How to respond to a salary question

(via virtualvocations)

Anon asks...

How do I respond to the salary question as a potential intern?

I am a law student and going to make my first internship abroad in a big law firm in Switzerland. They asked me about my expectation of the salary, I didn't even expect that this internship would be paid. What can I say?

(via Ivyexec)

The Naked Listener writes...

In other words, "what are your salary requirements?"

Always kick off with the feel-good phrase "I ask only for a moderate pay" -- meaningless, of course, but sets a nice tone for starting negotiations. You're an intern, so you can't expect a full-fledged lawyer's remuneration package. You want to get your foot in the door first, so let's not haggle over prices. The door first, the money afterwards (or later).

Once they offer you "X" amount, then start showing your "commitment to the cause" with this spiel:-

"That's very kind of you. I would really like to be 100% into the firm when over there, so this level will be reasonably enough to get by for a foreigner like me in Switzerland, yes?"

Hopefully, they'll be honest with you at that point. If they say something like "No, you'll have to cover your expenses with [freelancing]" then the decision will be made for you to take up or reject.

But much more importantly, will the firm offer you paid accommodation? If you're there and you have to fork out for quarters, then it's an impossible job. (You may or may not still take up the offer because of this.)

Some extra tips:-

(via best-job-interview.com)

31 Dec 2014

(via)

Unmotivated to make a hundred grand, what to do?

"I set a goal to make $100k a year, which is doable but the nature of the job is boring. I don't have any options aside from this job, and I have no degree or credentials. Mindful of this, I'm still not motivated, yet very unhappy about currently making no money. What can I do?"

The Naked Listener writes...

You want to make a hundred grand a year and you could do it, but then again you're unmotivated. Then I don't know how my answer could spur an unmotivated person to get going. The person has to be motivated to some degree at the outset, otherwise the whole thing is a non-starter.

In short, if you don't have the motivation, it isn't doable.

If you're happy enough making no money right now, then you're okay, so why bother thinking about the hundred grand or the job unless you're motivated in some way?

If you're unhappy about making no money and if the job is the only one virtually open to you (because of whatever reason), then make a decision to go for it or not. If you go for it, that means you're not exactly unmotivated as you claim. If you don't go for it, then the matter is solved -- you're happy as you are.

Written 26 Aug 2015

(via)

Image via Wikipedia