Monthly Archives: October 2015

PayRaise

Top Ten Strategies to Win That Pay Rise

You work hard. You pitch in, contributing to your company’s bottom line, giving it your best, all day, every day. No one should expect to get paid more just for showing up, but you’ve been performing well, things are running smoothly, and by golly, you deserve a pay rise. It’s time to ask for one. Hold on a second, however. Asking for a salary increase is probably justified, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get one.

Pay rates and salaries can be difficult for bosses and managers to discuss, especially during uncertain economic times or during very busy seasons. What steps can you take before requesting a bigger number on your paycheck to improve your chances of getting what you ask for?

Here are ten proven strategies to use when requesting a pay rise:

1. Know Where You Stand

Google your industry and job title to see what others in your field are earning as a baseline, fair market comparison. Take your location, your experience, and your industry into consideration. If your salary is on par with the norm, you’d best keep your request modest. If you’re falling behind on the salary scale, it may be a good time request a rise in pay.

2: Consider Your Assets

Everyone has skills. Review yours before making a request. Don’t limit the list to your job title. Include everything that contributes to your overall performance. Special skills that you bring to the job make you more valuable than your title suggests. Completing a free skills review can help highlight your skills and determine your eligibility for Recognition of Prior Learning, supporting your request with skills recognition from things learned in the classroom, on the job, or in everyday life, and earning you a pay bump.

3: Before the Performance Review

Make your request as early as three to four months in advance of scheduled performance reviews. Bosses are generally not receptive to surprise requests, and raises are frequently decided well before the review. Calling attention to your performance prior to budgeting and salary decisions will improve your results.

4: Be Aware of Timing

It’s much easier to grant a pay rise during favorable economic times, especially if you’ve been meeting or exceeding expectations. If the company is in the midst of a big change, or your boss is extremely busy, it may be smart to wait for a more settled time to make your request.

5: Be Realistic

Doubling your salary sounds wonderful. For most employees, however, that’s not realistic. Unless you are engaged in an industry like financial services or computer software, the average increase for most sectors remains between three and four percent per year.

6: Prepare to Negotiate

Getting to yes may take a bit of back and forth discussion. Decide ahead of time what the range of an acceptable increase would be, and how you will respond to offers that fall short.

7: Have A Backup Plan

If the answer to your request is no, remember that it may have nothing to do with performance and everything to do with budgets. When there is simply no possibility of initiating a pay increase, bring up the option of taking extra days off, receiving increased training, or getting perks like parking or health club benefits as possible alternatives.

8: Use Your Most Durable Smile

Even when things don’t go your way, make sure to smile. Thank your boss for listening, and use your most diplomatic voice as you close the discussion. Aggressive or whiny behavior will not change the decision, and may adversely influence future requests.

9: Improve Your Future Chances

When a request for a pay increase must be refused, it can be helpful to ask for guidance. Ask for suggestions and hard performance targets that might change the answer on future requests.

10: Convince Yourself

After making an honest critique of your efforts, you should be armed with the right tools to believe in yourself, convincing the most important person in the room that you deserve a pay rise. Now, you’re really ready. Let’s go!

TradeRecognition

Can you achieve trade recognition through RPL?

One might think that achieving trade recognition through RPL sounds way too easy and good to actually be true, however, the facts speak for themselves – it’s very possible for Australian tradies to attain formal recognition using RPL, and they could be achieving it in weeks.

You might already be working in your industry. You’ve probably dedicated years or decades to your trade, are skilled in what you do, and do it for a living. However, despite your extensive experience and skill sets, you might not have the formal qualification to go with your expertise.

This is a common struggle for many skilled yet unqualified Australian workers – the knowledge that despite doing the work of a tradesperson, they aren’t formally recognised as such, having never completed an apprenticeship or acquired a qualification. Many in the industry consider them labourers who aren’t “real tradespeople”. Others simply accuse them of not “doing their time”.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Having accumulated years (or even decades) of experience, they’ve dedicated just as much of their time, if not more so, than their qualified counterparts. Fortunately for them, there are options available for achieving formal recognition without the need for 3-5 years of classroom study, learning what they already know.

As the process through which skills and experience are assessed by a panel of industry and educational experts, ‘trade recognition’ allows workers who have skills and experience in a trade but have never completed an apprenticeship or gained a certificate, the opportunity to be awarded a trade-related certificate.

Instead of being a replacement for apprenticeships and training courses, however, skills or trade recognition merely provides another avenue for already skilled and experienced Australians to achieve formal recognition in a time and cost-effective way, acknowledging the extensive experience and service an individual has dedicated to their industry, without the need to spend tens of thousands of dollars studying.

