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Dear Corporate Governess
I'm going through a bunch of interviews for a contract job and am wondering when to discuss salary. Is it okay on the second round?
—Kelly N., Toronto
Dear Kelly
In a 2014 survey of over 300 senior managers by California-based staffing agency Robert Half, about 38% thought it was okay for candidates to ask about money during the first two interviews. But while a lot of companies might find this acceptable—since it immediately allows them to tell whether a candidate is affordable—is it really the best thing for you to do? After all, you could easily blow your chances by coming off as rude rather than confident.
"It's like walking into someone's house and saying, 'What's for dinner?'" says Gary P. Latham, a professor at University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. Instead, he says you should build the love: The more time and effort employers put in looking over the applicant, the more committed they are about hiring. So go ahead and let them put in the effort.
When the employer is ready to talk about salary, be prepared. Do some research on sites such as Glassdoor Canada to get an idea on ranges, but always let the other side make the first offer. "If you say it first, you'll never know if they would have offered something higher. Once the offer is on the table, it's okay to up it by another 5% to 7%. And, at that point, you're likely to get it."
Dear Corporate Governess
I'm a recent immigrant, and my culture considers it rude to be pushy. But I'm frustrated that my ideas aren't being heard. How do I learn to speak up?
—Miko T., Toronto
Dear Miko
As a third-generation Canadian, I thought it better to ask someone who's been there and succeeded. Ratna Omidvar, a professor at Ryerson's Ted Rogers School of Management, has not only lived your experience, she's shy as well. While she encourages you to stay true to yourself, she also believes it's important to find your voice. "Start by asking questions. When a shy person asks a question, people take it seriously. Because we're such polite Canadians, the team will respond. And so you bring yourself to their attention, not as someone who has lots to say, but as someone who has intelligent questions," she says.
To improve your grammatical and idiomatic English, Omidvar recommends listening to the radio—particularly CBC Radio One, which has more conversation than music. It will also ground you in local issues. Then take some public speaking courses, as Omidvar did: "I was petrified but after a few times, it was easier. There's nothing like sitting with others who share the same shyness but all want to come out of their shell."
You could try to find a mentor in your organization or take a colleague out for a coffee. There's nothing quite like finding a friend, and that can work for anyone.