Effective Communication for Improved Conditions
Again drawing on LifeHacker for advise, there is a great article on Top Ten Tips for Talking Your Way Into a Better Deal, with great recommendations in these trying times.
My favorite five are included below.
- Know the salary you can really get. In most every job, it's up to you to match your experience to the salary of your peers, and to defend these salary requirements. Sites like Glassdoor.com, PayScale, Indeed, and others can help you target this number. It may also be advantageous to aim higher than what you think you'll get, though you must be careful where you are in negotiations. You don't want to lose the position by asking too much.
- Lower your credit card interest rate with junk mail. Compile all those pre-approved, paper-laden envelopes as a way to reducing credit card interest. In this way you can review the offers on your card issuer's site, you arm yourself with a variety of competing and available rates. Also, refer to this step by step guide to lowering your credit card interest rates.
- Ask. Whether it be a request to lower your rates (see above), taking more time off of work, or another check point on your 2009 wish list, sometimes just asking (nicely!!!) can do wonders. Especially now when it is easy for everyone to feel overwhelmed and underappreciated, you may be surprised how easy it is to hear yes when the other person can actually provide you with what you've asked.
- Keep quiet. When simply asking isn't enough, keeping quiet can speak volumes. A strategic silence forces your foe to respond. Moreover, silence can keep the calm.
- Buy at the right time. Buy airline tickets on a Wednesday, around 21 days before a flight. Shop for clothes on a Thursday night, six to eight weeks after a new fashion roll-out. Nab your recessionista wedding dress between Thanksgiving and Christmas. SmartMoney.com has a guide to the best time to buy everything as well.