While applications are considered on a case by case basis and eligibility requirements differ from qualification to qualification, the completion of a Certificate III in the related trade is usually the minimum requirement. This may be accomplished through Recognition or Prior Learning (RPL).

Introduced by the government in the 1990s, RPL has made is easier for Australians to achieve formal recognition through the issuing of Nationally Recognised Qualifications, bypassing unnecessary modes of study which aim to develop skills and knowledge that the candidate has already developed through experience.

Because these qualifications are usually issued from Certificate III and above, it is very possible for candidates to use these RPL-acquired qualifications to apply for formal trade recognition, especially when the qualification’s units verify that the candidate has proficiency in the required core and elective units.

You can find out more about attaining trade recognition through RPL here.

Think you have what it takes to achieve trade recognition through RPL?

Take our free skills review to see whether you’re eligible.

Looking to get licensed in your trade? Find your relevant state licensing body.

 

CHAFTA

(Infographic) ChAFTA: How to Improve your Employment Prospects

Note: Please note that Get Qualified Australia is neither involved in nor endorses the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. As Australia’s leading Skills Recognition & RPL Specialist, it seeks to improve the employment prospects of Australian workers through skills recognition services and the issuing of Nationally Recognised Qualifications.

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has caused much controversy since being signed in June 2015, particularly within industries directly affected by the Agreement. However, despite the apparent backlash, it is important to consider whether the Agreement really poses as great a risk to Australian jobs and workplace safety as presumed, or whether there are ways to bypass and limit the potential negative repercussions the Agreement may have on the above factors, by working it to the advantage of Australian workers.

Want to know more about ChAFTA and how to improve your employment prospects? Read more here.

ChAFTA_Agreement_Infographic (4)

CHAFTA

ChAFTA: Facts and How to Improve your Employment Prospects

Note: Please note that Get Qualified Australia is neither involved in nor endorses the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. As Australia’s leading Skills Recognition & RPL Specialist, it seeks to improve the employment prospects of Australian workers through skills recognition services and the issuing of Nationally Recognised Qualifications.

View the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement Infographic here.

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) has caused much controversy since being signed in June 2015, particularly within industries directly affected by the Agreement. However, despite the apparent backlash, it is important to consider whether the Agreement really poses as great a risk to Australian jobs and workplace safety as presumed, or whether there are ways to bypass and limit the potential negative repercussions the Agreement may have on the above factors, by working it to the advantage of Australian workers.

To grasp this concept better, it is important to first look at the implications of the Agreement.

At the heart of ChAFTA lies the streamlining of relevant skills assessment processes for temporary skilled labour visas, including a reduction of the number of occupations currently subject to mandatory skills assessment.

This means that Chinese workers looking to apply for an Australian Temporary Work (Skilled) 457 visa, will not be subject to mandatory skills assessment for ten prescribed occupations. These occupations include:

Automotive Electrician [321111]

Cabinetmaker [394111]

Carpenter [331212]

Carpenter and Joiner [331211]

Diesel Motor Mechanic [321212]

Electrician (General) [341111]

Electrician (Special Class) [341112]

Joiner [331213]

Motor Mechanic (General) [321211]

Motorcycle Mechanic [321213]

The removal of assessment practices leaves many questions for Australian tradies, predominantly:

- What safety measures will ensure that Aussie workers have access to job opportunities in Australia?
- What safeguards will ensure that safety standards in Australian workplaces are maintained?

In order to be able to answer these questions, one must first ponder the facts.

Fact 1) Shortage of skilled and qualified labour
Under the Agreement, a Chinese company investing more than $150 million in Australian infrastructure projects must use Australian workers unless the company can prove that there are no existing qualified Australian workers to do the job.

This means that Chinese workers may only be considered for job purposes if there is a shortage of skilled and qualified Australian workers for any given task. Even so, the company or investor may only bring in a limited number of qualified overseas workers who possess the specific skill sets required for the job, and only for a limited period of time when suitable local workers cannot be found.

Summary Points:

– Skilled and qualified Australian workers given job priority
– Chinese workers only brought if there are no qualified Australian workers to do the job
– Limited number of qualified overseas workers may be brought in

Fact 2) Skilled and qualified Chinese workforce

In the event that there is a shortage of qualified Australian workers, any foreign employees brought in must possess all the necessary skills and qualifications required to do the job. The Agreement does not modify the existing experience, skill and qualification-based requirements that foreign workers must possess when applying for a temporary skilled visa, but rather only proposes the removal of mandatory skills assessment procedures by Trade Recognition Australia, within the ten listed occupations.

