P.K., Columbia, Mo.
Answer: First, arm yourself with more information about salary ranges and career options, says Patricia Berg, CEO of CPI Professional Edge, Minneapolis, a career-coaching concern. The Web sites www.salary.com, www.payscale.com and www.salaryexpert.com all offer free of charge at least some pay data by occupation. Ms. Berg also suggests asking friends at other companies what raises they've received in the past four years; 3% to 5% has been the prevailing range for employees meeting or exceeding managers' expectations. Also, consider exploring possible promotions in other departments of your company that may offer higher-paying jobs.
If you decide to press your case, "be sure you aren't perceived as threatening to quit," Ms. Berg says; instead, talk positively with your boss or a human-resource manager about your career and salary goals, drawing on the data you've gathered, and ask for help meeting your objectives. If you still hit a wall, consider starting a job search. And don't worry about being misunderstood by prospective employers, Ms. Berg says. If you present yourself in a positive light, they'll see you as taking the initiative to better yourself.
Question: We have three children and are interested in finding flexible, family-friendly employers. Are there lists or government agencies that might help?
-- K.S., Charleston, S.C.
Answer: "Working Mother" magazine each October publishes a competitive national list of family-friendly companies, available at www.workingmother.com. The magazine also recently began compiling a list of flexible smaller employers, also available on the Web site. |
Regionally, many chambers of commerce, newspapers, business weeklies and children's or family advocacy groups hold award competitions for family-friendly companies. An Internet search for "family-friendly employers" in your city or region should yield names. In your state, South Carolina First Steps, a nonprofit children's advocacy group, has sponsored an annual award. Past winners are listed at www.scfirststeps.org/familyfriendly.htm.
Question: Thanks for your coverage of the workplace difficulties encountered by people with ADD or dyslexia. My son, 15, has these impairments. How can we find a career that would suit him?
-- T.B., Greenville, S.C.
Answer: There are no clear categorical matches between particular disabilities and certain jobs. The challenge is to find a job that plays to your son's strengths while avoiding his area of disability, says Dale S. Brown, an author and advocate for people with learning disabilities. "If a person finds something they're good at and enjoy, they'll have the passion and motivation to overcome their disabilities," Ms. Brown says.
Some people with dyslexia have above-average visual-spatial skills and find careers in the arts, computer graphics, architecture or other fields where visualization is a plus, she says. People with ADD may thrive in jobs that are highly stimulating and require multitasking, such as emergency-room physician, entrepreneur or certain sales jobs, Ms. Brown says. Any job that requires filling out forms, however, might derail someone with dyslexia.
Consider setting a consultation with a life coach or ADD coach to explore your son's options. Interview prospective coaches in person to gauge their qualifications, suggests Nancy Ratey, a Wellesley, Mass., life coach. Fees range from about $60 to $300 an hour. Some referrals can be found on www.adhdcoaches.org and www.coachfederation.org. |