This means that applicants must still demonstrate to the Department of Immigration that they possess the requisite skills and experience to work in the country, by supplying evidence of work history, qualifications and documents which demonstrate their English language skills. Should the candidate insufficiently prove their competency, or if further verification is required, they must undergo an additional skills assessment conducted by a registered training organisation (RTO) approved by Trades Recognition Australia.

Summary:

– ChAFTA does not change required qualification requirements and skill levels of foreign workers
– 457 visa applicants need required skills, qualifications and experience to work safely in Australia, and adhere to all visa requirements
– Further assessment may be conducted to verify skill levels and competency by a TRA-approved RTO

Fact 3) Maintenance of licensing requirements and safety standards

Because Chinese workers are subject to the same qualification and skill-based requirements as Australian workers, and hold the necessitated levels of competency, the Agreement does not change and/or diminish the licensing requirements or safety standards of Australian workplaces. Competent workers equate to competent work, less hazards, and maintenance of safety standards.

Summary:

– Licensing and qualification requirements maintained
– Safety standards maintained

How to sustain your employability in the face of ChAFTA

Because Chinese workers within major infrastructure projects can only secure positions in which there are no skilled and qualified Australian workers to do the job, it is important for each Australian employee to possess the right skill sets and qualifications to achieve consideration for projects, and essentially, keep their jobs.

If you do not have the required qualifications to work in your industry and wish to either achieve recognition for your existing skills and experience or simply expand the fields in which you are currently qualified, you may do so by attaining a Nationally Recognised Qualification. Attaining a qualification doesn’t have to take years, and can often be done within weeks, from the comfort of your own home.

As a credible method of gaining certification, Skills Recognition & RPL allows you to convert your existing skills, knowledge and experience into a qualification by supplying evidence of your competency against the core and electives units of your desired qualification. This means you’ll be attaining formal recognition for what you already know and are proficient in, whilst proving to employers that you are a skilled, qualified and experienced worker with full competency to work in Australian workplaces.

Qualifying our Aussie workforce will ensure that the need for foreign workers is lessened, the Australian workforce is qualified and given priority jobs, and each individual employee achieves the competitive edge required to remain employable in the face of ChAFTA.

Think you’re eligible to convert your skills and experience into a Qualification? Take our Free Skills Review to find out!

CareerChange

How to change your career during middle age

People often feel nervous when entering a career for the first time, and for good reason. No practical knowledge, no experience and no familiarity. Now imagine how it feels to break free from a job you have grown accustomed to and test the waters in something completely new. Your prior experience may be completely irrelevant and your age may even factor in to the decision. However, there are many ways to take advantage of your past and use it to better your future career development. Here are some of the best ways to successfully change career when you’re middle aged.

Show your passion
Though you may have lost passion for your last job, don’t be afraid to show how much you care about your new one! Perhaps it’s something that you’ve longed to do your entire life – or something you just discovered recently. Either way, demonstrating how passionate you are about the industry or cause will make you a far better candidate for a job.

Take pride in your experience
No matter your previous career; find a way to use your previous experience in your new workplace. Whether it’s a past leadership role, knowledge of how to repair a printer or create a brochure – use it to your advantage. Don’t be ashamed to admit you have more experience in a different industry, because you never know when the knowledge and skills may come in handy.

Be open to change
Change is a part of life, and nothing stays the same forever. When you change from one career to another, especially later in life, it can be difficult to stray from old habits and develop new ideas. However, the key to success is to embrace change. If you left a supervisory position to start in an entry level one, make it your goal to enjoy less responsibility and work your way up. If you feel anxious in a new environment, find a way to make it your own. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to suggest a change or improvement if one is needed. As an older employee with experience in the workforce, you may know a more efficient and effective way to get things done.

Get qualified
If you don’t feel confident and think you’re underqualified for your new career path, why not obtain a qualification? You can even study online without taking a break from paid work. Short courses allow you to up skill with ease. Earning more relevant qualifications combined with your prior experience will make you a much better candidate for a career change during middle age.

Obtain recognition
By using Get Qualified Australia, you can go through your set of skills and experience and gain recognition and qualifications to match, without ever having to leave your home or take time off work. Take the free three minute Skills Recognition Review to find out where you stand. The whole process generally takes less than four weeks and can be completed from home.

Are you going to work – day in, day out – wondering what life would be like if you pursued your dreams? Are you too scared because you think you’re too old? It’s never too late to change course and follow a path that you believe will lead you to more happiness and enjoyment. Discover what qualifications you didn’t realise you already had under your belt.